WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 



53 



putting it into casks, proved of the greatest con- 

 sequence to us ; for, although it ran short, the 

 third, and afterwards, as long as it lasted, a 

 fourth, of the established daily allowance was of 

 infinite service to us. The powder cases from 

 the magazines, many of which were got out, 

 were discovered not in every instance to have 

 resisted the wet } yet we fortunately had an 

 ample supply for all our necessities. The wea- 

 ther broke a little towards the evening, but with 

 frequent squalls, attended by heavy rain. 



Sunday^ May 31. — The wind still northerly 

 and fresh, with heavy rain, rendering our camp 

 and tents very uncomfortable. The marsh and 

 fiat round us was much flooded, and gave us 

 some idea of what we might expect, should the 

 winter rains commence before we were enabled 

 to quit our present spot, which had, in several 

 points of view, the appearance of an island. The 

 little stream of water which skirted the base of 

 our camp rose amongst the hills inland, in which 

 direction it partook of the character of a small 

 river ; and a few small fish were occasionally to 

 be seen jumping in its deepest parts. Its increase 

 after rain was considerable \ resuming its ordi- 

 nary size and force on the return of dry weather, 



E 3 



