116 



A DIARY OF THE 



list had happily continued low in number, there 

 were many amongst the crew who were suffering 

 from rheumatic attacks, the effects of the con- 

 stant exposure to damp. Another reconnoisance 

 was made of the wreck, which continued much 

 as it had been in the former visit. Many In- 

 dians, strangers to us, from the southward, were 

 engaged in examining it. The annoyance of the 

 mice continued incessant, frequently obliging 

 the crew to rise in the night to drive them from 

 their beds, and preventing the possibility of get- 

 ting rest. A few fish were again taken in the 

 evening. At night, the weather moderate and 

 cloudy : wind n.w. 



June 21. — Cloudy, foggy morning. Mus- 

 tered the crew by the open list. The Consul de- 

 spatched a man to Conception, via Arauco, with 

 letters. A brig hove in sight this morning from 

 the signal-post ; but, though we used all our en- 

 deavours to attract her attention, they were un- 

 successful 5 and we had the disappointment of 

 losing sight of her at dusk. The night promised 

 to be calm and quiet. 



June 22. — Moderate and cloudy weather, 

 with an appearance of rain : the wind northerly. 

 The crew employed road-making, and clearing 



