WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 125 



the rain falling heavily. Our camp in a de- 

 plorable condition, and the crew prevented from 

 employment and exercise. The sick not im- 

 proving, and several instances of despondency 

 amongst them. The night promising no pros- 

 pect of fairer weather. 



June 29. — Wind n.w. and n. Still rain- 

 ing, and with no appearance of its clearing. 

 Our camp in a worse state than ever, and 

 our situation becoming hourly more serious and 

 anxious, from our want of comfort and protection 

 for the sick, whose numbers were increasing. 

 Towards evening it rained less heavily, and the 

 crew were employed in cutting fire- wood for the 

 cooks and the hill. At night it was dark and 

 cloudy, with a dense fog. 



June SO. — Wind northerly and n.w. Driz- 

 zling rain, with fog : nothing in sight from 

 the hill. The necessity of drying clothes and 

 bedding had become so great, that the crew were 

 employed in lighting large fires in the neighbour- 

 ing wood, to endeavour to effect this object ; and, 

 though a novel one, and in a damp fog, it suc- 

 ceeded tolerably well. The officers could not 

 now stroll far, and our supply of game w^as at an 

 end. Occasional visits to the Indian hut below 



