1^8 



A DIARY OF THE 



July 3. — Wind north-westerly and calm ; the 

 morning thick and foggy, but inclined to clear 

 at times on the horizon at sea, with a prospect of 

 better weather. At 1 30' p. m. two guns were 

 distinctly heard from the look-out hill, by the 

 captain and several officers who were there, in 

 the south direction, and apparently not more 

 distant than six or eight miles. Several of us 

 walked along the cliff bordering on the sea, for 

 some miles to the southward, watching anxiously 

 for the weather to clear away, and discover a sail \ 

 but nothing was seen. The mice continued our 

 enemies, and habit in their case did not over- 

 come the annoyance they were to us ; at night 

 particularly, in disturbing our sleep. One of the 

 sentinels was taken ill to-day on his post. No 

 further increase of our sick list. A party of the 

 officers gathered enough wild turnip-tops for our 

 mess dinner, which proved very acceptable. At 

 sunset, discharged arms and cannonade, and re- 

 loaded for the night. All anxiously looking for 

 some relief. A part of our stock of blue lights 

 was placed in the hut on the hill, in case they 

 might be wanted as signals to any ship appearing 

 at sea. 



July 4. — Wind light and w^esterly. This 



