WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. • 131 



sail was reported in sight from the look-out on 

 the hill : this joyful sound opened the ears of 

 all ; and when, after a most anxious examination, 

 through the few glasses we possessed, she was 

 pronounced to be a man-of-war, it was received 

 by a cheer throughout the camp, and every 

 heart expanded with joy at the gladdening 

 prospect at lengtl^ opened to us. Large fires 

 were lighted on the hill, and all possible de- 

 monstration made to show our position. About 

 10 A.M. we had the satisfaction of making out 

 His Majesty's ship Blonde, and observing her 

 hoist her colours, and fire two guns as a signal 

 that we were seen. Orders were now given to 

 prepare for embarkation ; all hands were there- 

 fore employed in removing to the pier our 

 heavy baggage, in which we were much expedited 

 by our having made several sledges adapted to 

 this purpose, and dragged by the crew. To- 

 wards noon four boats were seen to leave the 

 Blonde, but the distance they had to row pre- 

 vented their reaching our little landing place 

 inside the entrance of the river until it was too 

 late to risk any embarkation. The first boat 

 that arrived brought our tried friend Captain 

 Fitzroy, who, agreeing with Captain Seymour on 



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