to the Strait of Magellan. 



55 



following that of our departure for the Strait of Magellan ; so 

 that we had not been able to make observations of lunar dis- 

 tances, in order to examine the state of that time-piece, — an in- 

 dispensable precaution for receiving satisfactory assistance from 

 such machines, which often alter their movements at the mo- 

 ment when it is least expected. 



On the i4th, we were obliged to sail close by the wind, which 

 came away from N.E. to E. ; we were, nevertheless, able to 

 make our course good to the NNW. 5^ W. for five days to- 

 gether, until we got, on the llth, into S. lat. 1 6^, in a position 

 which rendered it absolutely necessary either to sail N. by W., 

 or to make a tack to the eastward, in order to weather Cape St, 

 Augustine, or the coast of Brazil, — a thing which must have hap- 

 pened to few vessels that passed within sight of Trinidad. We 

 were persuaded that, in these latitudes, we should certainly meet 

 with the winds from the SE. quarter, as usually is the case, 

 with clear pleasant weather; but the best judgments in such 

 cases, in these parts, even when best founded, are very uncertain. 

 The heavens continued to be very cloudy, with squalls and rain, 

 as if we had been in the proximity of the Line. On the 18th, how- 

 ever, the wind came round, as we desired, to the SE. quarter, 

 and the atmosphere began to clear up; and, although on the 

 19th it returned again to the NE., with squalls and showers, 

 yet it soon came back to the former point. On the 21st, breezes 

 set-in from the ESE. with a clear sky : the following day we 

 saw a small vessel, to which we gave chace ; but, observing that 

 we did not gain much upon her, and that we were driven out 

 of our course, we gave over the pursuit, and returned to our 

 former point. The sailors, who for a long time back had been 

 without tobacco, had flattered themselves that they would be 

 supplied from the first ship we should meet, especially if she 

 came from Brazil. 



One of our officers, who, believing our expedition might last 

 a couple of years at least, had made large provision of Seville 

 snufF, had frequently relieved their wants with it, which they 

 used to wrap up in paper, having first moistened it, and to smoke 

 as if it had been tobacco in the leaf; but, as there remained of 

 his stock only what: was requisite for himself for five or six 

 weeks, that resource was cut off. No sooner had we abandoned 

 the chace of the vessel, than we perceived how much these 

 poor fellows were mortified ; which, joitied to their daily com- 

 plaints and impatience for some time past, made us ieei that it 

 would be highly proper, especially in lor,g voyages, to take on- 

 board a stock of tobacco on public account, to be distributed 

 among the seamen and marines, according to some fit regula- 

 tions. By this means, much contraband trade would be pre- 



