169 



We have fallen in with the garbage of whales near Hood's 

 Island ; whalers have been about there lately. 



I shall anchor in Chatham Bay, in the isle of Cocos ; but 

 for fear of mistake, search both bays ; they are but a few- 

 miles aparte 



(Signed) D. 



Lieutenant Downes had not been there, as every thing 

 remained as we had left it ^ nor were there any traces of 

 any other person's having been there since we had left the 

 island. Next day I went on board the Policy, accompa-. 

 riied by most of the officers ; and, after the funeral service 

 of the church had been read by Mr. Adams, the body of 

 doctor Miller was committed to the deep. 



On the 27th we were abreast Cape Essex, or the south 

 head of Albemarle ; and as I intended now to go over the 

 cruising-ground of whalers with great care, in order that 

 none should escape me, I caused the prizes to spread oif in 

 different directions, keeping at signal-distance, and there 

 to keep a good lookout, with orders to make a signal to me 

 in the event of their discovering any strange vessel. I 

 however directed them to close in with the Essex at night, 

 to guard against separation. 



Benjamin Geers on this day departed this life, after an 

 illness of about two hours. He complained of a violent 

 pain in his breast, was constantly calling for water, and died 

 m violent convulsions, frothing very much at the mouth. 

 His death could not be well accounted for ; many were of 

 opinion, and myself among others, that he had taken arsenic ; 

 and yet we could assign no reason for his doing so, as he al- 

 ways appeared perfectly happy and contented. He was a 

 "valuable man on board the ship, and his death was much 

 regretted. 



On the afternoon of the 28th, as we were standing to 

 the northward with the Montezuma in tow, the Barclay 

 looking out on our starboard, and the Policy on our lar- 

 board quarter, the men on the lookout on board the Essex 

 discovered a sail right ahead, and immediately the Monte- 

 zuma was cast off, and all sail made in chase. At sunset 

 we could see her plainly from deck, and, as she was standing 

 from us with all the sail she could crowd, I entertained no 

 hopes of coming up with her in the night, as I had no doubt 



VOL !• 22 



