388 JOURNAL OF A 
large for her class, rated at eighteen guns, but carrying twenty- 
six, with a roomy cabin, state-room, and quarter-galleries. 
A boat having been sent to some distance, to procure fish for 
Captain Forbes, we were detained on board till long after sunset, 
when Captain Rich accompanied us on board the Zebra, in his 
own boat. The anchor was now discovered to be foul, and it 
lasted a considerable time, before we were disengaged, and could 
set sail. At length, the buoy-rope being cut, we launched forth. 
I had meanwhile enjoyed the pleasure of long contemplating one 
of the finest nocturnal views ever seen. The peaks of the great 
mountain were enveloped in black clouds, of threatening aspect, 
but appearing stationary. The full moon distinctly showed the 
whole outline of tlie island, illumining the edges of the many loose 
airy clouds, which, disengaging themselves from the grand mass, 
by degrees spread over the heavens. The Racoon in the fore- 
ground, with the play of the distant surf and of the nearer waves,, 
enlightened by the moon's rays, added greatly to the enchanting 
beauty of the scene. As the wind rose with the increase of clouds, 
we did not carry much sail during the night. 
10th. Being Sunday, the Captain read prayers on deck. The 
service was conducted with the greatest order and solemnity. 
Immediately after, a strange sail was announced, which proved 
to be a large merchantman, coming from the east-ward, and stand- 
ing athwart our course. This is the first vessel we have seen at 
sea, since we left the Cape. 
15th. Porpoises and albicores were frequently about the ship, 
and by the appearaiice of the clouds, calms and squalls were ex- 
pected. A heavy shower overtook us about noon, and the sailors 
gained a good deal of fresh watei for washing, 
luth. A water-spout appeared in the south-west, the course of 
which we watched for some time, but it passed a great way a- 
stern of us. The south-east trade-wind had remained steady and 
fair, to this day, but after a violent shower at noon, it suddenly 
fell calm, and we began to fear, that wt? had got into the region of 
