146 
TIDAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Wall, during wliich time myself and a boat’s crew nar- 
rowly escaped drowning. My journal says, — 
“At 10 A.M., eveiy^ thing in the shape of provisions, 
■water, ammunition, &c. being in the boat, and the crew 
amply provided ivith pea-jackets and blankets, we shoved 
oft‘ and dropped slowly astern, while the Phenomenon 
herself (the ^old John’)' began laboriously to gather her 
sluggish headway. Soon we heard the engine-bell ring 
four times, (ahead strong,) and then voices began to die 
away and faces to be confused by the increasing dis- 
tance. We were left alone upon the proverbially-trea- 
cherous bosom of the Gulf of Pichili, with a clumsy and 
leaky boat, a six-pounder howdtzer mounted forward, 
a week’s provision, (in case of being lost,) and water 
stowed about in spots, and a dozen ashen oars, one mast 
and sail, with which to protect ourselves against said 
proverbial treachery. 
“Our orders were to anchor wdiere we were left and 
make tidal observations during the day, after which we 
would be picked up by the Phenomenon toward night, 
— a most unpleasant prospect for a cold, raw day. 
Down went the anchor, however, as soon as said Phe- 
nomenon cleared us, over went the lead, and the mono- 
tonous employment commenced. It consisted of sounding 
every ten minutes, the time and depth of water being 
noted in lead-pencil at each cast; and the hours passed 
heavil}' enough, as may be imagined. 
“ It was one of the most quiet days I ever passed, — 
quiet, not only so far as woi'k and noise were concerned, 
but also in the perfect rest of the elements. Hot a pass- 
ing cloud interposed itself between us and the -w^elcome 
