SEARCH FOR THE PORPOISE. 
169 
find us again united in the harbour of San Francisco, 
California. 
It was another stormy season as we again put to see 
from Houg-Kong, and we had a most uncomfortable 
time working up against sti’ong northerly gales. As 
already observed, we were bound to the Pescadore 
Islands, and thence around the south cape of Formosa. 
We were hunting for the missing brig, or for a stranded 
plank or floating cask that should tell us of her fate. 
We had little or no data to assist us in this search. A 
black spot pricked upon the chart of the China Sea by 
Commander Rodgers was our only guide. “It was 
there we left her,'' said he: “go and seek our brother- 
ofiicers, and may Heaven prosper your search!” .We 
arrived at the harbour of Makung on the 26th of March, 
and remained there two days. Makung is the largest 
settlement of the Pescadores, and is inhabited by 
Chinese. We communicated with them through our 
Chinese servants, could hear nothing of the Porpoise, 
and left for the coast of Formosa. Upon sighting the 
latter, we were overtaken by a heavy gale, against which 
we tried to steam, but, finding ourselves near founder- 
ing, put up the helm and ran down along the land 
toward a village this side of the south cape. As we 
closed in with the land the wind seemed to head us 
off, and we were glad to reach our destination without 
being blown to sea. 
And now, before I turn to my journal for a few pages 
in regard to our experience while coasting around this 
island, let me enlighten the reader as much as possible 
