36 
WEST BAY. 
be, tlie English officers belonging to the squadron have 
ever been received by her with great hospitality and 
kindness. 
The climate is unhealthy even for the natives, except 
in December, January, and February, when it is com- 
paratively dry; though at West Bay it is said there is 
no day throughout the year without rain. Heavy 
mists sweeping round the lofty peaks give addi- 
tional grandeur, and make them sometimes appear as 
if overhanging the bay. After curling and playing 
about the ravines of the mountains, these mists sud- 
denly descend, and deluge the shores. 
We had two new cases of fever here, though slight, 
as have been all those which have occurred since we 
left the Niger. 
lUk — Having taken on board as much wood as 
we could stow — about two thousand billets — and 
water, we sailed in the evening in company with 
H.M. steam vessel ‘ Pluto.’ None of our officers wei’e 
as yet sufficiently recovered to do duty. Wo were in 
such a state that there are few parts of the globe 
where we could have ventured to put to sea. But 
although no bad weather was to be apprehended, we 
had to encounter a fresh head wind ; so that we made 
but slow progress against it. 
\btk — Very fine weather; — a delighful contrast 
to the heavy damp atmosphere of Prince’s, which 
may truly be called the “ watery gem of the ocean.” 
The sick which had hitlicrto been all on dock under 
