384 FIRST SIGHT OF NORFOLK ISLAND, 
comfortless and, to most of our people, a sleepless, 
night. For several days did this state of things 
continue ; at length some of the convalescents 
began to appear on deck, which soon became 
studded with smiling faces. 
;»■ Friday, June 6th. — Land ho ! I forgot to note 
in the proper place that, shortly after leaving 
Pitcairn, we changed the day of the week, that is, 
we went forward a day; so that that week had but 
six days ; this was done to make our hebdomadal 
calendar coincide with that of New South Wales. 
Well, then, on Friday, according to the new ar- 
rangement, we made Norfolk Island. But it was 
a long way off. The wind not being fair, we 
made but slow progress, and night closing in 
upon us, hid the land from view. During the 
night a very heavy squall struck the ship, and 
caused some consternation among the more timid; 
the lightning also was very vivid. 
Saturday, June 7th. — The land some twenty- 
five miles distant ; the weather cloudy, with pass-; 
ing showers; a sail m shore — at noon exchanged 
signals with her. It is H.M.S. Herald, and is, 
no doubt, engaged sounding round the island, 
as she occasionally hove to. ■ For picturesque 
beauty, Norfolk Island is not to be compared 
with Pitcairn 1 s. At sunset pretty handy to 
Phillip's Island, which is some six miles from 
Norfolk Island, which by way of eminence is 
generally called the main land. Another night 
must be passed on board, but in all probability 
we shall land to-morrow. Squally weather 
through the night ; and, being close to the shore, 
it was a night of anxiety to most on.boardj and 
