180 
PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
miums, and to his providential care may be attributed in a great 
measure the extraordinary health we have all to this period en¬ 
joyed. 
I ran close in for Charles’ Island, and sent the boat on shore 
with the following note, to be left in the bottle, and on her return 
bore away for Albemarle. 
May 25th, 1813. 
After vain attempts to get to the continent, I am again brought 
back by the current to Charles’ Island. I shall make the best of 
my way to Banks’ Bay, and shall there look around Rodando and 
the Culpeppers; and from thence (to make sure work of it) I 
shall proceed for the island of Cocos, as our want of water makes 
this absolutely necessary. If, however, it should so happen that 
the current should change, and the wind should favour us in an 
uncommon degree, I shall proceed agreeably to my original in¬ 
tentions ; but should wish you to touch at Cocos, where it is 
likely you may find me, or at all events you will know if I have 
been there ; and if it is attended with no other advantage, you 
will be enabled to fill your water. Should you not hear of me at 
Cocos, you may naturally conclude that I have gone to the ap¬ 
pointed rendezvous on the continent. 
We have fallen in with the garbage of whales near Hood’s 
Island ; whalers have been about there lately. 
I shall anchor in Chatham Bay, in the Isle of Cocos ; but for 
fear of mistake, search both bays; they are but a few r miles 
apart. 
(Signed) D. P. 
Lieutenant Downes had not been there, as every thing re¬ 
mained as we had left it; nor were there any traces of any other 
person’s having been there since we had left the island. Next 
day I w 7 ent on board the Policy, accompanied by most of the offi¬ 
cers ; and, after the funeral service of the church had been read 
by Mr. Adams, the body of doctor Miller was committed to the 
deep. 
On the 27th we were abreast cape Essex, or the south head 
of Albemarle; and as I intended now to go over the cruizing- 
ground of whalers with great care, in order that none should 
