48

44

able to get our letters -

October 2nd At 7 the Health boat came off and put
us fifteen days in Quarantine - wrote a letter to Eversfield
and closed my Quarterly Accounts. At 11 Mr Cooper our Consul
came alongside offering us every assistance during our penance
and requesting us to remain here as there was likely to be a
disagreement between him and the Swedish Consul relative to
a Merchant Brig, towed in by the Avon, for which the Captain
claimed salvage. At noon the Commdr went on board the
Avon, returning at 1 and bringing on board a very pretty
English lady (very much like Anty) her husband and the Mail
Agent, an old Lieutenant of 27 years standing: I at once fattened
on him and tried all my persuasive power to induce him
to open the bag and give us our mail, but all was labour lost;
After looking round the ship, and having a glass of wine
they went away, and soon after the Avon went to Sea with
our letters - In the evening played at pitch and toss on deck

October 3rd arrived two Merchant Vessels - Got fresh beef
and vegetable from the store; heard of a Schooner from Rio
having lost two hands from Cholera - All very dull on board.

October 4th Very hot but managed to shift fan
topsail yard in 15 minutes: dined with Commdr

October 5th. Thermometer 79°. Exercised at General Quarters.
A French Brig went in - Ship rolling heavily. Just in
our scuttles : at 5 weighed and made sail, standing
out to sea - In the evening had a rubber of whisk in
the cabin - Saw a large ship pass under a heavy press of
sail.

October 6th - Cruizing under easy sail - Employed
cleaning ship throughout. After Quarters exercised shifting
foresail, but as it was badly done at first, we repeated