76

72

and refitting.

January 23rd - Again a wet morning, spoiling
all our paint work. Put a stop to the Burn Boats
coming alongside on account of Diarrhoea in the vessel,
much to the annoyance of the men - At 9 a
signal for the Commander from the Flag Ship. In
the forenoon we were busy painting. Commdr
dined on board Flag Ship. In the evening the Ex
Flag Lieut with two other Officers came on board
supped, smoked, and went to their own
ship in a shower of rain -

Janurary 24th. Raining again in the early part
of the morning - At 9 it cleared up a little and the
sun came out very hot. After dinner a party was
formed to walk up the Cacavado a distance
of some eight miles. In the evening it came out to
rain very fast.

January 25th A dull sultry morning and by ten
raining like fun, washing our fresh paint away
like gossamer. In the forenoon a small Brazillian
Steamer of War came in.

January 26th At 4 aroused by hearing fire bells
ringing from the different Churches on shore, and our
boats being called away manned & armed : on going
on deck saw a fine blaze about the proximity of
a theatre, but unfortunately there was not any
breeze to increase the flame: but by 8 when one of our
Officers returned it was only one very large house,
that was destroyed, a Portuguese Theatre. After