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99

get steam up, and Commdr and some officers went
ashore to shoot play at Caits, and otherwise amuse
themselves. While shaving at 7 AM, heard a report of
fire, and seeing the Corporal pass my cabin, inquired
if there was any danger, but found, it
was merely a quantity of broom stuff, that had been
hung round the funnel to dry, had ignited and
set fire to the topsail yard, and was spreading
to the spare sticks on the booms. At 10 they all
came off, when we again weighed and went toward
the lagoon, and at 20 minutes to one we let
fires go out and made sail - As usual, the same
amount of discontent and growlling. In
the evening played at Drafts-

May 13th A fresh breeze but as usual deadanend
Amusing myself by making out report of Survey on
Invalids, preparatory to going in to Rio. Went to bed
with rigors and next morning felt very unwell.

May 14th Quite unable from Fever to do my duty and
was obliged to keep my bed all day, and at night it
came on to blow so that I passed a very bad night.

May 15th Standing in towards the land of St Sebastian
under all possible sail. At 2 PM the wind headed when
steam was got up, and we steamed round the point, up
the beautiful Straits the weather being beautifully fine and
came to an anchor off the town. Most of the Officers went
ashore to play at charts - Felt a little better

May 16th The morning was very fine the sunrise over the
surrounding mountains was very picturesque: some of my
messmates, went ashore before breakfast to buy Stock and
came off with an ample supply of fowls and ducks - At
9.30 went to General Quarters, afterwards scraped masts