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133

In the evening, had a game at Ecarte by which
I lost a bottle of Beer: it was a most miserable
night, blowing, sleeting and very cold, so I turned
in as soon as I could be spared.

September 27th The same sort of weather with even
stronger squalls than yesterday. In the forenoon the
Commdr went on board the Star for ultimate orders.
On his return all boats were hoisted up, and we hove
short, and at 11.30 weighed and made sail, with
a strong SE gale blowing, fortunately fair, but to which
we had very soon to shorten sail. It was quite a change
for us, and at one time there were evident symptoms
of Sickness, as there was a little bubble of a sea on.
In the evening, after coming to an anchor, furling
sails, we had a game at Ecarte in the gun room and
having drank to the health of Sweethearts & lovers, not
forgetting all absent friends in some hot brandy and
water, qualifieid by a pipe, and having put fresh
dressing on my patients throat, I was very happy
to get below the rug, as the weather was very cold.

Sunday September 28th River Plate.
Weather very miserable and all in the ship
much the same. My patient rather better but of
course very weak. At 10 went to Divisions & performed
Divine Servie on the lower deck. At 3 the Commdr
dined with us, and as the evening was very dull,
damp, and dirty, I very soon turned in.

September 29th A little improvment in the weather
and my patient doing as well as we could expect,
there was no probability of the wound healing by the first