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read articles of War and performed Divine Service
on the lower deck, after which the Commdr went on
shore. Went very early to bed.

October 20th Blowing very hard all night with a
nasty loss of a sea on. At 7 sent 2nd gig for Commdr
and he came off with two Officers, bringing a message
for John Kirk, saying if the weather was fine he
would try and come on board: anxiously looking for
the arrival of the Camilla, to receive my letters from L
and to hear how my cut throat patient got on. After
having breakfast Christian and Ross went ashore, as
the Commdr's cabin was being painted. In the evening
we had whist in the Gun room.

October 21st Got up at daylight in full expectation of
seeing the Camilla in sight, but was disappointed.
Blowing so fresh that we could not send a market
boat on shore: at noon the smoke of a Steamer - was
reported in the distance and at 2 PM we made out
the English Mail, and by 4 I got letters from L, M, Anty
Copl and young Ellen with two papers. In the evening
a note from the Commdr for us to be ready for Sea
early tomorrow morning.

October 22nd Every appearance of a Pampero : sent
boat to market. In the forenoon we hove short, and
prepared for sea: Mr Daley Pilot came on board sent boat
for Commdr, and after he came on board we weighed and
steamed out of the Inner Roads, having lighted fires at
3 PM. A fresh gale of wind blowing, with every
appearance of increasing. At 6.30 the gale increasing
we came to an anchor in four fathoms, distant
from Buenos Ayres about 5 miles.