Travel Diaries and Journals

dropped from the quarter of the ship & the native succeeded in taking hold of it. 6 seconds longer & he would have been lost. This forenoon made visits round the sick men found most of them improving. 2 men however still remain in a precarious state.

19th Left Kedgeree in tow of the Sydney past Saugor island between 12 & 1 oclock. lost sight of land at 2. OClock. Pilot went left at 4 oclock. I sent letters for home stating that I was of to the Cape & that Barry was to draw my pay & remit Cos. Rs. 50 monthly. Wrote to Fred Bessie & Kate I. This Afternoon boy fell overboard from boat. [illegible?] and bravely lines dropped for him but he struck out from the ship Lascars would scarely help to save him but on being Shouted to from our ship they reached him an oar As soon as he got into the boat he

pitched into the rescue. They took the pilot in & were off. 20th to 23rd Sydney. Left us. nearly on the Latitude of Galle at 6 oclock in the evening.

23 to 25th nearly becalmed since the Sydney left us. 23rd had a bath on deck this morning.

25th saw a shark alongside got out hook baited with pork but did not succeed in catching him. Patients all imp roving in health but grumbling about their rations. Examined Salt beef & found although it looked bad outside that it was very good inside, & that it had been boiled too much. Boat went out this afternoon to Straiten out rope. weather awfully hot. the iron about the Ship can scarcely lay hands on lying nearly becalmed the Sails flapping lazily about tonight a breeze seemed to be

put your minds all at rest in case you have been anxious about me at all. I think I told you in my letter from Sandhead that it would likely be four months before you would get another letter but I am glad to see that I am can have the opportunity of sending this much sooner. You would get my last letter about the end of March or beginning of April & this one I hope will reach you in the be- ginning of June. Now I must begin & give you a short account of our voyage down. The steamer "Sydney" towed us down to the Latitude of "point de Galle" & then left us. for 2 or 3 days after she left we were becalmed. near the line & you may be sure it was hot enough with a Sun coming right down on our heads & not a breath of air stirring add to this that we could not make 20 yards forwards a day for want of wind. There the ship lay rolling lazily about. however at last a breeze did come. We got all sail set & it was quite enlivening to be again dancing lightly over the waves. We crossed the line & got briskly down. Never being becalmed