6

Mrs. Hughes, a very pleasant little woman, who spoke French
very well: the principal objection was two children, one a
little girl about 5 years old, who was constantly blowing on
a damned brass trumpet, much to my annoyance. At 10.30
weighed and steamed down the river and came to an anchor at
sunset: after all was snug we had a game of Vingt une with
the passengers: and it was twelve o'clock before I turned in-

April 27th At daylight we weighed and steamed down the
river till we arrived near to one of the passes, when we anchored
and sent boats away to launch: in the usual passage there were
only nine feet so of course we could not go through : so we weighed
and crossed to the other side to search for another channel:
raining all day long - In the evening we had a round
game at cards and Mrs Hughes sang part of Norma. Turned
in very early.

April 28th At 6 I was awoke by Mr & Mrs Hughes singing
a duet: Commander went away sounding, and was some
time before he found a passage: on his return we fired a gun
for the gig which had also gone away for the same purpose,
to recall her, and after anchoring and weighing several times
about 4 P.M. came in sight of Bella Vista where we anchored;
and our Passengers and Commdr went ashore, with some of
the Officers. In the evening, we had plenty of mosquitoes, and as
I was left to myself, I shut myself up in my cabin, made it
Saturday night and was sound asleep before ten o'clock -

Sunday April 29th 1855 At 8 some ladies & gentlemen
came on board to see the ship, unfortunately they could
not speak a word of either English or French, so I had much
trouble to explain the different cabins, guns &c, one of them
much taller and stronger than [Janet Dian-die?] At 10 the