37

Friday 7th [underlined] (Continued)
all the afternoon, but the wind fell away after
tea & at 10 p.m. sails were taken in, & the anchor
let go in 8 fms. water. Had a miserable night on
the hatch, between the rolling of the boat & endeavoring
to keep our blankets from the heavy dew which was
falling. Sometimes Mr Basedow & I appeared to be standing
on our heads, & the next moment on our feet.
Saturday 8th [underlined] We were both glad when daylight came.
We were sailing with a light breeze. Had a narrow
escape about 11a.m. The lugger was bowling along
at a fair pace & the skipper & 3 of us were yarning
at the companion when a disturbance was noticed by
Mr Brown, on the port bow, which proved to be a semi-
circular reef running for some 2 or 3 miles. The tiller
was put hard over & we sailed around the end of it.
After lunch the skipper & 3 black-boys had a swim over
the side, which was rather amusing. Jambutch, the
new hand didn't care for it, but it was thought necessary
that he should be cleansed in some way, (as we had seen
evidence of it in the hold) so he was told to get into the
dinghy - Bubs accompanying him & pouring water over him
from the sea bucket. They all looked the cleaner & better
for their contact with the salt water. Sailing all night