has taken me nearly all day to finish my skinning. They have been away in the boat to-day, and got another seal.
Wednesday, August 30.—Heavy N.W. gale, and gloomy dark weather. They have been out with the boat to-day, and got two seals. The poor dog got dreadfully torn with one of them, but I believe it did not damp his courage in the least. He fastened to the next one more savagely than he has ever done before. He is a noble brute, weighs about 90 lbs., and is as courageous as a lion; still he is no match for those large seals, one of which would soon kill him were not some person on the spot immediately to knock it down. He is, however, of the greatest service in finding and holding them. It is one month to-day since we left Invercargill, and a long dreary month it has been to me; and how much longer we shall be humbugging till we get a chance of starting I don't know. Barometer 29⋅15.
Thursday, August 31.—Strong northerly gale, and constant heavy rain till 6 p.m., when the rain ceased and died away, and the sky broke, showing every indication of a S.W. wind, as also a low barometer, 29⋅80, which I have never known to fail here. Notwithstanding the heavy rain, Captain Cross and two men went in the boat to look for seal, and had the good luck to kill six. I have undertaken to skin another young one for stuffing. This I intend to present to Mr. Macpherson, if he will accept of it.
