zon, now beautifully adorned by the rays of the rising sun.
After having passed a reef of some extent, which was left on the larboard hand, we experienced a south-easterly swell, and as we had to haul more up, the spray dashed incessantly over us, rendering us not only very uncomfortable, but doing much injury, particularly to the biscuit.
About eleven o'clock, A.M., we reached the island, and our first care was to spread out the biscuit to dry; those who were in the other boats followed our example, although some thoughtless youngsters, being about to amuse themselves, as if on a party of pleasure, had to be reminded of their duty. As our mast, the top-gallant studding-sail boom, had already been sprung, it was fished with an oar; and our boat was fitted, in a temporary way, with a tarpawling bulwark.
In the meantime, the cook was busy in the exercise of his vocation; a fire was kindled, and a pig (two having found their way into the boat) was killed, and dressed for dinner; to which we assembled with keen appetites, in a romantic spot, shaded from the sun by the luxuriant foliage of a natural grove. The resemblance, in some respects, to a pic-nic party, tended to exhilarate our spirits; and the sailors, who in general have much repugnance to alloy present enjoyment by any cares about the future, were quite happy and jocose.
Dinner being finished, we prepared to renew our
