s been reported
to-day, several of the men on board, and of the mechanics and labourers
on shore being affected with ulcers of the hospital gangrene kind. One
seaman of the Eden, has had his leg amputated above the knee, in
consequence of the nature of the ulceration. Having gone on shore this
morning, I had the pleasure of finding the works in rapid progress; the
floor plates were being laid in one of the frame houses; the roof of a
large saw-pit was also being put on; while a great part of the labourers
were occupied in bringing up some frames of houses which had lately been
landed from the transport. We were treated to-day with a monkey for
dinner, cooked in the manner of an Irish stew, with yams as a substitute
for potatoes: I must admit that I found it by no means a disagreeable
food, which is not to be wondered at from its being a very clean animal,
living on vegetable substances. Our fishermen have taken one green, and
one hawksbill turtle; also a skate, weighing ninety pounds; and two
buckets full of other fish of various descriptions, principally mullet.

Lieutenant Vidal brought a native on board, charged with the following
crimes: namely, stealing a dinner knife from on board the steam-vessel;
and an attempt, in conjunction with others, to plunder our forge, on
Adelaide Island. Lieutenant Vidal, fortunately passing in that
direction, observed a canoe lying on the beach. This he secured. The men
belonging to it, however, contrived to make their escape in another
canoe, but left behind them two of their hats. The prisoner had the
audacity to venture on board the steam-vessel, in hopes of recovering
the lost canoe; he was immediately attempted to be seized, but he
contrived, in consequence of his greasy skin, to give our men the slip,
and effect his escape. Yet he was not deterred from making a second
attempt, having, as he imagined, sufficiently disguised himself with a
different hat and head-dress; but he was immediately recognised, and,
having been enticed into the cabin, effectually secured. Captain Owen
ordered him to be put into irons, with the intention of keeping him
under confinement for a week, and then dismissing him with some slight
punishment.

_Wednesday, 5_.--A brig was observed in the offing which had the
appearance of a slaver. The steam-vessel was immediately ordered in
chase, and returned in the evening, reporting her to be an English brig,
from Liverpool, bound for the Cameroons.

_Thursda