spoilt; our ammunition damaged; the chronometers down; and both boats so
stoved and strained as to be quite beyond our powers of repairing them
effectually. Moreover from want of water we were compelled to make for
the main before we could return back to Bernier Island to recruit from
our ample stores there.

REPAIR OF THE BOATS.

Nothing however could be done but to have the boats rendered as seaworthy
as possible and, having given this order, the want the men experienced
for water was the best guarantee that they would execute this task with
the utmost diligence. As soon as I saw them at their work I started with
a party in search of water whilst another party under Mr. Smith dug for
it; and Mr. Walker superintended the rearrangement of the stores and the
digging up the seaweed for the purpose of recovering lost articles. I
returned just before nightfall from a vain search; Mr. Smith had been
equally unsuccessful in his digging operations, and we thus had to lie
down upon the sand parched with thirst, our only chance of forgetting our
misfortunes being a few minutes sleep.

THE BOATS NEARLY READY.

March 2.

The men continued working hard at the boats, and it appeared that their
task would be concluded this day. I once more started to look for water
and to examine the island; but our search was again unsuccessful. On
measuring the distance that the sea had risen I found that it had spread
up in the direction of our boats fifty-three yards above high water mark;
but what will give a better idea of the hurricane is the circumstance of
my catching a cormorant on the beach, about seven o'clock on the morning
of the 1st, and during the height of the storm, the bird not even
attempting to fly, being in appearance completely appalled at the
violence of the wind. It was reported to me at night that another hour's
work in the morning would render the boats fit for sea.

Sunday March 3.

The men had slept but little during the night for they were oppressed
with thirst; and when I rose in the morning I saw evident symptoms of the
coming of another roasting day. They were busy at the boats as soon as
they could see to work, whilst Mr. Smith and myself ascended the cliffs
to get a view towards the main. When I looked down upon the calm and
glassy sea I could scarcely believe it was the same element which within
so short a period had worked us such serious damage. To the north-east we
could see the lofty white sandhills i