rice, pale ale, port wine, and
sherry. Finished the long boat's bottom, turned her up, and commenced
raising her two streaks. Employed drying damaged provisions. Water
discovered in the island; and a number of crabs, prawns, and other
shell fish picked up at low water. Several indications of other wrecks
were seen, but exploring parties had not yet straggled far from the
encampment.

_Saturday, 16th._--More provisions were landed this day. In the
evening, large fires were seen on the island to the north, and as
several muskets were discharged on shore away from the camp, and the
people fancied they saw natives, they were hailed and a volley of
musketry discharged, so no more of them were seen. But double watches
were set at night with loaded arms.

[Illustration: Hullmandel & Walton Lithographers.
No. 2.
THE ENCAMPMENT.]

_Sunday, 17th._--This day no business was done, except by the
carpenters, whose work was of the utmost importance to the saving
the lives of upwards of 630 persons, with a scanty stock of
provisions. Divine service was performed on board the Briton by
Captain Sayers of the 80th in presence of the seamen and the troops,
who were regularly paraded for church, and the forms of prayer and
thanksgiving to the Almighty for the preservation of the people's
lives were read. Seven natives made their appearance on the shore to
the southward. Some of them tried to surround two sailors who were
gathering shell fish, but the sailors were too nimble for them. An
officer with a small armed party went in pursuit, but as soon as the
savages saw them they put off from the shore in a canoe, leaving their
fire, and close to it a piece of drift wood and some fish bones. And
at night again some of the natives attempted to approach the
Runnymede, but on being fired at they took themselves off. The
natives appeared to be quite naked and black, and of a robust frame,
with perfectly straight hair. This day also a spring of fresh water
was discovered. The commander sent out detachment orders regulating
the issue of rations and spirits to the troops, and complimenting
Captains Doutty and Hall and their crews, and also the military
officers and soldiers, on their conduct during the hurricane, and also
regretting that the natives should have been fired at, as much benefit
might arise from a conciliatory course, and much mischief from an
opposite one; and ordering that for the purpose of preventing any
rencontre in