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increased, and comparative plenty was restored. _Wednesday, 18th._--The Runnymede's mainmast was cut away, and she was shored up with it to make her ride easily, being much shaken by the surf. The Hope was brought on shore, and her deck and false keel taken off, that she might be used for landing provisions and stores. A brig appeared in sight to the southward. The Runnymede made signals, but she passed on without taking any notice. She was supposed to be a country ship. _Friday, 20th._--The island is putting on a spring-like appearance. Verdant spots are here and there to be seen, and the trees are beginning to come into leaf. Even those which were thrown down by the hurricane are struggling for life with the few roots left in the ground, and some of sixty feet high, without branch or top, have shot out small green twigs, forming a curious contrast with their scathed trunks. Melons, limes, and other seeds, sown by the officers, now coming up. Two native canoes took up a position near the north island, and afterwards their people passed along the reef fishing. Captain Doutty counted twenty-four persons on the reef, besides those left in care of the canoes. A soldier of the 50th died in hospital this day of brain fever. _Sunday, 22nd._--Divine service as usual. The poop-awning of the Briton was blown away, and the cuddy filled with water. The weather very rough. _Tuesday, 24th._--The Swinton's jolly-boat was swamped in the surf whilst taking off water-casks. The long-boat went to their assistance, and towed them alongside the schooner. The east end of the north island was covered with natives in search of food; the poor creatures seemed to depend entirely on shell-fish and sea-slug, picked off the reefs, for their subsistence, with occasionally a fish caught with their spears. During bad weather they must suffer much from hunger. _Wednesday, 25th. Christmas Day._--The Swinton left for Moulmein. Mr. Michael returned in her with despatches. The Runnymede's dingy returning from the schooner was capsized in consequence of Thompson, a seaman, falling on one side of her, when Edmund Hutter, a seaman, was drowned, means of resuscitation proving of no avail. Divine service was performed on board the Briton. The tents of the 80th looked very gay, being decorated with green boughs in honour of the day. There was no roast beef, but very good plum-puddings were made without sugar. _Thursday, 26th._--Flies and musquitoes
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