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