d inland, but, as on the preceding day,
the enemy retreated and hid themselves, being evidently conscious that
they were unable to cope with so strong a party. The difficult nature
of the country rendered it impossible for them to advance further than
they had done on the previous day, and Captain Rogers was again
compelled to return to the boats, without having effected anything. He
left another boat under Mr Tomkinson, the senior mate, with the same
directions he had given to the lieutenant. In addition, however, he
instructed him that should the natives approach, if possible to get hold
of one or more of them, charging him on no account to fire, unless
attacked. Once more the boats pulled back to the ship. On getting on
board, Jack, finding that the barometer was falling slightly, though the
sky looked as serene as ever, considered it prudent to get a better
offing than on the previous night, intending to stand back in the
morning to pick up Mr Tomkinson's boat. He talked over with his first
lieutenant the possibility of penetrating further into the country with
a larger number of men than he had before landed. Much would depend on
the state of the weather; should it continue calm the larger boats might
go in with guns in their bows, and securely hold the beach against any
number of the inhabitants who might appear, so that a party landing
might advance a considerable distance without fear of being attacked in
the rear.

Their plans were, however, defeated. As the night drew on the weather
began sensibly to change, and fears now began to be entertained that Mr
Tomkinson's boat would not succeed in regaining the ship. Should the
expected gale blow on the shore, it would be necessary for the ship to
gain a good offing as soon as possible. Steam was got up, and her head
was put towards the shore; she slowly made her way back, so as to be as
close in as possible, in the expectation that Mr Tomkinson would,
seeing the change in the weather, pull off to meet her. The lead was
kept going, that she might run no risk of getting into too shallow
water. Just before daylight the captain ordered a gun to be fired, and
another shortly afterwards, which Mr Tomkinson would, of course,
understand as a signal of recall. When at length the gloom of night had
cleared away, the boat was seen pulling off as fast as the crew could
lay their backs to the oars. The ship's head, in the meantime, was put
round, as it would have b