t in lieu of
wine. We have now in a manner nothing to live on but what we pick'd up
along the shore: The ship's company agree to go through the Streights of
Magellan.

Sunday the 2d, this morning found the store-tent robbed of brandy, filled
up all the ullage casks, picked up about the rocks abundance of clams, a
shell-fish not unlike our cockles: These fish are at present the support of
our life. The people are now very quarrelsome and discontented.

Monday the 3d, this day having fine weather (which is a prodigy in this
place) launched the boat, and went about the rocks and islands on
discovery. This day we also moved into our new house, it being a very
commodious habitation, exceedingly well thatched; in this dwelling there
are cabins for fourteen people, which are covered inside and out with broad
cloth: This is a rich house, and, in some parts of the world, would
purchase a pretty estate; there are several hundred yards of cloth about
it, besides the curtains and linings, which are shalloon and camblet; in
short, considering where we are, we cannot desire a better habitation. The
people fall into disputes concerning the boat, where we are to proceed with
her, when she is built and ready for going off. It is the opinion of the
navigators, that going through the Streights of Magellan is the safest and
only way to preserve life and liberty: The artists, who have worked the
bearings and distance, are very pressing that it should be moved to the
captain, purposing to have their reasons drawn up, and signed by all who
are willing to go that way, and to be delivered to the captain for his
opinion; upon this there was a paper drawn up, and as soon as the people
heard it, they came flocking to sign first, crying all aloud for the
Streights, seeming overjoyed, as if they were going to England directly,
without any affliction or trouble, but there must be a great deal of
hardships to be encountered before we arrive at our native country: This
paper was signed by all the officers on the spot, except the captain,
lieutenant, purser, and surgeon, and by all the seamen in general, except
the captain's steward.

Tuesday the 4th, at the time of serving at the storehouse, about twelve
o'clock, I went to the captain, with the master, carpenter, and boatswain,
and read to him the paper; he answered he would consider of it, and give
his answer: Here follows a copy of the paper signed:--

"We whose names are under-mentioned, do, up