Monday, October 28th

This morning found on awaking that all our hopes of Commodore Glasse's fresh beef, goats, vegetables, &c., were doomed to disappointment. We had made so good a course during the night that we had passed Tristan d'Acunha at five o'clock, when it was visible (thirty-five miles off) for a short time. The breeze is sending us on beautifully—quite a sea running and the sun shining brightly, so that it is positively delicious (as we did all day) to sit at the taffrail and watch the sea birds careering over the stern. An immense number appeared—principally albatrosses and Cape pigeons, and in our anxiety to provide the Doctor with a specimen, we shot at many, with a view to getting them to fall on deck. Some used lines of worsted to entangle them as they flew and one was nearly caught in this way. Latitude today 36.50 S. Longitude 11.32 W.—running S. Easterly. I shall commence herewith to note the longitudes chiefly, as they will shew best our progress. The Captain is in good spirits about our progress and predicts forty days more as our term of imprisonment. After tea, a quiet rubber of whist with the Captain, Mr and Mrs Mountfort.