ACH THE BOATS.

The wind had again increased to such a degree as to endanger our safety,
and it appeared to freshen as the night came on. I therefore had no
resource left but again to beach the boats on this dangerous coast. Once
more, then, was the scene repeated of dancing in a boat with maddening
speed upon furious rollers, until these break and it is borne in,
followed by a mass of foam far higher than the stern, which appears
eagerly to pursue for the purpose of engulfing it.

BEACHING BOATS.

There is no scene in nature more exciting or which in a greater degree
calls forth one's energy than the beaching of a boat in a dangerous surf.
Never did I on such occasions take the steer-oar for the purpose of
running the boat in but many contending feelings rushed through my mind,
and after a few moments settled down into the calm which springs from the
conviction that the general safety in coming dangers depends altogether
upon the coolness and resolution with which they are met, and never more
so than in beaching a boat when once you are among the foaming waters; in
you must go; to retreat is impossible, and nothing is left but that each
one silently and steadily do his duty, regardless of the strife and din
of raging waves around. The only plan to adopt is for all to give way
strongly and steadily, let what will take place, whilst the boat-steerer
keeps her head straight for the beach. A huge roller breaks right into
the boat and almost swamps it, a man is knocked over and loses his oar,
heed not these things; let each man mind his own oar and nought else, and
give way give way strongly, until the boat grounds, then in a moment each
quits his oar and springs into the water, and ere the wave has retired
the boat is partially run up; another wave succeeds, and the operation of
running up is repeated until she is high and dry. Had our boats been
swamped in the surf, even if we had escaped with our lives, our position
would have been fearful; left without food or resources in an unknown and
savage country so far beyond the reach of man's assistance. When
therefore I again saw the boats safely beached, and my little party
drying themselves over a fire, my breast filled with thankfulness to that
Providence who had again watched over our safety.

ADJACENT COUNTRY EXPLORED.

Sunday March 17.

It blew half a gale of wind from the southward all night, and next
morning such a surf was breaking upon the beach that to have at