dinner, and there is no beer for us before to-morrow morning, to
which a sufficient answer is required before we go from the beacon;
and we are, Sir, your most obedient servants."

On reading this, the writer returned a verbal message, intimating
that an answer would be sent on board of the tender, at the same time
ordering the boat instantly to quit the beacon. He then addressed the
following note to the landing-master:--

"_Beacon-house, 22nd June 1810, Five o'clock p.m._

"SIR,--I have just now received a letter purporting to be from the
landing-master's crew and seamen on board of the _Sir Joseph Banks_,
though without either date or signature; in answer to which I enclose
a statement of the daily allowance of provisions for the seamen in
this service, which you will post up in the ship's galley, and at
seven o'clock this evening I will come on board to inquire into this
unexpected and most unnecessary demand for an additional allowance
of beer. In the enclosed you will not find any alteration from the
original statement, fixed in the galley at the beginning of the
season. I have, however, judged this mode of giving your people an
answer preferable to that of conversing with them on the beacon.--I
am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

"ROBERT STEVENSON.

"To CAPTAIN WILSON."

"_Beacon House_, 22_nd June_ 1810.--Schedule of the daily allowance
of provisions to be served out on board of the _Sir Joseph Banks_
tender: '1-1/2 lb. beef; 1 lb. bread; 8 oz. oatmeal; 2 oz. barley; 2
oz. butter; 3 quarts beer; vegetables and salt no stated allowance.
When the seamen are employed in unloading the _Smeaton_ and
_Patriot_, a draught of beer is, as formerly, to be allowed from the
stock of these vessels. Further, in wet and stormy weather, or when
the work commences very early in the morning, or continues till a
late hour at night, a glass of spirits will also be served out to the
crew as heretofore, on the requisition of the landing-master.'

"ROBERT STEVENSON."

On writing this letter and schedule, a signal was made on the beacon for
the landing-master's boat, which immediately came to the rock, and the
schedule was afterwards stuck up in the tender's galley. When sufficient
time had been allowed to the crew to consider of their conduct, a second
signal was made for a boat, and at seven o'clock the writer lef