e return of the party,
Captain Doutty saw fourteen of the natives issue from the jungle armed
with their fishing-spears and apparently quite unconcerned, but the
tide being up and having no boat, our people could not get at them. It
was, however, deemed necessary to place advanced picquets round the
camp, and a four-pounder was placed on the top-gallant forecastle and
another on the poop of the Runnymede, in order to keep the natives off
if they should prove aggressive. There appeared to be no chance of
receiving any assistance from them. The island appeared to be wholly
unproductive, neither fruit nor vegetables having been discovered, but
several wild hogs were seen.

_Friday, 22d._--The carpenters employed putting a false keel to long
boat and caulking her. Landed 46 casks of beer, also some preserved
salmon and cheese. A board of survey assembled on board the Briton to
examine the stores saved, and to report as to the rations to be
issued, calculated for forty days. The court recommended the following
scale for alternate days, namely,

First day, 1/2 lb. bread, 1/2 lb. beef, 1/2 gill of spirits, 1/12 oz.
of tea, 1/2 oz. of sugar.

Second day, 1/3 lb. flour, 1/3 lb. pork, 1/4 pint peas, 1/4 oz.
coffee, 1/2 oz. sugar, 1/2 gill spirits, and this even would only last
36 days, that is, till 27th December. By this time, too, the coast for
two miles round the island was cleared of shell fish. This day a
private of the 80th regiment died in hospital of dysentery, most
likely caused by the water, which had a disagreeable vegetable taste.

_Saturday, 23d._--More beer landed from the Runnymede, also a case of
claret. These were now issued in lieu of spirits. This day the natives
came close to the camp. A few soldiers were sent to parley with them,
and took two red shell jackets, which were left on a bush as presents
for them. They only trampled on them, and at a given signal sent a
volley of spears at the soldiers in return, two only taking effect.
Two armed soldiers who had been concealed, then appearing, the natives
set up a yell and ran to the bush, leaving part of a bow and a bundle
of arrows behind them. They appeared very treacherous. They seemed
also to understand the effect of fire-arms, running away the moment
they saw any.

_Sunday, 24th._--Divine service was performed on board the Briton. The
coast was strewed in every direction with pieces of wreck. In the
evening part of a chest of drawers and the top of a w