ashhand-stand
were found. These probably had floated from some vessel that had
foundered.

[Illustration: Hullmandel & Walton Lithographers.
No. 3.
DEPARTURE OF THE "HOPE" IN SEARCH OF ASSISTANCE.]

_Monday, 25th._--Moderate breeze. The long boat, being finished, was
launched from the deck of the Runnymede at 11 o'clock, amidst the
hearty cheers of all hands. She was named "The Hope." Her mast was
then stepped and fitted, and an ample supply of provisions, water, and
other necessaries put on board her. At half-past five, P. M., she set
sail in charge of Captain Hall, of the Briton, with Mr. Skelton, chief
officer of the Runnymede, and the boatswain and five seamen.
Lieutenant Leslie, of the 80th, went in her as bearer of despatches.
The course proposed, at the suggestion of Captain Doutty, was, to get
into the track of ships proceeding to and from the Straits of Malacca;
and then, being guided by the winds and other circumstances, either to
cross to Moulmein, or go on to Calcutta.

_Tuesday, 26th._--Weather moderate. The Hope not in sight at daybreak.
The carpenters landed to make preparations for building another boat.
Parties out getting shell-fish. Some trepang, beech-le-mer, or sea
slug, was brought to Captain Doutty, which he attempted to cure by
cleansing, parboiling, and drying in the sun. This is reckoned a great
luxury by the Chinese, and is sold in their markets. It abounds in
the vicinity of coral reefs.

Captains Stapleton, Montgomery, and Best, in the evening, saw a wild
hog, between which and the bush they got unperceived. They each had a
shot at him, as he ran past them, and being wounded in the head, he
ran staggering amongst the fallen timber. A little spaniel dog, called
Billy, of the King Charles's breed, which happened to be with the
party, seized the hog by the ear. At the same time a soldier ran up to
despatch the animal with a large stick, and not observing the dog in
the dusk, he accidentally struck him an unlucky blow on the head, and
killed him. Poor Billy's fate was universally regretted in the camp,
where he was a general favourite. The hog weighed 80 lbs., had large
tusks, and his hide was half-an-inch thick. The meat was hard and
tough, but still was acceptable as a change. Some natives who were
near the spot where the hog was killed, on hearing the shots, left
their fire with a yell, and fled into the bush.

_Thursday, 28th._--Working parties clearing and deepening the w