ariation of the compass three degrees east.

Saturday 23.

Towards night the wind died away and we had some heavy showers of rain of
which we profited by saving a ton of good water. The next day we caught a
shark and five dolphins.

Tuesday 26.

We bent new sails and made other necessary preparations for encountering
the weather that was to be expected in a high latitude. Our latitude at
noon was 29 degrees 38 minutes south, longitude 41 degrees 44 minutes
west. Variation 7 degrees 13 minutes east. In the afternoon, the wind
being westerly and blowing strong in squalls, some butterflies and other
insects like what we call horseflies were blown on board of us. No birds
were seen except shearwaters. Our distance from the coast of Brazil at
this time was above 100 leagues.

March. Sunday 2.

In the forenoon, after seeing that every person was clean, divine service
was performed according to my usual custom on this day. I gave to Mr.
Fletcher Christian, whom I had before directed to take charge of the
third watch, a written order to act as lieutenant.

Saturday 8.

We were at noon in latitude 36 degrees 50 minutes south and longitude 52
degrees 53 minutes west. The last four days we several times tried for
soundings without finding bottom, though considerably to the westward of
Captain Wallis' track, who had soundings at fifty-four fathoms depth in
latitude 35 degrees 40 minutes south and longitude 49 degrees 54 minutes
west. This day we tried with two hundred and forty fathoms of line but
did not find bottom; at the same time, observing a rippling in the water,
we tried the current by mooring a keg with one hundred fathoms of line,
by which it appeared to run to the north-north-west at the rate of a mile
and a half per hour. By the noon observation however we were eighteen
miles to the southward of our reckoning. In the afternoon we saw a turtle
floating and, not having much wind, hoisted a boat out and sent after it;
but it was found to be in a putrid state with a number of crabs feeding
upon it.

The change of temperature began now to be sensibly felt, there being a
variation in the thermometer since yesterday of eight degrees. That the
people might not suffer by their own negligence I gave orders for their
light tropical clothing to be put by, and made them dress in a manner
more suited to a cold climate. I had provided for this before I left
England by giving directions for such clothes to be purchased as we