I can only hope, and trust them to the protection of a merciful Providence.

The only sign of a holiday on board to-night is the usual "splicing of the main-brace"-- _Anglice_, giving Jack an extra allowance of grog.
_Friday, December 26th._--* * * Weather fine, but the barometer has gone down the tenth of an inch to day, and is now (7 P.M.) 29.96.I shall begin to look for a norther in about twenty-four hours.

We commenced caulking our leaky decks to-day, and despatched the launch to assist in ballasting the barque.

I strolled on the islands to-day, and amused myself searching for shells along the beach.

There are some very pretty diminutive shells to be found, similar to those on the Florida coast; but none of a larger size than the common "conch," of which there are a few.