I was running for Cape Catoche, and was greatly disappointed at not getting a meridian altitude, especially after the promise of the morning.

At about 11.30 made the land--two islands, as described by the man at the masthead.
At 4 P.M.sounded in twenty-eight fathoms.

Weather threatening a gale.
At six, double-reefed the topsails, and sounded in twenty-five fathoms.
I shall endeavour to feel my way around the Cape, and gradually bear up for the westward.

The bank is apparently clean and safe, but still groping one's way in the dark in strange waters is a somewhat nervous operation.
_Sunday, December 21st_ .-- We doubled Cape Catoche very successfully last night, hauling around it gradually in from twenty-five to thirty fathoms, and ran along in the latter depth all night, course W.and W.by S., sounding every hour.

The wind blew half a gale, and the weather looked threatening.