This morning the wind hauled more to the eastward, and moderated somewhat.
The sky still looks wintry, and the sun sheds a lurid light through a semi-transparent stratum of dull grey clouds.

At 11 A.M.

mustered the crews and at meridian passed a large steamer (hull down) steering to the eastward, probably a French ship of war from Vera Cruz.
_Monday, December 22nd._--Ran on during the night in a very regular line of soundings of twenty fathoms, on a W.S.W.

course.
At 9 P.M., having run within about twenty miles of the Areas, anchored for the night in twenty fathoms.
_Tuesday, December 23rd._--At 9 A.M.called all hands up anchor; and at ten we were under way, steering W.S.W.; at meridian observed six miles to the northward of the Areas, and altered course to S.W.At 1.30 P.M.made the Areas half a point on the starboard-bow, distant about twelve miles; and at sunset came to anchor in eleven fathoms of water, with the south Area bearing N.W.by N.In the course of the afternoon our coal-ship, which I had ordered to rendezvous here, hove in sight, and joined us at the anchorage a few minutes after we came to.
_Wednesday, December 24th._--In the forenoon went out of the harbour, and examined the entrances and anchorage.

The dangers are all visible, and it is only necessary to give a berth to the reefs that make off from the points.