After having made these observations, and sucked up as much bitter dirty water as I could contrive to do, I returned with the others to the boats.
WANT OF WATER.
The holes we found the water in were so small that we could only dip a spoon into a few of them; the men however got plenty to drink and then commenced hunting a small species of kangaroo-rat which is found on these islands, and searching for turtle's eggs, in both of which pursuits they were very successful.

We then made blazing fires from driftwood which we found about, and retired early to rest.
A HURRICANE.
About eleven o'clock I heard a cry of one in great distress, "Mr.Grey, Mr.Grey!" I instantly sprung up and answered the call, when Ruston, the boatkeeper in my boat, said, "I must heave all overboard, Sir, or the boat will be swamped." "Hold on for a minute or two," was my answer, whilst I stripped my clothes off.

I found that it was blowing a terrific gale of wind which increased every moment in a most extraordinary manner; the wind was from the south-east, and the breakers came pouring over the reef as if the bay was going to empty bodily all its waters into the little cove in which the boats were anchored.

I now called Mr.Walker and Mr.Smith and desired them to follow me off to the boats with two or three hands, and then swam out to my own, which I found nearly full of water, and it was all that the boat-keeper could do to keep her head on to the sea.

In a minute or two Mr.Walker and Mr.Smith, who were ever foremost in difficulties and dangers, swam off to assist me, but they could not induce any of the men to face the sea and storm, which was now so terrible that they were all quite bewildered.