CHAPTER V.
THE AURORA AUSTRALIS.—OUR DAILY FARE.—HEAVY SNOWFALL.—FAILURE TO REPAIR THE SCHOONER.
Sunday, July 31, 1864.—It is seven months to-day since I entered the harbour, and during the past week we have had more easterly winds than during the whole of the previous time. I shall note down my slate notes whilst these easterly winds are blowing; as, given in full, they will better serve the purpose of a reference. On Sunday last, July 24, at 3 p.m., the breeze coming from north-east increased to a strong gale, which continued 36 hours, with drizzling rain and thick fog (black north-easter), barometer steadily falling. Monday, 25th—8 p.m., 29⋅14. Tuesday, 26th—3 a.m., the north-east wind died away, calm until noon, latter part light breeze from west north-west, drizzling rain and thick fog; barometer, 8 a.m., 29, 8 p.m., 29⋅12. Midnight, calm. Wednesday, 27th—Until 3 p.m., fresh south-east breeze and fog; at that time the wind became fitful and gusty, hauled to the eastward and to the north-east, steadily increasing to a brisk gale, with drizzling rain and thick fog; barometer rising rapidly after 3 p.m.; 8 a.m. 29⋅12, 3 p.m. 29⋅15, 9 p.m. 29⋅28. Thermometer in open air at noon, 46°. Thursday, 28th—The north-east breeze continued until 3 a.m., fog and drizzling rain, and then became puffy, and hauled to S.S.E., blowing a strong breeze until 3 p.m. Latter part, moderate breeze from the same point. Detached opening clouds, and occasional slight falls of snow, with a clear atmosphere, and rapid rising barometer through the day; 8 a.m., barometer 28⋅28, 8 p.m. 29⋅76; thermometer at noon 35°. Friday,
