Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sight of her. All this night, we had a fine light eastern breeze, of which
we endeavoured to make the best use we possibly could, by carrying
even our topgallant-studding sails, a conduct, which people who are
acquainted with the sudden squalls, and the variableness of the winds,
which reign, with so much violence in the Straits of Magellan, may be
apt to censure, and think rather imprudent. . . but I always determined
to keep up with the Dolphin, and to be as little hindrance in delaying of
her, as possible . . . but notwithstanding all my endeavours, I could not
keep up with her. . the next morning . . . about 7 o'clock we discovered
the Dolphin, bearing W½N, but was so far ahead we could but just see
her topsails, above the horizon; and we observed that she had likewise
studding sails set; by which it is not to be wondered, that she should be
at so great a distance from us; and by 9 o'clock she was entirely gone
out of sight of us.
22
Carteret tried to follow
Dolphin
but was driven back into the
shelter of the Straits by contrary winds. It was another four days be-
fore he was able to break out into the open sea.
We shall never know to what extent Carteret's suspicions were
justified. Both he and Wallis blamed the limitation of their subse-
quent success on the 'desertion' of the other. In fact, neither was
probably altogether sorry about the separation. Wallis was no longer
hampered by the 'dull
Swallow'
(as George Robertson, master of the
Dolphin
called her) and Carteret could, at last, be his own master.
Wallis's ship was very soon in a desperate plight. The men
'began to fall down very fast in colds and fevers, in consequence of
the upper works being open and their clothes and beds continually
sphere of the Straits, added to the normal debilitating effects of a
long voyage, had weakened the crew, and Wallis, himself, suffered
bouts of illness. Nor could he make for the shelter of some Chilean
cove or offshore island. Violent storms threw the
Dolphin
out into
