May 14th. — At daylight I found the wind blowing a strong breeze from the south-east, and as we could make but little headway in pulling to windward with the tide against us, I ordered the men to prepare themselves for hunting; and after breakfast we all started in pursuit of game of any kind that could be found. It was 5, P. M., when we returned, having strayed many miles into the country; and the result of our sport was five deer, three foxes, and a number of birds of different kinds. During this excursion I paid more attention to the qualities of timber than to the duties of a sportsman. I found the same kinds of trees here that I examined at Port Famine, and the wild-celery, scurvy-grass, &c. were shooting into seed in almost every direction. What marks of Divine wisdom are to be seen in every thing! The bane and antidote, if not placed side by side, are generally found within hailing distance. High southern latitudes are thought to produce the scurvy on board of ships, and the same latitudes produce on land the best possible antidotes to the disease, in the greatest abundance.

Our sportsmen were all fatigued and hungry, and therefore enjoyed a good supper and a night's repose with the greater zest. At 2, A. M., I found that the wind had changed to the westward, and produced fair weather; I therefore called upon all hands to turn out, and prepare for a cruise towards the entrance of the sound.

Source: "Narrative of Four Voyages", Capt. Benjamin Morrell Jr., New York, 1832
Transcribed: April 2007