This time it brought a mail
from St. Helena. It was not a very exciting one, as it contained mostly
papers. But the Postmaster of St. Helena most kindly sent two parcels of
toys and some copy-books, which were particularly acceptable. He has been
so kind in remembering the island each time a whaler has come from St.
Helena. We had an agreeable surprise, Walter Swain bringing us letters
sent through his owners, Messrs. Wing Bros, of New Bedford.
_Tuesday, December_ 22.--A cry of "Sail, ho!" was raised during school. It
was a wet and foggy morning. As the fog lifted for a moment, a four-masted
vessel was seen coming straight for Hottentot Point. It was close in and
in a few minutes would have been on the rocks. The captain must have had a
great shock when he found how near land he was. The ship was seen to head
out as fast as it could and was soon again lost to view in the fog.
Last Sunday was a very disorganized day. The captain of the whaler, a
coloured man, came ashore and said he must leave that day as the weather
was changing. I believe he would have waited had the men made a stand.
With the exception of Henry Green and Repetto they were at work all day,
digging up potatoes, carting them to the beach, and taking them off to the
ship, from which they did not return till dark. They did very well,
getting at least ten barrels of flour.
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