Dec. 5th.—Lat. 15° 24′. Therm. 80°. A schooner in sight to the westward bearing down for us. Overhauled by the Charwell, and proved to be a Portuguese bound for San Salvador.
Dec. 6th.—Fresh breeze. No observation.
Dec. 7th.—Lat. 19° 26′. Therm. 82°. Observed a shark which followed the ship a long time, accompanied with three pilot fish. Threw a bait to him, upon which one of his pilot fish swam to it and tasted, and reported accordingly to its master. Observed the breeze to die away by day and blow by night.
Dec. 8th.—Lat. 20° 8′. Therm. 86°. Dreadfully hot.
Dec. 9th—Lat. 20° 48′; long. 39° 34′.
Dec. 10th.—Lat. 22° 5′; long. 40° 29′.—A signal from Commodore signifying land in sight, supposed at first to be Rio Janeiro, afterwards proved to be Cape Frio, about 40 miles distant from it. Therm. 85°. A tremendous thunderstorm, louder than anything I ever heard.
“Loud thunder from the distant poles ensue,
Then flashing fires the transient light renew.”
Dec. 12th.—Beating all day off Cape Frio, endeavouring to get into port. Wind ahead. At 9 p.m. wind came round. Weathered Cape Frio.