We remained for the rest of the night, and throughout the next
day, under the same close sail, for it continued to blow very fresh;
and though we had no more hail, yet there was a soaking rain, and it
was quite cold and uncomfortable; the more so because we were not
prepared for cold weather, but had on our thin clothes. We were glad
to get a watch below, and put on our thick clothing, boots, and
south-westers. Towards sundown the gale moderated a little and it
began to clear off in the south-west. We shook our reefs out, one by
one, and before midnight had top-gallant sails upon her.
We had now made up our minds for Cape Horn and cold weather, and
entered upon every necessary preparation.
Tuesday, Nov. 4th. At day-break saw land upon our larboard
quarter. There were two islands, of different size but of the same
shape; rather high, beginning low at the water's edge, and running
with a curved ascent to the middle. They were so far off as to be of a
deep blue color, and in a few hours we sank them in the northeast.
These were the Falkland Islands. We had run between them and the
main land of Patagonia.
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