Up to this morning, in spite of favourable wind and sea, the ship has been pitching heavily to a south-westerly swell.

This has tried the animals badly, especially those under the forecastle.

We had thought the ponies on the port side to be pretty safe, but two of them seem to me to be groggy, and I doubt if they could stand more heavy weather without a spell of rest.

I pray there may be no more gales.

We should be nearing the limits of the westerlies, but one cannot be sure for at least two days.