We anchored in Castries Bay a little after 1 A.M., and might have done the distance within the twelve hours had it not been for the dense fogs so prevalent in these seas, especially on the China side. The pilot, who had run for a high bluff, had a curious way of ascertaining its vicinity in a fog, or at night, by blowing the steam whistle; if near the high land there would be an echo. With this assurance he suddenly put his helm hard-a-port and stood boldly in until within range of the _Rodney’s_ responding guns and the curious glare of the blue lights which could scarcely penetrate the fog. [Sidenote: Flag in _Rodney_.] During the two days here made several attempts to dredge for shells, but with trifling success. The steam launch being well adapted, fishing parties away catching large quantities of whiting, which were excellent. They seized at any bait with which the hook was covered; some rock cod were caught in same way--in the seine, off the mouths of three rivers, 435 salmon and trout and 1450 flat fish. Several broods of young grouse perched in trees were seen by walking parties. During our picnics, where our dredging parties landed, I had much difficulty in preventing the men from taking the numerous young birds that were found in the holes and crevices of rocks, Jack always fancying that because the small things opened their mouths he could feed and rear them. The greatest number were a species of diver about the size of a widgeon, with the brightest orange-coloured legs and beak, with ornamental horns or plumes on each side of the head; the plumage black--eye, light green with small black spot in centre; narrow red edge to eyelid. The flight was rapid, like others of the species. We shot a few as specimens. Among them a bird, with a sharp-pointed bill, upper one slightly hooked, as if for extracting fish from shells, with still brighter red legs, same colour inside the mouth, plumage black, eye black. [Sidenote: Aug. 4.] _Rattler_ despatched to coal at Duè and then to stop _Basilisk_ with our mail at Possiette Bay. [Sidenote: Duè, Aug. 5.] Sailed soon after daylight for Duè, off which we arrived at 3 P.M. Observed _Salamis_ steaming to the southward, _Rattler_ at anchor--a Russian transport apparently in a hurry coaling, the lighters grounding at low water. It being spring tides, therefore dispatched _Rattler_ with what she had, and proceeded to coal ourselves, with the two lighters they had spared the _Rattler_. A convenient wooden pier enabled our people, with the use of the Russian carts that ran along a tramway, to coal pretty well. The village looked wretched and dirty. There were barracks, hospital, and storehouses. On an eminence to the northward is a tolerable lighthouse--some small gardens up the two ravines, down which the village is watered. The population consisted chiefly of convicts. Coal appeared to crop out in all directions.