and the Rock of 30 men, unaccustomed to boating, during a period of four months, it was more than could have been expected that we should have been preserved from the loss of either life or limb. On the night of the 3d September, when we left our anchorage at the Skerryvore for the season, every heart was full of rejoicing, and many cordial expressions of gratitude to our Almighty Protector were uttered in deep whispers by the more seriously disposed men, whose number bore a goodly proportion to our whole band. I cannot omit saying, in this place, that both Mr Macurich, who acted as landing-master on the Rock, and the late Mr Heddle, the master of the steam-tender, conducted the boating department in a most masterly style. ~Mutiny of the Crew.~ As an aggravation of our difficulties, we were occasionally much annoyed by the unprincipled and cowardly conduct of a few of the seamen, who, despite the contempt of their comrades, fearing or pretending to fear the risk of lying all night so near the face of the Rock, spared no pains to spread alarm, and made several attempts, by threatening desertion, to extort a rise of wages. They even spoke of leaving the vessel at the Rock, which they could easily have done by some of the native boats which called in passing to see the progress of the works; and Mr Heddle, the master of the steamer, was forced to dismiss the mutineers on the first occasion when the vessel was driven for shelter to the land, and to rely during the rest of the season on the native boatmen to supply their place. That firm conduct had, for some time afterwards, the desired effect on those who remained; but the spirit of disaffection having spread pretty widely, we had subsequently several other instances of sudden desertion from the service. ~Near approach of Vessels to the Rock, and other circumstances shewing the importance of a Light on the Skerryvore.~