Wednesday, May 18th. Lat. 9° 54' N., lon. 113° 17' W. The northeast trades had now left us, and we had the usual variable winds, the ``doldrums,'' which prevail near the line, together with some rain. So long as we were in these latitudes, we had but little rest in our watch on deck at night; for, as the winds were light and variable, and we could not lose a breath, we were all the watch bracing the yards, and taking in and making sail, and ``humbugging'' with our flying kites. A little puff of wind on the larboard quarter, and then-- ``larboard fore braces!''-- and studding-sail booms were rigged out, studding-sails set alow and aloft, the yards trimmed, and jibs and spanker in; when it would come as calm as a duck-pond, the man at the wheel standing with the palm of his hand up, feeling for the wind. ``Keep her off a little!'' ``All aback forward, sir!'' cries a man from the forecastle. Down go the braces again; in come the studding-sails, all in a mess, which half an hour won't set right; yards braced sharp up, and she's on the starboard tack, close-hauled. The studding-sails must now be cleared away, and set up in the tops and on the booms, and the gear cut off and made fast. By the time this is done, and you are looking out for a soft plank for a nap,-- ``Lay aft here, and square in the head yards!'' and the studding-sails are all set again on the starboard side. So it goes until it is eight bells,-- call the watch,-- heave the log,-- relieve the wheel, and go below the larboard watch.