(143) August 13 - Murray I, asteam at dawn. Strong trades, SE & ESE make it a slow haul. The Russell group in sight all day. We hope to make it to-morrow. Lowered the small boat and chased a flock of terns & shearwaters without avail - about 4 P.M. August 14- Wind freshened and blew hard most of the day. Russell group about 6 miles off (Pepasala Bay) at 3, so we started the engines to get us in by night. I had another venture after sea-birds this morning but only took a toothsome gannet. Missed one shearwater. The sea and wind were too strong to do any manouvering. Went out about 9:30 and caught the ship on the reverse tack. Arrived and anchored off Lever Bros. his plantation at the head of the bay (Pepasala). Here I fully anticipated picking up my father, who was to come from Samarai on the Kooneskama, Lever's steamer which was to have taken the general manager and the chairman of the Board of Directors over to inspect some of their holdings. Everything had been apparently arranged to perfection and satisfaction when we were last in Tulagi. I find that the cursed Kooneskama (fittingly hideous name) never got to Samarai, so my father has been marooned there sometime. Never depend on anybody out here for anything. I was an utter fool. The outcome conjures up an appalling coil of possibilities. Spent the night but slept not. August 15- Hove up at dawn and proceeded out, setting all sail as soon as possible and stopping the engine. A 65 mile beat to Tulagi where I can learn something definite. Beating to best advantage all day and night. Wind fresh. Saw very few birds - no shearwaters within range but had a try with the small boat. The sea, however, was too rough and the flock kept to windward of me.