On the 19th we embarked in an American schooner (the “Dolphin”—Captain Le Bree)—paying 50 dollars each for our passage and board to Smyrna—and set sail with a convoy of 34 ships under the protection of the “Wizard” brig of war (Captain Ferris). Our expedition until the 24th was much retarded by calms: for two days we lay within a few leagues of Sicily, watching each night the pale lightnings that played round Mt. Etna, and the blue sulphurous glimmer issuing from its volcano. Towards evening the clouds gathered around, and the sun disappeared before his usual time in the thick firmament. This foretold a change of wind; and so it happened—for a good steady breeze kept up during the night.

Next morning seven of the convoy were missing: towards close of day, however, they again joined us—when the clouds a second time collected and we had a most awful exhibition of lightning. One time the Fleet appeared all on fire; now it streamed as if on a particular ship; at another time it resembled a ball of fire dropping upon the waves; and it repeatedly surrounded every part of our own vessel. This storm was attended with very little rain. The thermometer stood part of the time at 93° in the shade. Many Flying-fish were seen during the thunder, probably avoiding the dolphins which pursued them.