We had been on the point of hauling our wind to stand back for Callao, but the captain ordered the ship to be kept on, to ascertain what the object could be.  I with others had gone aloft to look out also, when, as the sun arose, I saw before me what I at first took to be a cloud, but gradually it grew more and more distinct, till I was certain that it was a lofty mountain.  The rest of the crew were so busily employed about the rigging, and in looking out for the whale or whatever it was, that I was the first to see it;--of this I was very proud.