southward, stood to the westward, where
there appeared to be an opening. We saw an island in that direction, and
a reef extending a considerable way to the north west. Hauled upon the
wind, seeing our passage obstructed, and stood off and on, under an easy
sail in the night, till daylight; and in the morning bore away, and
discovered four islands, to which the name of Murray's Islands was given.
On the top of the largest, there was something resembling a
fortification. We saw at the same time three two-masted boats. We kept
running along the reef, and in the forenoon thought we saw an opening.
Lieut. Corner was immediately ordered to get ready, to discover if there
was a passage for the ship, and went to the topmasthead, to look well
round him before he left us. It was judged necessary that he should take
with him an axe, some fuel, provisions, a little water, and a compass,
previous to his departure.

It was now the 28th of August. It had lately been our custom to lay to in
the night, M. Bougainville having represented this part of the ocean as
exceedingly dangerous; and it certainly is the boldest piece of
navigation that has ever yet been attempted. We would gladly have
continued the same custom; but the great length of the voyage would not
permit it, as, after we had passed to the wastward of Bougainville's
track, the ocean was perfectly unexplored.

At five in the afternoon, a signal was made from the boat, that a passage
through the reef was discovered for the ship; but wishing to be well
informed in so intricate a business, and the day being far spent, we
waited the boats coming on board, made a signal to expedite her, and
afterwards repeated it. Night closing fast upon us, and considering our
former misfortunes of losing the tender and jolly-boat, rendered it
necessary, both for the preservation of the boat, and the success of the
voyage, to endeavour, by every possible means, to get hold of her.

False fires were burnt, and muskets fired from the ship, and answered by
the boat reciprocally; and as the flashes from their muskets were
distinctly seen by us, she was reasonably soon expected on board. We now
sounded, but had no bottom with a hundred and ten fathom line, till past
seven o'clock, when we got ground in fifty fathom. The boat was now seen
close under the stern; we were at the same time lying to, to prevent the
ship fore-reaching. Immediately on sounding this last time, the topsails
were filled; but b