y were very tall, lusty, well-shaped men; they
wear great things in their noses, and paint as the others, but not much;
they make the same signs of friendship, and their language seems to be
one: but the others had proas, and these canoes. On the sides of some of
these we saw the figures of several fish neatly cut; and these last were
not so shy as the others.

TREES FULL OF WORMS FOUND IN THE SEA.

Steering away from Cave's Island south-south-east we found a strong
current against us, which set only in some places in streams; and in them
we saw many trees and logs of wood which drove by us. We had but little
wood aboard; wherefore I hoisted out the pinnace and sent her to take up
some of this driftwood. In a little time she came aboard with a great
tree in a tow, which we could hardly hoist in with all our tackles. We
cut up the tree and split it for firewood. It was much worm-eaten and had
in it some live worms above an inch long, and about the bigness of a
goose-quill, and having their heads crusted over with a thin shell.

ST. JOHN'S ISLAND.

After this we passed by an island called by the Dutch St. John's Island,
leaving it to the north of us. It is about 9 or 10 leagues round and very
well adorned with lofty trees. We saw many plantations on the sides of
the hills, and abundance of coconut-trees about them; as also thick
groves on the bays by the seaside. As we came near it 3 canoes came off
to us but would not come aboard. They were such as we had seen about the
other islands: they spoke the same language, and made the same signs of
peace; and their canoes were such as at Cave's Island.

THE MAINLAND OF NEW GUINEA.

We stood along by St. John's Island till we came almost to the south-east
point; and then, seeing no more islands to the eastward of us, nor any
likelihood of anchoring under this, I steered away for the main of New
Guinea; we being now (as I supposed) to the east of it, on this north
side. My design of seeing these islands as I passed along was to get wood
and water, but could find no anchor-ground, and therefore could not do as
I purposed. Besides, these islands are all so populous that I dared not
send my boat ashore unless I could have anchored pretty nigh. Wherefore I
rather chose to prosecute my design on the main, the season of the year
being now at hand; for I judged the westerly winds were nigh spent.

ITS INHABITANTS.

On the 8th of March we saw some smokes on the main, being distant