o be mended,
and whether we could catch any fish. My men in the boat rowed about the
island, but could not land by reason of the rocks and a great surge
running in upon the shore. We found variation here 8 degrees 25 minutes
west.

I designed to have stayed among these islands till I had got my pinnace
refitted; but, having no more than one man who had skill to work upon
her, I saw she would be a long time in repairing (which was one great
reason why I could not prosecute my discoveries further) and, the
easterly winds being set in, I found I should scarce be able to hold my
ground.

The 31st in the forenoon we shot in between 2 islands lying about 4
leagues asunder; with intention to pass between them. The southermost is
a long island with a high hill at each end; this I named Long island. The
northermost is a round high island towering up with several heads or
tops, something resembling a crown; this I named Crown Isle from its
form. Both these islands appeared very pleasant, having spots of green
savannahs mixed among the woodland: the trees appeared very green and
flourishing, and some of them looked white and full of blossoms. We
passed close by Crown Isle; saw many coconut-trees on the bays and the
sides of the hills; and one boat was coming off from the shore but
returned again. We saw no smokes on either of the islands, neither did we
see any plantations; and it is probable they are not very well peopled.
We saw many shoals near Crown Island, and reefs of rocks running off from
the points a mile or more into the sea. My boat was once overboard with
design to have sent her ashore; but, having little wind and seeing some
shoals, I hoisted her in again and stood off out of danger.

SIR R. RICH'S ISLAND.

In the afternoon, seeing an island bearing north-west by west, we steered
away north-west by north, to be to the northward of it. The next morning,
being about midway from the islands we left yesterday, and having this to
the westward of us; the land of the main of New Guinea within us to the
southward appeared very high. When we came within 4 or 5 leagues of this
island to the west of us, 4 boats came off to view us: one came within
call, but returned with the other 3 without speaking to us: so we kept
on for the island which I named Sir R. Rich's Island. It was pretty high,
woody, and mixed with savannahs like those formerly mentioned. Being to
the north of it we saw an opening between it and another island