tioned in my Voyage round the
World, only then we came out between the western small island and
Laubana, and now we came through between the two small islands. We
sounded frequently but had no ground. I said there that we came through
between Omba and Pentare: for we did not then see the opening between
those 2 islands; which made me take the west side of Pentare for the west
end of Omba, and Laubana for Pentare. But now we saw the opening between
Omba and Pentare; which was so narrow that I would not venture through:
besides I had now discovered my mistake, and hoped to meet with the other
passage again, as indeed we did, and found it to be bold from side to
side, which in the former voyage I did not know.

THE ISLAND TIMOR.

After we were through we made the best of our way to Timor, and on May
the 18th in the morning we saw it plain, and made the high land over
Laphao the Portuguese factory, as also the high peak over our first
watering-place, and a small round island about midway between them.

We coasted along the island Timor, intending to touch at Babao, to get a
little water and refreshments. I would not go into the bay where we first
watered, because of the currents which there whirl about very strangely,
especially at spring tides which were now setting in; besides, the
south-east winds come down in flaws from the mountains, so that it would
have been very dangerous for us.

BABAO BAY.

Wherefore we crowded all the sail we could to get to Babao before night,
or at least to get sight of the sandy island at the entrance of the bay;
but could not. So we plied all night; and the next morning entered the
bay.

There being good ground all over this bay we anchored at 2 o'clock in 30
fathom water, soft oazy ground. And the morning after I sent my boat
ashore with the seine to fish. At noon she returned and brought enough
for all the ship's company. They saw an Indian boat at a round rocky
island about a mile from them.

On the 22nd I sent my boat ashore again to fish: at noon she returned
with a few fish, which served me and my officers. They caught one
whiting, the first I had seen in these seas. Our people went over to the
rocky island and there found several jars of turtle, and some hanging up
a-drying, and some cloths; their boat was about a mile off, striking
turtle. Our men left all as they found. In the afternoon a very large
shark came under our stern; I never had seen any near so big before. I
put a