y were forced to rest
contented with making a fire on the shore, in order to dry and warm
themselves, which in some measure revived their spirits. The light
of the fire enabled them to discover several huts or cabins of the
natives in the neighbourhood of where they were, on which they felt
inclined to examine them, but found neither inhabitants nor household
goods of any kind, all that they met with worth taking away being a
few nets of curious workmanship. They also saw abundance of cocoa-nut
trees, but, having no hatchets, were unable to come at any of the
fruit, and had to pass a most comfortless night, during which they
were perpetually disturbed and alarmed by the frightful noise of the
natives in the adjoining wood, whence they naturally concluded they
were every moment about to attack them. About midnight they heard a
signal from the ships, which had been able to come back to that
part of the coast, on which they immediately hastened on board, and
immediately continued their voyage along the coast of New Britain,
making their way with considerable difficulty through among numerous
islands. They named that part of the coast on which they landed,
_Stormland_, which was probably the same called _Slinger's bay_ by
Dampier, on account of the dexterity of the natives in the management
of that instrument.

This country of New Britain seems to be extremely fertile, and to
abound in fruits of many sorts. The inhabitants are a tall well-made
people, perfect mulattoes in their complexions, with long black hair
hanging down to their waists, being extremely nimble and vigorous,
and so dexterous in the management of their weapons, that in all
probability they live in a state of continual warfare with their
neighbours. The sea along the coast is studded with numerous islands,
so that they had great difficulty in getting a passage through them.

Notwithstanding the dangers they had already experienced, they
resolved to make another descent upon the coast on the first
opportunity, though they had not now ten men in both vessels in
perfect health, but their necessities admitted of no other remedy.
The stock-fish, on which they had lived for some time past, was now
so full of worms, and stunk so abominably, that, instead of eating
it, they were unable to come near it. The officers were unable now
to pacify the men with stories of relief in the East Indies, for
they unanimously declared that immediate death on shore would be more