resolution deterred them, supposing that they could effect their purpose
without risk after we were in the boat.

Taking this as a sample of the disposition of the natives there was but
little reason to expect much benefit by persevering in the intention of
visiting Poulaho; for I considered their good behaviour formerly to have
proceeded from a dread of our firearms, and which therefore was likely to
cease, as they knew we were now destitute of them: and even supposing our
lives not in danger the boat and everything we had would most probably be
taken from us, and thereby all hopes precluded of ever being able to
return to our native country.

We set our sails and steered along shore by the west side of the island
Tofoa, the wind blowing fresh from the eastward. My mind was employed in
considering what was best to be done when I was solicited by all hands to
take them towards home: and when I told them that no hopes of relief for
us remained (except what might be found at New Holland) till I came to
Timor, a distance of full 1200 leagues, where there was a Dutch
settlement, but in what part of the island I knew not, they all agreed to
live on one ounce of bread and a quarter of a pint of water per day.
Therefore after examining our stock of provisions and recommending to
them in the most solemn manner not to depart from their promise, we bore
away across a sea where the navigation is but little known, in a small
boat twenty-three feet long from stem to stern, deep laden with eighteen
men. I was happy however to see that everyone seemed better satisfied
with our situation than myself.

Our stock of provisions consisted of about one hundred and fifty pounds
of bread, twenty-eight gallons of water, twenty pounds of pork, three
bottles of wine, and five quarts of rum. The difference between this and
the quantity we had on leaving the ship was principally owing to our loss
in the bustle and confusion of the attack. A few coconuts were in the
boat and some breadfruit, but the latter was trampled to pieces.

CHAPTER 15.

Passage towards New Holland.
Islands discovered in our Route.
Our great Distresses.
See the Reefs of New Holland and find a Passage through them.

1789. May.

It was about eight o'clock at night when we bore away under a reefed lug
fore-sail and, having divided the people into watches and got the boat in
a little order, we returned God thanks for our miraculous preservation
and, fully confident of