-west between the islands which by the
evening appeared of considerable extent, woody and mountainous. At sunset
the southernmost bore from south to south-west by west and the
northernmost from north by west half west to north-east half east. At six
o'clock we were nearly midway between them and about 6 leagues distant
from each shore when we fell in with a coral bank, on which we had only
four feet water, without the least break on it or ruffle of the sea to
give us warning. I could see that it extended about a mile on each side
of us, but as it is probable that it may extend much further I have laid
it down so in my sketch.

I directed the course west by north for the night, and served to each
person an ounce of the damaged bread and a quarter of a pint of water for
supper.

As our lodgings were very miserable and confined for want of room I
endeavoured to remedy the latter defect by putting ourselves at watch and
watch; so that one half always sat up while the other lay down on the
boat's bottom or upon a chest, with nothing to cover us but the heavens.
Our limbs were dreadfully cramped for we could not stretch them out, and
the nights were so cold, and we so constantly wet, that after a few hours
sleep we could scarce move.

Thursday 7.

At dawn of day we again discovered land from west-south-west to
west-north-west, and another island north-north-west, the latter a high
round lump of but little extent: the southern land that we had passed in
the night was still in sight. Being very wet and cold I served a spoonful
of rum and a morsel of bread for breakfast.

The land in the west was distinguished by some extraordinary high rocks
which, as we approached them, assumed a variety of forms. The country
appeared to be agreeably interspersed with high and low land, and in some
places covered with wood. Off the north-east part lay some small rocky
islands, between which and an island 4 leagues to the north-east I
directed my course; but a lee current very unexpectedly set us very near
to the rocky isles, and we could only get clear of it by rowing, passing
close to the reef that surrounded them. At this time we observed two
large sailing canoes coming swiftly after us along shore and, being
apprehensive of their intentions, we rowed with some anxiety, fully
sensible of our weak and defenceless state. At noon it was calm and the
weather cloudy; my latitude is therefore doubtful to 3 or 4 miles. Our
course since yester