and dark gloomy weather with storms
of thunder, lightning, and rain. The night was truly horrible, and not a
star to be seen; so that our steerage was uncertain.

Sunday 17.

At dawn of day I found every person complaining, and some of them
solicited extra allowance, which I positively refused. Our situation was
miserable: always wet, and suffering extreme cold in the night without
the least shelter from the weather. Being constantly obliged to bale to
keep the boat from filling was perhaps not to be reckoned an evil as it
gave us exercise.

The little rum we had was of great service: when our nights were
particularly distressing I generally served a teaspoonful or two to each
person: and it was always joyful tidings when they heard of my
intentions.

At noon a water-spout was very near on board of us. I issued an ounce of
pork in addition to the allowance of bread and water; but before we began
to eat every person stripped and, having wrung their clothes through the
seawater, found much warmth and refreshment. Course since yesterday noon
west-south-west distance 100 miles; latitude by account 14 degrees 11
minutes south and longitude made 21 degrees 3 minutes west.

The night was dark and dismal: the sea constantly breaking over us and
nothing but the wind and waves to direct our steerage. It was my
intention if possible to make New Holland to the southward of Endeavour
straits, being sensible that it was necessary to preserve such a
situation as would make a southerly wind a fair one, that we might range
along the reefs till an opening should be found into smooth water, and we
the sooner be able to pick up some refreshments.

Monday 18.

In the morning the rain abated, when we stripped and wrung our clothes
through the seawater as usual, which refreshed us greatly. Every person
complained of violent pain in their bones; I was only surprised that no
one was yet laid up. The customary allowance of one 25th of a pound of
bread and a quarter of a pint of water was served at breakfast, dinner,
and supper.

At noon I deduced my situation by account, for we had no glimpse of the
sun, to be in latitude 14 degrees 52 minutes south; course since
yesterday noon west-south-west 106 miles; longitude made from Tofoa 22
degrees 45 minutes west. Saw many boobies and noddies, a sign of being in
the neighbourhood of land. In the night we had very severe lightning with
heavy rain and were obliged to keep baling without intermi