three leagues to the
west-south-west, the southernmost land in sight bearing west. On
examining the coast and not seeing any sign of a settlement we bore away
to the westward having a strong gale against a weather current which
occasioned much sea. The shore was high and covered with wood, but we did
not run far before low land again formed the coast, the points of which
opening at west I once more fancied we were on the south part of the
island; but at ten o'clock we found the coast again inclining towards the
south, part of it bearing west-south-west half west. At the same time
high land appeared in the south-west; but the weather was so hazy that it
was doubtful whether the two lands were separated, the opening only
extending one point of the compass. For this reason I stood towards the
outer land and found it to be the island Roti.

I returned to the shore we had left and brought to a grapnel in a sandy
bay that I might more conveniently calculate my situation. In this place
we saw several smokes where the natives were clearing their grounds.
During the little time we remained here the master and carpenter very
much importuned me to let them go in search of supplies; to which at
length I assented but, not finding any other person willing to be of
their party, they did not choose to quit the boat. I stopped here no
longer than for the purpose just mentioned, and we continued steering
alongshore. We had a view of a beautiful-looking country as if formed by
art into lawns and parks. The coast is low and covered with woods in
which are innumerable fan palm-trees that look like coconut walks. The
interior part is high land but very different from the more eastern parts
of the island where it is exceedingly mountainous and to appearance the
soil better.

At noon the island Roti bore south-west by west seven leagues. I had no
observation for the latitude but by account we were in 10 degrees 12
minutes south; our course since yesterday noon being south 77 degrees
west 54 miles. The usual allowance of bread and water was served for
breakfast and dinner, and to the surgeon and Lebogue I continued to give
wine.

We had a strong breeze at east-south-east with hazy weather all the
afternoon. At two o'clock, having run through a very dangerous breaking
sea, the cause of which I attributed to be a strong tide setting to
windward, and shoal water, we discovered a spacious bay or sound with a
fair entrance about two or three mi