uch more considerable distance.
I ran to learn the cause, and found it was occasioned by the imprudence
and obstinacy of one of the party, who, in my absence, had insisted on
having a fire to himself; in making which the flames caught the
neighbouring grass and rapidly spread. This misconduct might have
produced very serious consequences, by discovering our situation to the
natives; for, if they had attacked us, we must inevitably have fallen a
sacrifice, as we had neither arms nor strength to oppose an enemy. Thus
the relief which I expected from a little sleep was totally lost, and I
anxiously waited for the flowing of the tide, that we might proceed to
sea.

I found it high-water at half past five this evening, whence I deduce
the time, on the full and change of the moon, to be 58' past 10 in the
morning: the rise is nearly five feet. I could not observe the set of
the flood; but imagine it comes from the southward, and that I have been
mistaken at Restoration Island, as I find the time of high-water
gradually later as we advance to the northward.

At Restoration Island, high water, full and change, 7^h 10'
Sunday Island, 9 19
Here, 10 58

[Sidenote: 1789. JUNE 2.]

After eight o'clock, Mr. Samuel and Mr. Peckover went out to watch for
turtle, and three men went to the east key to endeavour to catch birds.
All the others complaining of being sick, took their rest, except Mr.
Hayward and Mr. Elphinston, who I directed to keep watch. About midnight
the bird party returned, with only twelve noddies, a bird I have already
described to be about the size of a pigeon: but if it had not been for
the folly and obstinacy of one of the party, who separated from the
other two, and disturbed the birds, they might have caught a great
number. I was so much provoked at my plans being thus defeated, that I
gave the offender[*] a good beating. I now went in search of the
turtling party, who had taken great pains, but without success. This,
however, did not surprise me, as it was not to be expected that turtle
would come near us after the noise which was made at the beginning of
the evening in extinguishing the fire. I therefore desired them to come
back, but they requested to stay a little longer, as they still hoped to
find some before day-light: they, however, returned by three o'clock,
without any reward for their labour.

[*] Robert Lamb.--