1770. June. Thurfd. 14. notwithstanding our precaution, we were once in three fathom- water. As foon as these shoals were paffed, I fent the boats to lie in the channel that led to the harbour, and by this time it be gan to blow. It was happy for us that a place of refuge was at hand; for we foon found that the ship would not work, having twice miffed stays our fituation, however, though it might have been much worfe, was not without danger; we were entangled among fhoals, and I had great reason to fear being driven to leeward, before the boats could place themfelves fo as to prefcribe our courfe. I therefore anchored in four fathom, about a mile from the fhore, and then made the signal for the boats to come on board. When this was done I went myself and buoyed the channel, which I found very narrow; the harbour alfo I found fmaller than I expected, but most excellently adapted to our purpose; and it is remarkable, that in the whole courfe of our voyage we had feen no place which, in our prefent circumstances, could have afforded us the fame relief. At noon, our latitude was 15° 26 S. During all the reft of this day, and the whole night, it blew too fresh for us to venture from our anchor and run into the harbour; and for our farther fecurity, we got down the topgallant yards, unbent the main fail and fome of the fmall fails; got down the fore-top-gallant maft, and the gibb boom, and fprit-fail, with at June. 1770. view to lighten the fhip forwards as much as poffible, in order to come at her leak, which we Thurid. 14. fuppofed to be fomewhere in that part; for in Friday 15. all the joy of our unexpected deliverance, we had not forgot that at this time there was nothing but a lock of wool between us and deftruction. The gale continuing, we kept our Saturd, 16, ftation all the 15th. On the 16th, it was fomewhat more moderate; and about fix o'clock in the morning, we hove the cable short, with a defign to get under fail, but were obliged to defift, and veer it out again. It is remarkable that the fea-breeze, which blew fresh when we anchored, continued to do fo almost every day while we stayed here; it was calm only while we were upon the rock, except once; and even the gale that afterwards wafted us to the shore, would then certainly have beaten us to pieces. In the evening of the preceding day, we had obferved a fire near the beach over against us; and as it would be neceffary for us to stay some time in this place, we were not without hope of making an acquaintance with the people. We faw more fires upon the hills to-day, and with our glaffes difcovered four Indians going along the fhore, who ftopped and made two fires; but for what purpose it was impoffible we fhould guess. The fcurvy now began to make its appear ance among us, with many formidable fymptoms. Our poor Indian, Tupia, who had fome 1770. June. time before complained that his gums were fore and fwelled, and who had taken plentifully of our lemon juice by the furgeon's direction, had Saturd, 16. now livid fpots upon his legs, and other indubitable teftimonies that the difeafe had made a rapid progrefs, notwithstanding all our remedies, among which the bark had been liberally administered. Mr. Green, our aftronomer, was alfo declining; and thefe, among other circumftances, embittered the delay which prevented our going afhore. In the morning of the 17th, though the wind Sunday 17. was ftill fresh, we ventured to weigh, and push in for the harbour; but in doing this we twice run the fhip aground: the first time she went off without any trouble, but the second time fhe ftuck fast. We now got down the fore yard, fore top-mafts, and booms, and taking them overboard, made a raft of them alongside of the hip. The tide was happily rifing, and about one o'clock in the afternoon, fhe floated. We foon warped her into the harbour, and having moored her alongside of a steep beach to the fouth, we got the anchors, cables, and all the hawfers on fhore before night. 1770. June. CHA P. IV. Tranfactions while the Ship was refitting in IN N the morning of Monday the 18th, a stage was made from the ship to the shore, which Monday 18. was fo bold that fhe floated at twenty feet distance: two tents were also fet up, one for the fick, and the other for ftores and provifions, which were landed in the course of the day. We also landed all the empty water-casks, and part of the ftores. As foon as the tent for the fick was got ready for their reception, they were fent afhore to the number of eight or nine, and the boat was dispatched to haul the feine, in hopes of procuring fome fish for their refreshment; but fhe returned without fuccefs. In the mean time, I climbed one of the highest hills among thofe that overlooked the harbour, which afforded by no means a comfortable profpect: the low land near the river is wholly. over-run with mangroves, among which the faltwater flows every tide; and the high land appeared to be every where ftoney and barren. In the |