1777 THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 251 



CHAP. II. 



THE DISCOVERY OF AN ISLAND CALLED WATEEOO. ITS COASTS 



EXAMINED. VISITS FROM THE NATIVES ON BOARD THE 



SHIPS. MESS. GORE, BURNEY, AND ANDERSON, WITH OMM, 



SENTON SHORE. MR. ANDERSON^ NARRATIVE OF THEIR RE- 

 CEPTION. OMAl's EXPEDIENT TO PREVENT THEIR BEING 



DETAINED. HIS MEETING WITH SOME OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, 



AND THEIR DISTRESSFUL VOYAGE. FARTHER ACCOUNT OF 



WATEEOO, AND OF ITS INHABITANTS. 



After leaving Mangeea, on the afternoon of the 

 30th, we continued our course northward all that 

 night, and till noon on the 31st; when we again 

 saw land, in the direction of N. E. by N., distant 

 eight or ten leagues. 



Next morning, at eight o'clock, we had got 

 abreast of its north end, within four leagues of it, 

 but to leeward; and could now pronounce it to be 

 an island, nearly of the same appearance and extent 

 with that we had so lately left. At the same time, 

 another island, but much smaller, was seen right 

 ahead. We could have soon reached this; but the 

 largest one had the preference, as most likely to 

 furnish a supply of food for the cattle, of which we 

 began to be in great want. 



With this view, I determined to work up to it; 

 but as there was but little wind, and that little was 

 unfavourable, we were still two leagues to leeward at 

 eight o'clock the following morning. Soon after, I 

 sent two armed boats from the Resolution, and one 

 from the Discovery, under the command of Lieute- 

 nant Gore, to look for anchoring-ground, and a 



