1777* THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 169 



one turtle, the only one that we saw in the lagoon. 

 We walked, or rather waded, through the water, to 

 an island ; where finding nothing but a few birds, I 

 left it, and proceeded to the land that bounds the 

 sea to the N. W., leaving Mr. King to observe the 

 sun's meridian altitude. I found this land to be even 

 more barren than the island I had been upon ; but 

 walking over to the sea-coast, I saw five turtles close 

 to the shore. One of these we caught, and the rest 

 made their escape. Not seeing any more, I returned 

 on board, as did Mr. King soon after, without having 

 seen one turtle. We, however, did not despair of 

 getting a supply, for some of Captain Gierke's offi- 

 cers who had been ashore on the land to the south- 

 ward of the channel leading into the lagoon, had been 

 more fortunate, and caught several there. 



In the morning of the 27th, the pinnace and cut- 

 ter under the command of Mr. King, were sent to 

 the S. E. part of the island, within the lagoon, and 

 the small cutter to the northward where I had been 

 the day before ; both parties being ordered upon the 

 same service, to catch turtle. Captain Clerke hav- 

 ing had some of his people on shore all night, they 

 had been so fortunate as to turn between forty and 

 fifty on the sand, which were brought on board with 

 all expedition this day. And in the afternoon, the 

 party I had sent northward returned with six. They 

 were sent back again and remained there till we left 

 the island, having in general pretty good success. 



On the 28th, I landed in company with Mr. Bayly, 

 on the island which lies betwen the two channels into 

 the lagoon, to prepare the telescopes for observing the 

 approaching eclipse of the sun ; which was one 

 great inducement to my anchoring here. About 

 noon, Mr. King returned with one boat and eight 

 turtles, leaving seven behind to be brought by the 

 other boat, whose people were employed in catching 

 more ; and, in the evening, the same boat was sent 

 with water and provisions lor them. Mr. Williamson 



