THE PACIFIC OCEAN. ^ 477 



we had not been accuftomed. As we advanced to the North, ^ '778- 



September. 



we raifed land in the diredlion of North Eaft half North ; 

 which proved to be a continuation of the coaft we were 

 upon. We alfo faw high land over the iflands, feemingly 

 at a good diftance beyond them. This was thought to be 

 the continent, and the other land the liland of Alafchka. 

 But it was already doubtful, whether we (liould find a paf- 

 fage between them ; for the water fhoalcd infenfibly as we 

 advanced farther to the North. In this fituation, two boats 

 were fent to found before the fliips; and I ordered the Dif- 

 covery to lead, keeping nearly in the mid channel, between 

 the coaft on our larboard, and the Northernmofl: ifland on 

 our ftarboard. Thus we proceeded till three in the after- 

 noon ; when, having palTed the iiland, we had not more 

 than three fathoms and an half of water; and the Refolu- 

 tion, at one time, brought the mud up from the bottom. 

 More water was not to be found in any part of the channel ; 

 for, with the fhips and boats, we had tried it from fide to 

 fide. 



I therefore thought it high time to return ; efpccially a&- 

 the wind was in fuch a quarter, that we muft ply back. But 

 what I dreaded moft was the wind increafing, and raifing. 

 the fea into waves, fo as to put the (liips in danger of ftrik- 

 ing. At this time, a head- land on the Weft fliore, which is- 

 diftinguiflied by the name of Bald Head, bore North by Weft, 

 one league diftant. The coaft beyond it extended as far as 

 North Eaft by North, where it feemed to end in a point ; be- 

 hind which the coaft of the high land, feen over the iftands,- 

 ftretched itfelf ; and fome thought they could trace where- 

 it joined. On the Weft fide of Bald Head, the fhore forms a 

 bay, in the bottom of which is a low beach, where we faw. 

 a number of huts or habitations of the natives. 



Having; 



