THEPACIFICOGEAN. 537 



nued at South Eaft by South, moft part of the 16th. It was ^'/78- 



^ * December. 



variable between South and Eaft on the 17th; and on the ' — ^/— » 

 1 8th, it was continually veering from one quarter to ano- Thu^j-j^ '^' 

 ther; blowing, fometimes, in hard fqualls ; and, at other Friday 18. 

 times, calm, with thunder, lightning, and rain. In the 

 afternoon, we had the wind Wefterly for a few hours ; but 

 in the evening it fliifted to Eaft by South, and we flood to 

 the Southward, clofe hauled, under an eafy fail, as the Dif- 

 covery was at fome diftance aftern. At this time the South 

 Eaft point of the ifland bore South Weft by South, about five 

 leagues diftant ; and I made no doubt that I fliould be able 

 to weather it. But at one o'clock, next morning, it fell Saturday 19. 

 calm, and we were left to the mercy of a North Eafterly 

 fwell, which impelled us faft toward the land ; fo that, long 

 before day-break, we faw lights upon thefhore, which was 

 not more than a league diftant. The night was dark, with 

 thunder, lightning, and rain. ^ 



At three o'clock, the calm was fuccecded by a breeze from 

 the South Eaft by Eaft, blowing in fqualls, with rain. VVe 

 flood to the North Eaft, thinking it the bcft tack to clear the 

 coaft; bur, if it had been day-light, we fliould have chofeii 

 the other. At day break, the coaft was fcen extending from 

 North by Weft, to South Weft by Weft; a dreadful furf 

 breaking upon the fhore, v/hich was not more than half a 

 league diftant. It was evident, that we had been in the 

 moft imminent danger. Nor were we yet in fltfety, the 

 wind veering more Eafterly j fo that, for fome time, \vc did 

 but juft keep our diftance from the coaft. What made our 

 firuation more alarming, was the leach-rope of the main top- 

 fail giving way ; which was the occafion of the fail's being 

 rent in twoj and the two top-gallant fails gave way iti the 

 fame manner, though not half worn out. By taking a fa- 



Vol. II. 3 Z, vourablc 



