1774. ROUND THE WORLD. 131 



from the shore in that direction was about four 

 leagues. We had now a very strong wind at S. S. W., 

 attended by a great sea, so that we had reason to 

 rejoice at having got clear of the shoals before this 

 gale overtook us. Though every thing conspired to 

 make me think this was the westerly monsoon, it can 

 hardly be comprehended under that name, for several 

 reasons ; first, because it was near a month too soon 

 for these winds ; secondly, because we know not if 

 they reach this place at all ; and lastly, because it is 

 very common for westerly winds to blow within the 

 tropics. However, I never found them to blow so 

 hard before, or so far southerly. Be these things as 

 they may, we had now no other choice but to stretch 

 to S. E., which we accordingly did, with our starboard 

 tacks aboard ; and at noon were out of sight of land. 



The gale continued with very little alteration till 

 noon next day ; at which time we observed in latitude 

 28° 18', longitude made from the Isle of Pines 1° 54' 

 East. In the afternoon we had little wind from the 

 south, and a great swell from the same direction ; and 

 many boobies, tropic, and men-of-war birds were 

 seen. At eleven o'clock a fresh breeze sprung up 

 at W. by S., with which we stood to the south. At 

 this time we were in the latitude of 23° 18', longitude 

 169° 49' E., and about forty-two leagues south of the 

 Hebrides. 



At eight o'clock in the morning, on the 3d, the 

 wind veered to S. W., and blew a strong gale by 

 squalls, attended with rain. I now gave over all 

 thought of returning to the land we had left. In- 

 deed, when I considered the vast ocean we had to ex- 

 plore to the south ; the state and condition of the 

 ship, already in want of some necessary stores ; that 

 summer was approaching fast; and that any consi- 

 derable accident might detain us in this sea another 

 year ; I did not think it advisable to attempt to re- 

 gain the land. 



Thus I was obliged, as it were by necessity, for 



k 2 



