1780. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 415 



this island. I shall only add, that he told us the 

 French ships might perhaps have put into Tirnon, 

 and from thence sail to Cochin China ; and, as 

 he had received no intelligence of them, he thought 

 this most likely to have been the case. 



Captain Gore's inquiries were next directed to 

 find out what supplies could be obtained from the 

 island. Luco said, that he had two buffaloes of 

 his own, which were at our service ; and that there 

 were plenty on the island, which might be purchased 

 for four or five dollars a head*, but finding that 

 Captain Gore thought that sum exceedingly mo- 

 derate, and would willingly give for them a much 

 greater, the price was afterwards raised upon us to 

 seven and eight dollars. 



Early in the morning of the 23d, the launches of 

 both ships were sent to the town, to fetch the 

 buffaloes which we had given orders to be pur- 

 chased ; but they were obliged to wait, till it was 

 high-water, as they could at no other time get 

 through the opening at the head of the harbour. 

 On their arrival at the village, they found the surf 

 breaking on the beach with such force, that it was 

 with the utmost difficulty each launch brought a 

 buffalo on board in the evening, and the officers, 

 who were sent on this service, gave it as their 

 opinion, that between the violence of the suif, and 

 the fierceness of the buffaloes, it would be extremely 

 imprudent to attempt bringing any more off in this 

 way. We had purchased eight, and were now at a 

 loss in what manner to proceed to get them on 

 board. We could kill no more than was just ne- 

 cessary for the consumption of one day, as in this 

 climate meat will not keep till the next. After 

 consulting with Luco, it was concluded, that the 

 remainder should be driven through the wood, and 

 over the hill down to the bay, where Captain Gore 

 and I had landed the day before, which being 

 sheltered from the wind, was more free from surf. 

 This plan was accordingly put in execution, but the 



