1780. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 425 



to an anchor in ten fathoms, about eight miles to the 

 north of the islands. The weather was close and 

 sultry, with light winds, generally from the north- 

 west ; but sometimes varying round as far as the 

 north-east ; and, during the night, we observed much 

 lightning over Sumatra. 



We weighed the next morning at five, and at 

 eight were close in with the Sisters. These are two 

 very small islands, well covered with wood, lving 

 in latitude 5° 0*' S., longitude 106° 12' E., nearly 

 north and south from each other, and surrounded by 

 a reef of coral rocks; the whole circumference of 

 which is about four or five miles. At noon we got 

 sight of the island of Java to the southward ; the 

 north-west extremity of which (Cape St. Nicholas) 

 bore south ; North Island, on the Sumatra shore, 

 S. L ZT W., and the Sisters north, 27° E., distant 

 four leagues ; our latitude was 5° SI'S., longitude 

 105° 57' E. 



At four in the afternoon, we saw two sail in the 

 Straits of Sundy ; one lying at anchor near the Mid- 

 channel Island; the other nearer the Java shore. 

 Not knowing to what nation they might belong, we 

 cleared our ships for action ; and at six came to an 

 anchor in twenty-five fathoms, four miles east by 

 south from North Island. Here we lay all night, and 

 had very heavy thunder and lightning to the north- 

 west ; from which quarter the wind blew in light 

 breezes, accompanied with hard rain. 



At eight o'clock the next morning, we weighed, 

 and proceeded through the Straits, the tide setting 

 to the southward, as it had done all night ; but about 

 ten the breeze failing, we came to again in thirty-five 

 fathoms ; a high island, or rather rock, called the 

 Grand Toque, bearing south by east. We were, at 

 this time, not more than two miles from the ships, 

 which now hoisting Dutch colours, Captain Gore 

 sent a boat on board for intelligence. The rain still 

 continued with thunder and lightning. 



