54 A SMALL TRIBE OF 



1824. when^ favoured by a strong northerly wind and 

 August, the tide, we ran south-west by west by the sun, 

 along the low land, in from thirty-seven to 

 twenty-five fathoms, when at dark I hauled 

 into fifteen fathoms at four miles from the 

 shore, and anchored for the night. To the 

 south-west of us, the land terminated in a low 

 beach awash with the water, and I did not 

 think it prudent to attempt passing it in the 

 dark, as I must have continued under sail 

 without any object by which I could steer. 

 Several white whales were seen in the course 

 of this day. 



Weighing at four A.M. on the 27th, with a 

 very light breeze from the northward, we ran 

 about four miles south-west by south in low 

 but regular soundings ; when, the wind failing, 

 we anchored with the stream in twenty fa- 

 thoms, at four miles from the beach. Sailing 

 along the shore, we had heard loud shouting, 

 and when the day broke, saw seven natives fol- 

 lowing us by the water's edge. They were 

 now abreast the ship, and as it was desirable 

 to obtain observations, I landed with some. of 

 the officers and two boats, but the sky was too 

 cloudy to favour our getting sights for the 

 chronometers. 



While yet a mile from the beach, a native 



