138 FROM RADACK TO 



thought that the small island of Temo must lie 

 S.W., and Ligiep farther to the west. We were 

 now under the lee of the group of Ailu, seven 

 miles distant from it, and were, therefore, obliged 

 to tack the whole night to reach it. 



The 1st of March, at day-break, we had already 

 gained so much, that we were under the lee at its 

 south point, which is formed by the island of Ailu, 

 after which the whole group is called. 



The length of the whole island was scarcely a 

 mile, its breadth a quarter of a mile : it had a 

 pleasing appearance, and was distinguished from 

 the rest by its high palm-trees. We approached 

 the island of Ailu, from which we saw columns of 

 smoke ascending and people walking about. After 

 we had sailed round it, we went along the southern 

 side of the group, which consists wholly of coral 

 reefs J and when we had sailed round this also, we 

 were in calm water : we now continued our course 

 northward, near the reef, in the hope of finding a 

 passage. We soon saw three boats coming through 

 the reefs, but found the passage too narrow for us 

 to penetrate through it. Two boats came so near 

 to us that we could speak with the islanders, and 

 Kadu*s joy at seeing some of his old acquaint- 

 ance, was as great as their astonishment to find 

 him with us. None of them ventured on board, 

 but a long conversation took place from the boats 

 with Kadu, who related to them all he knew about 

 us, and also that he was determined to go with us. 



