OF LA PEROUSE. 259 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Departure from Ncxo Caledonia. Interxiexv^ 

 with the Inhahitants of Santa Cncz, or Egmoiit 

 Island. Their d/shonestj/. A savage with 

 ail arro'dO slightly ivounds in the forehead one 

 of our sailors, zvho dies i)i consequenee of this 

 wound. Singular construction of their canoes. 

 J Te get sight of the south part oj' Solomon s 

 Archipelago. Interviezcs with the inhabi- 

 tants. Their t reach e?^!- ff c explore the 

 north coast of La Louisiade. Interviexcs with 

 its inhabitants. Dangrr of this navigation. 

 JVe pass through Dampiers Strait, in order 

 to e.vamine the nortJi coa.<t of Nova Britannia, 

 or Xew Britain. Deaiii oj'.ldmiral D^Entre- 

 casteau.v. The scurvi/ makes great ravages 

 on board our two shipx. -Death of the baker 

 (f the Rcchcrchc.*~jre anchor at Waj/giou. 



On the loth of May v,c fet fail from New 

 Caledonia very early in the morning ; but when 

 we had gained the open fea we were becalmed 

 near a large chain of reefs which we perceived 

 to the weitward, and againft which the fea was 

 breaking in a frightful manner; however, wc 

 ; 2 fucccedcd 



