<XF ^A PE^OUSE. 185 



We were in latitude 43 20' fouth, and lon- 

 gitude 140 10' eaft. 



The Eiperance, being apprifed of our anchor- 

 ing-place by a fire lighted near the main-maft, 

 was not long before the came to an anchor two 

 kilometers to the north by weft of us. 



The fea, during the whole night, wa,s very 

 phofphoric on the fmalleft agitation. 



Some heavy fqualls, accompanied by rain, 

 obliged us to veer away cable, and. get down 

 the top-gallant yards. 



On the 1 8th a cloudy Iky made us wait with 

 the mod lively impatience for the moment of 

 enjoying the fine profpect of the immenfe bay 

 which forms the entrance of D'Entrecafteaux's. 

 Strait. At length the horizon cleared up. On 

 whatever fide we direcled our view, we beheld 

 fpacious bights, where the navigator, buffeted by 

 ftorms, may come with all confidence in feardi 

 of fhelter. The eye furveyed with aftonifhment 

 the immenfity of thefe harbours, which would 

 eafily contain all the fleets of the maritime powers. 



The point on the ftarboard hand at the en- 

 trance of the Strait bore fouth 43 weft. 



The wind blowing with lefs impetuofity about 

 eleven o'clock in the morning, advantage was 

 taken of this lull to difpatch the barge. The geo- 

 graphical engineer fet off with an intention of 



going 



