OF LA PEROUSE. M$ 



by the winds. Our latitude at noon had been 21* 

 37' fouth, and our longitude 162 47' eaU. 



We had a view of fome mountains covered 

 with trees to their very fummit. 



Six fires, which we perceived in the vicinity of 

 the coaft, announced a great concourfe of ra- 

 vages ; they were probably attracted by the fight 

 of our fhips, which contrary winds kept almofl: 

 in the fame place. 



At three o'clock we were fix myriameters and 

 a half from the land, when we perceived near 

 the beach a group of twelve New Caledonians, 

 whole looks were turned towards us, and who 

 teemed to behold with aftonifhment our fhips at 

 fo fhort a diitancc from their ifland. 



Three natives formed another group, and 

 kept very near two fires which they had jufr. 

 kindled. 



A good glafs convinced us that they were en- 

 tirely naked. They did not appear tempted to 

 put a canoe into the water, in order to approach 

 us ; behdes, the reefs oppofed to them a barrier 

 which they would have been unable to clear, fo 

 as to come to our fhips. 



On the 24th, a flrong breeze from the foutb- 

 weft had obliged us to keep plying, and we again 

 found ourlelves almoft in the fame place as on 

 the preceding day. The land was covered by a 



fog. 



