OF LA PEROUSE. 221 



probably by the lame natives who had kindled 

 the others. 



We were alfo counteracted by the winds the 

 two following days, the 26th and 27th : but on 

 the 28th, a pretty frefh breeze from the fouth- 

 cafl favoured us in the route which we intended 

 to follow, in ranging along the coaft. The lofty 

 mountains which we had hitherto feen, now 

 gradually diminifhed in height ; the chain feemed 

 to terminate here, but farther on they refumed 

 nearly the fame elevation ; and the ifland, to- 

 wards its northern extremity, was obferved to 

 be formed of large mountains, the afpect of 

 which, at this diftance, differed in no refpect 

 from thofe we had remarked on the preceding 

 days. 



At noon we had obferved, in the latitude of 

 20 28' foulh, when our longitude was 16 1 29' 

 eaft, and we prefently difcovered, that, a little 

 on this fide of the extremity of the ifland, the 

 chain of reefs was broken, and exhibited a large 

 cut, which made us hope for an anchorage ; but 

 it blew much too frefh for us to be able to hoifr 

 out a boat, to found this opening. We fpent 

 the night in ftanding off and on, in hopes that 

 the weather would be more favourable next 

 day. 



In the direction of the lands of New Caledo- 

 nia we difcovered feveral iflands, furrounded 

 2, by 



