OF LA PEROUSE. 33 



height, and covered with large trees in almotl 

 every direction. This little group occupies a 

 fpace of about fix myriameters in circumference, 

 the earl: and weft points of which ftretch out 

 into the offing, forming fhoals. 



After having failed round it, we flood to the 

 north north-eaft, in order to go and reconnoitre 

 the well part of Bougainville's Ifland. At five 

 o'clock in the afternoon we were at a fhort dif- 

 tance from its lbuthern extremity, where we faw 

 a clufter formed by ten iflots, the greateft ex- 

 tent of which is from eaft to weft. Being co- 

 vered with large bufhy trees, through which 

 were feen ifTuing the tufts of a few palms, thefe 

 iflots afforded an enchanting profpecl. We re- 

 marked between^ them, and quite clofe to the 

 fouth fide, fome breakers, which render the ar>- 

 proach to them very dangerous. 



Two canoes, in which we diftinguifhed a great 

 many natives, were under fail, and feemed to 

 direct: their courfe towards us ; but they pafTed 

 behind the iflot that was the neareft to our fhip, 

 and, owing to their rapid progrefs, we foon lofi 

 fight of them. We perceived on the fhore of 

 this ifland a group of ten natives, and quite clofe 

 to them a canoe on the fand : they made no dif- 

 pofitions for launching her to pay us a vifit. As 

 night was coming on, we were obliged to tack, 

 in order to gain an offing. 



After 



