416 VOYAGE IN SEARCH 



to draw in with the coaft, and we faw it almoft 

 immediately, extending from north 2 eaft to well 

 05 north. A clear horizon allowed us alio to 

 diftinguifh fome other low lands which trended 

 to the north-eaft. 



Prefently we parted between the main land 

 and fome reefs that were two myriametcrs dis- 

 tant from it. At eight o'clock we ran pari 

 others, two myriameters and a half in the offing; 

 and before long we difcovercd that an iflot, which 

 we faw to the caftward, was connected to the 

 main by a chain of reefs, which, flretching out 

 into the offing, forced us to haul off to the fouth- 

 ward, till we had weathered them. 



Three fires lighted fucceffively on the point of 

 land whence the reefs fpit off, apprized us that 

 there were fome favages at this fpot. The pro- 

 ductions of the fea are, no doubt, the principal 

 refource of thetc people, who live on fo fteril a 

 foil. 



At noon, being in latitude 34 io' fouth, and 

 longitude 118 22' caft, we fet the fmall ifland 

 which I have jufr mentioned, bearing north 38 

 eaft, at the diilance of two kilomcr, 



From other fires lighted alon'g the coaft, like 

 the former, rofe thick columns of fmoke, the in- 

 habitants doubtlcfs wiihing to announce to us 

 their prcfence. 



At half paft four o'clock we left in the offing 

 1 an 



