44 VOYAGE IN SEARCH 



failcrs who loft their way, in December 1777, 

 on Chriftmas Ifland, the one for a whole day, 

 and the other for eight and forty hours ; that 

 Cook had caufed the latter to be looked for with 

 the greateft care by feveral detachments ; that 

 Chriflmas Ifland is, however, a very finall low 

 ifland, and fcarcely covered with fhrubs, while 

 New Holland, where Citizen Riche had loft 

 himfelf, was an immenfe country. I therefore 

 requcfted that there might be employed, in fearch 

 of our unfortunate friend, at leaft as much time 

 as Cap!:: in Cook had fpent in fearch of one of 

 his failors. 



This reafoning produced all the effect that J 

 wifhed. 



A boat was immediately difpatched from each 

 fhip for the main land, and I had the fatisfac- 

 tion of being one of thofe who were to employ 

 all their attention, and make every effort, tq 

 bring back our lofl companion. 



The Admiral directed guns to be fired every 

 half hour, in order that, if Riche were ft ill living, 

 he might with greater certainty direct; his fteps 

 towards the anchorage. 



The wind favoured us, and we prefently reach- 

 ed the fhore. 



After having advanced in different directions, 

 we returned to the landing-place at night-fall. 



f Sec Cook's Thjrd Voyage, vol. ii. page 133. T. 



We 



