CHAP. XXXV.] TO WAIGIOU. 339 



extreme westerly point of the island. Our only sailor 

 left, then swam ashore with a rope, and helped to tow 

 us round the point into a tolerably safe and secure anchor- 

 age, well sheltered from the wind, but exposed to a little 

 swell which jerked our anchor and made us rather un- 

 easy. We were now in a sad plight, having lost our two 

 best men, and being doubtful if we had strength left to 

 hoist our mainsail. We had only two days' water on 

 board, and the small, rocky, volcanic island did not 

 promise us much chance of finding any. The conduct 

 of the men on shore was such as to render it doubtful 

 if they would make any serious attempt to reach us, 

 though they might easily do so, having two good choppers, 

 with which in a day they could make a small outrigger 

 raft on which they could safely cross the two miles of 

 smooth sea with the wind right aft, if they started from 

 the east end of the island, so as to allow for the current. 

 I could only hope they would be sensible enough to make 

 the attempt, and determined to stay as long as I could to 

 give them the chance. 



We passed an anxious night, fearful of again breaking 

 our anchor or rattan cable. In the morning (23d), finding 

 all secure, I waded on shore with my two men, leaving the 

 old steersman and the cook on board, with a loaded musket 

 to recall us if needed. We first walked along the beach, 

 till stopped by the vertical cliffs at the east end of the 



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