CHAP. XXXV.] TO WAIGIOU. 343 



twenty miles west of the extremity of Waigiou with a 

 number of islands intervening. About ten o'clock we ran 

 full on to a coral reef, which alarmed us a good deal, but 

 luckily got safe off again. About two in the afternoon we 

 reached an extensive coral reef, and were sailing close 

 alongside of it, when the wind suddenly dropped, and 

 we drifted on to it before we could get in our heavy 

 mainsail, which we were obliged to let run down and 

 fall partly overboard. We had much difficulty in getting 

 off, but at last got into deep water again, though with reefs 

 and islands all around us. At night we did not know what 

 to do, as no one on board could tell where we were or what 

 dangers might surround us, the only one of our crew who 

 was acquainted with the coast of Waigiou having been 

 left on the island. We therefore took in all sail and 

 allowed ourselves to drift, as we were some miles from the 

 nearest land. A light breeze, however, sprang up, and about 

 midnight we found ourselves again bumping over a coral reef. 

 As it was very dark, and we knew nothing of our position, 

 we could only guess how to get off again, and had there 

 been a little more wind we might have been knocked to 

 pieces. However, in about half an hour we did get off, 

 and then thought it best to anchor on the edge of the 

 reef till morning. Soon after daylight on the 27th, 

 finding our prau had received no damage, we sailed on 

 with uncertain winds and squalls, threading our way 



