CHAP. XXXVII.] TO TERN ATE. 379 



On the 22d we had light head-winds. A little before 

 noon we passed, with the assistance of our oars, the 

 Pa9ien9ia Straits, tlie narrowest part of the channel be- 

 tween Batchian and Gilolo. These were well named by 

 the early Portuguese navigators, as the currents are very 

 strong, and there are so many eddies, that even with a fair 

 wind vessels are often quite unable to pass through them. 

 In the afternoon a strong north wind (dead ahead) obliged 

 us to anchor twice. At night it was calm, and we crept 

 along slowly witli our oars. 



On the 23d we still had the wind ahead, or calms. 

 We then crossed over again to the mainland of Gilolo by 

 the advice of our Gani men, who knew the coast well. 

 Just as we got across we had another northerly squall 

 with rain, and had to anchor on the edge of a coral reef 

 for the night. I called up my men about three on the 

 morning of the 24th, but there was no wind to help us, 

 and we rowed along slowly. At daybreak there was a fair 

 breeze from the south, but it lasted only an hour. All the 

 rest of the day we had nothing but calms, light winds 

 ahead, and squalls, and made very little progress. 



On the 25th we drifted out to the middle of the channel, 

 but made no progress onward. In the afternoon we sailed 

 and rowed to the south end of Kaioa, and by midnight 

 reached the village. I determined to stay here a few days 

 to rest and recruit, and in hopes of getting better weather. 



