[ S°> ] 



Till the 24th the wind continued N. W. & N. when the 

 fchooner received from the frigate a cannon, with a box of powder 

 and ball. 



From the 24th to the 30th we fleered N. W. when at funfet 

 there were great threatenings of a ftorm, and the weather becom- 

 ing dark,, the lea ran fo high, that we could not diftinguifti 

 the lights of the frigate, and were obliged to make our fignals by 

 guns and rockets. 



On the 31!! it continued to be fo dark that even during the day 

 we could not fee the frigate.. 



On the i-ft of Auguft at day-break we had the fame dark wea- 

 ther, fo' that we could not diftinguim at half a league's diftance, 

 nor had we light of the frigate : we kept on however (the wind 

 abating) with a Wefterly courfe, till the 4th, when we fuppofed 

 ourfelves to be ja leagues W. of the continent. 



On the- 5th the wind began to be favourable from the S. W. 

 and the frigate ftill not appearing, our captain confulted us 

 whether we mould profecute our difcoveries. We had indeed 

 for the laft two months- been reduced to lhort allowance of pro- 

 vifions,. and a quart of water each day, fmce we left the laft land 

 our bread alfo wasalmoft fpoiled by the fea getting into the bread- 

 room, and the feafon for failing to the Northward began almoft 

 to endi Yet notwithstanding thefe, and other objections, we 

 continued unanimoufly of opinion to execute our orders; as, if 

 we did: otherwife, his majefty muft have incurred the expence 

 of a frefh expedition, Our crew likewife was now animated, and 

 every one agreed to contribute proportionably for a folemn mafs 

 to our Lady of Bethlem, intreating her that we might be able to 

 reach the Latitude enjoined by our mftruc~tions. This propofal of 

 the crew being communicated to the captain, he applauded', 

 much their ardour and devotion,, which was rewarded before 

 evening, by the winds blowing from a favourable quarter. 



On 



3 



