42 



Poriers Voyage 



neighbourhood of a stream of water. From tlie landing to Point 

 Christopher, the shores are bounded by precipices of several hun- 

 dred feet in height, which are regularly formed of strata of stones 

 and earth, as if they had been laid by the most expert mason. 

 The strata of stones and earth are each about two feet in thick- 

 ness, and, from the base to the summit of the precipice, are laid 

 with surprising regularity, in lines perfectly straight and parallel 

 Perceiving a breeze springing up, I hastened on board, (for I 

 had objects in view of more importance than examining the 

 rocky coast of this dreary place, or catching guanas and seals,) 

 where, on my arrival, I caused all sail to be made, and shaped 

 my course for Narborough Island, which now began to show it- 

 self open with Point Christopher. In its appearance it bears 

 some resemblance to a turtle's back. I was in hopes that the 

 breeze would carry us clear of the northern point of that island 

 before day-light, in order that we might have the whole of the 

 next day for securing our prizes in Banks' Bay, which lies be- 

 tween Narborough and the south head of Albemarle, Cape 

 Berkley. The Island of Albemarle is formed something like a 

 crescent, the convex side lying to the west ; and Narborough 

 Island, which is nearly round, lies in the bend, forming Banks' 

 Bay on the north and Elizabeth Bay on the south, leaving a safe 

 passage inside from one bay to the other. To Banks'" Bay the 

 fishermen resort every year, between March and July, to take the 

 whale, which come in there in great numbers at that season, in 

 pursuit of the squid or cuttle fish, which are brought into the 

 eddy formed there by the rapid currents that prevail. In this 

 bay vessels are enabled to keep their stations, notwithstanding 

 the currents and calms which prevail, and frequently lie for 

 months between what is called the Turtle'^s Nose of Narborough 

 and the North Head, without once being swept out. 



We had all along calculated on reaping a rich harvest from 

 the enemy at the Gallipagos Islands. It was the constant sub- 

 ject of our conversation and solicitude, and every scheme was 

 adopted that could prove likely to secure to us every vessel in the 

 bay, and we did not calculate on a number less than ten or twelve. 

 Indeed, we calculated on making more prizes there than we could 

 man, and hoped to be thus indemnified for all loss of time, 

 fatigues, and anxieties. However, the anxiety to know as soon 

 as possible our success or disappointment, induced me to dispatch 

 Lieutenant Downes to take a look round the point of Narbo- 

 rough, and reconnoitre the bay ; for the ships had been swept by 

 the current, during the night, into Elizabeth Bay ; and, as the 

 wind was very light, we made very little head-way. 



At one o'clock in the morning, Lieutenant Downes rtorned to 

 the ship, which he was enabled to find by means of flashes made 



