\ 
322 SALAKA. 
about the same number of miles as usual. In the evening the wind 
came round ofiF shore. I got some dead specimens of very fine 
shells. 
March 17. — It was moderate all night. We swung round with 
bur stern over the rocks in three fathom, and not a hundred yards 
from us had a quarter less one. It was cloudy and hazy. The old 
pilot, as well as ourselves, expected from the appearance that we 
should have a fresh wind ; but our situation was so dangerous, 
from not being able to give the ship a sufficient scope of cable, that 
Captain Court determined to try to beat to Macowar, which ap- 
peared from the mast head to be a fine harbour, distant about ten 
miles. We had not cleared the rocks half an hour before the gale 
began to freshen, and by eight blew so hard, as to put an end to all 
hopes of our reaching Macowar. The shoals were so numerous all 
around us, that we were in danger every tack, and once were ob- 
liged to wear ship to save us from a reef that was but a few yards 
ahead. To return to Salaka was impossible, and would have been 
madness had it not been so, as we could expect nothing there but to 
be driven on the rocks. Captain Court was therefore under the neces-* 
sity of trying to make Howie-terie, which the pilot said was an ex- 
cellent port. We had double-reefed topsails close to the cap, yet 
went six knots, with a very heavy swell. Our old pilot very ably 
conducted us through a labyrinth of shoals, and by nine we were 
in a safe channel. 
It was a most mortifying circumstance to be driven back, so near 
the completion of our labours ; for at Macowar the open sea com- 
mences, and we should have had only the usual difficulties of navi- 
gation to contend with. Providence had singularly interfered in 
