256 
VOYAGE OP THE POTOMAC. 
[March, 
to weather the reef, which makes out about five miles north from 
the cape, forming the east side of Bantam Bay, and, if possible, 
find shelter under the lee of some of the small islands lying in 
that direction. The run across the bay was one of fearful un- 
certainty ; the land was hid from view by the rain and thick wea- 
ther, so that the boat, close-hauled on the wind, was the only guide. 
Thus he continued for several hours, relieving the boat by 
bailing, as she'took in water. At length, land was seen ; and a 
moment after, the breakers on it, by which the commodore knew 
that he had either gone to windward, or fallen sufiiciently to 
leeward to escape the extensive and dangerous reef. About one 
o'clock in the morning, the land seen turned out to be a small 
island, the lee of which furnished a neat httle bay, into which the 
boat was run, and, greatly to his relief, he found her completely 
protected from the storm, though the rain still continued to fall in 
drenching showers. At seven in the morning he left the little 
harbour, which the boat's crew insisted upon calling " Ariel Bay," 
after their boat, which had behaved so well the night before. 
About nine he returned on board the frigate, greatly exhausted 
from fatigue, having been wet to the skin for more than twelve 
hours ; from which, and even sleeping a short time in the boat, he 
fortunately suffered no bad effects. 
On Friday, the sixteenth, the Potomac still remained at her 
anchorage near the watering-place. Although the wind was this 
day very strong from the south and south-by-east, which some- 
times increased into powerful puffs, yet so strong was the current, 
that the ship at no time rode by the wind. The natives this day 
continued to visit the ship for traffic, and in greater numbers than 
on any former occasion ; bringing such supplies, and selling so 
reasonable, that the finest poultry was to be seen on the tables of 
all the messes. No buffaloes, however, were procured, though 
no doubt suchi an arrangement might have easily been made, as 
all the villages abound with them. Numerous monkeys, procured 
by the sailors, were now on board, affording great diversion to all 
hands by their endless chatter and amusing antics. 
News came on board this day, from some of the natives, that 
there was a pirate in the strait, and that two Dutch men-of-war 
were in pursuit of her. The subsequent report of distant cannon, 
rendered the rumour quite probable. 
