Western Coasts.] 
INTRODUCTION. 
liii 
A small, sandy bay was seen, into which Pelsert desired to enter; Pelseut, 
but finding too much surf, and the weather becoming bad, he was l629 ' 
obliged to haul further off. 
July 10. He kept in the same parallel, upon a wind ; the weather 
being bad, and his boat very leaky. Next day, the wind was at 
W. S. W., and more moderate. He then steered north ; for the sea 
was too high to approach the shore in safety. On the 12th, Pelsert 
observed the latitude to be 27 0 , and steered along the coast with a 
fair wind at S. E. ; but the shore was too steep to admit of landing ; 
neither could he find any bay or island to break off the sea. At a 
distance, the land seemed fertile and covered with plants. The lati- 
titude, on the 13th, was 25 0 40', which shewed a current setting to 
the northward. Here Pelsert found himself a-breast of an opening, 
where the coast trends to the north-east ( apparently into Shark's 
Bay). The course this day was nearly north; the shore consisted 
of reddish rock, of an equal height ; and there being no island in 
front, the waves, which broke high upon it, prevented landing. 
June 14. The wind was at east; and at noon, the latitude was 
observed to be 24 0 . The tides (or rather the current) took the 
boat further to the north than was desired ; for Pelsert then carried 
but little sail, in the hope to find a landing place without going 
further. Perceiving some smokes at a distance, he rowed towards 
them ; but the shore proved to be steep, with many rocks, and 
the sea broke high against it. At length, six of his people leaped 
overboard, and with much labour and risk got through the surf, 
whilst the boat remained at anchor, in 25 fathoms. The sailors 
employed the rest of the day in seeking for water ; and on looking 
about on every side, they saw four natives creeping towards them 
on their hands and feet. One of " our people 5 ' having appeared on 
an eminence, near them, the natives rose up and took to flight ; so 
that those who were in the boat could see them distinctly. These 
men were wild, black, and altogether naked ; not covering even those 
parts which almost all savages conceal. 
