Toivards the Cape.} TERRA AU STRAUS. 29 
The wind was at south when we tacked to the westward ; but ^^.^ 
it shortly veered to south-by-east, and as far as south-east-by-south, Thursday 3. 
which enabled me to look up for the small Isle Sable, or St. Paul, said 
to lie in o° 25' south, and about i8|° west. I was desirous of ascertain- 
ing the true position of this, and of some other small islands, laid 
down in the neighbourhood of the equator. They are placed so 
much in the tracks, both of outward and homeward bound ships, 
that it was not improbable some one of the vessels missed at dif- 
ferent times, might have suffered shipwreck upon them ; and the 
hope that we might be the happy means of restoring to their country 
and friends some unfortunate fellow creatures, perhaps countrymen, 
was an additional incitement to look after them. 
On the 7th, our latitude was o° 43' north, and we expected to Monday 7. 
cross the equator some time in the following night. It was a part of 
my plan for preserving the health of the people, to promote active 
amusements amongst them, so long as it did not interfere with the 
duties of the ship ; and therefore the ancient ceremonies used on 
this occasion, were allowed to be performed this evening ; and the 
ship being previously put under snug sail, the seamen were furnished 
with the means, and the permission, to conclude the day with merri- 
ment. At noon next day, the latitude was o° 17' south, and longi- Tuesday s, 
tude 17 0 7' west; so that the line had been crossed in nearly 17°, about 
seven in the morning. 
From the longitude of n°, we had been constantly attended 
by that species of the pelican called man-of-war bird by our seamen, 
and frigate by the French ; but not one of them was to be seen at 
this time although we were drawing near to the supposed situation 
of St Paul. At four in the afternoon, our latitude was judged to be 
0° 20' south ; and the course then steered was west, by compass, for 
a current of ten miles to the north had fully counteracted the west- 
ern variation on the two preceding days. On the 9th, the latitude Wednes. 9. 
was o° 43 ' south, and longitude 18 0 35'. We ran northward four 
hours, finding the current had not prevailed as before ; and then 
vol 1. H h 
