80 
A VOYAGE TO 
[South Coast. 
1802. five in the evening. We were then abreast of the Iledu Mondrain, 
Saturday 9. and the view from the mast head was almost as crowded as before; 
but with this difference, that the islands were smaller, and the low 
rocks and patches of breakers more numerous. Seeing no probabi- 
lity of reaching a space of clear water in which to stand off and on 
during the night, and no prospect of shelter under any of the islands, 
I found myself under the necessity of adopting a hazardous measure ; 
and with the concurrence of the master's opinion, we steered directly 
before the wind for the main coast, where the appearance of some 
beaches, behind other islands, gave a hope of finding anchorage. At 
seven in the evening we entered a small sandy bay ; and finding it 
sheltered every where except to the south-westward, in which 
direction there were many islands and rocks in the offing to break 
off the sea, the anchor was dropped in 7 fathoms, sandy bottom. 
The master sounded round the ship, but nothing was found to injure 
the cables ; and except the water being shallow in the north-west 
corner of the bay, there was no danger to be apprehended, unless 
from strong south-west winds. The critical circumstance under 
which this place was discovered, induced me to give it the name of 
Lucky Bay. 
Sunday 10, I had intended to pursue our route through the archipelago in 
the morning; but the scientific gentlemen having expressed a desire 
for the ship to remain two or three days, to give them an opportunity 
of examining the productions of the country, it was complied with ; 
and they landed soon after daylight. I went on shore also, to make 
observations upon the rates of the time keepers ; and afterwards 
ascended a hill at the back of the bay, to take angles with a theodo- 
lite. A party of the gentlemen were upon the top, eating a fruit 
not much unlike green walnuts in external appearance, and invited 
me to partake ; but having breakfasted, and not much liking their 
flavour, I did but taste them. Mr. Thistle and some others who had 
eaten liberally, were taken sick, and remained unwell all the day 
afterward. The plant which produced these nuts was a species of 
