56 
A VOYAGE TO 
[ East Coast. 
September ^each at the north-west end of the 7th island, proposing there to 
Monday 6. pass the night, and hoped to turn some turtle ; but proofs of natives 
having lately visited, or being perhaps then on the island, damped 
our prospects, and still more did the absence of turtle tracks ; yet 
under each tree near the shore were the remains of a turtle feast. 
Tuesday 7 . hi the morning I ascended the highest hill on the yth island, 
and took bearings ; but the hazy weather which had come on with a 
strong wind at E. S. E., confined them within a circle of three leagues. 
This island is somewhat more than a mile in length, and was covered 
with grass, but almost destitute of wood ; the rock is a greenish, 
speckled stone, with veins of quartz finely inserted, and is something 
between granite and porphyry. The 6th island is the largest of this 
little cluster, being two and a half miles long ; and it was well 
covered with wood. We rowed over to it with some difficulty on 
account of the wind, but could not sound in the channel ; it appeared 
to be deep, its least width three-quarters of a mile, and in fine wea- 
ther a ship might anchor there and procure pines fit for top masts, 
at several places in the group. Water was found under the hills on 
the 6th island ; but not in sufficient quantities for the purpose of a 
ship. 
I looked anxiously, but in vain, for lieutenant Fowler to come out 
of Thirsty Sound ; for the wind blew so strong that it was uncertain 
whether the boat could fetch over, or that it was even safe to attempt 
it ; our provisions, besides, were nearly exhausted, and nothing more 
substantial than oysters could be procured. Pressed by necessity, we 
set off under close-reefed sails ; and the boat performing admirably, 
fetched the low neck to leeward of Pier Head, whence another boat 
took us to the ship ; and at high water in the evening, the whale 
boat floated over the neck and followed. 
When Mr. Fowler had weighed in the morning, according to 
my directions, the ship had driven so near the shore before the 
stream anchor was at the bows, that he let go the small bower ; but 
the cable parted, and obliged him to drop the best bower, being then 
