COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
329 
to windward of it, we were very little to the 
eastward of its south-west end ; having been set 
forty-three miles to the westward since yester- 
day noon. During the day, as the wind was 
at S.E., we endeavoured to pass round its wind- 
ward side, but the current was setting with such 
strength to the westward that, finding we had lost 
ground during the night, we bore up the next morn- 
ing for the island of Savu, a proceeding which, if 
we should succeed in procuring refreshments and 
fresh water there, would be more advantageous 
than going to Timor: for in the first place there was 
less chance of incurring sickness among the crew ; 
and secondly, we should be farther advanced on 
our voyage back. Captain Cook, on his visit to 
Savu in 1770, found a Dutch resident there ; and 
I recollected having being assured by Mr. Ha- 
zaart, the Resident at Timor, that the people were 
well-disposed towards the English: Captain Hors- 
burgh also mentions, in his description of Savu, 
that the Dutch have residents on all these is- 
lands ; and, as a corroboration of these accounts, 
I had been informed by the master of a merchant 
schooner at Port Jackson, who had lately been 
among these islands, that abundance of good 
water could be procured there. Opposed to this 
last report, Captain Cook says, “ We were 
upon the coast at the latter end of the dry season 
-1819. 
Oct. 22. 
