TIMOR. 43 
At three o'clock in the morning of the 
12th of June, to their inexpressible joy, they 
discovered the island of Timor. Here Bligh 
breaks out in language which will find an 
echo in the heart of every reader, who has 
accompanied him in imagination, thus far in 
all his troubles and privations : " It is not 
possible for me to describe the pleasure which 
the blessing of the sight of this land diffused 
among us. It appeared scarce credible to 
ourselves, that in an open boat, and so poorly 
provided, we should have been able to reach 
the coast of Timor in forty-one days after leav- 
ing Tofoa, having, in that time, run, by our 
log, a distance of 3,618 miles ; and that, not- 
withstanding our extreme distress, no one 
should have perished in the voyage." 
On the 13th they found land in a small 
sandy bay near the island of Roti, where the 
natives, who were of a dark tawny colour, 
received them courteously, bringing them a 
few pieces of dried turtle, and some ears of 
Indian corn, which were very acceptable. 
They offered to bring other refreshments ; but 
Bligh, who acknowledged their kindness, and 
the "European politeness" of some of them, 
