THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
393 
At the clear intervals, we faw an opening between the 1778. 
mountains on the Eaftern fhore, bearing Eaft from the fta- , May * 
tion of the fhips, with low land, which we fuppofed to be 
illands lying between us and the main land. Low land was 
alfo feen to the Northward, that feemed to extend from the 
foot of the mountains on the one fide, to thofe on the other; 
and, at low water, we perceived large fiioals fixetching out 
from this low land; fome of which were at no great dif- 
tance from us. From thefe appearances, we were in fome 
doubt whether the inlet did not take an Eafterly direction, 
through the above opening ; or whether that opening was 
only a. branch of it, and the main channel continued its 
Northern direction through the low land now in fight. 
The continuation and direction of the chain of mountains 
on each fide of it, ftrongly indicated the probability of the 
latter fuppofition. 
To determine this point, and to examine the fhoals, I 
difpatched two boats, under the command of the matter; 
and, as foon as the flood-tide made, followed with the fhips : 
but, as it was a dead calm, and the tide ftrong, I anchored, 
after driving about ten miles in an Eaft direction. At the 
loweft of the preceding ebb, the water at the furface, and 
for near a foot below it, was found to be perfectly frefh; 
retaining, however, a confiderable degree of faltnefs at a 
greater depth. Befides this, we had now many other, and 
but too evident, proofs of being in a great river. Such as 
low ttiores; very thick and muddy water; large trees, and 
all manner of dirt and rubbifh, floating up and down with 
the tide. In the afternoon, the natives, in feveral canoes, 
paid us another vifit; and trafficked with our people for 
fome time, without ever giving us reafon to accufe them of 
any a6t of difhonefty. 
Vol. II. 3 E 
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