THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
419 
from North Eaft by North, to North Weft half Weft, where 1778. 
it feemed to terminate. Between this point and the illands . 
without it, there appeared a large opening, for which I 
fteered, till we raifed land beyond it. This land, although 
we did not perceive that it joined the continent, made a paf- 
fage through the opening very doubtful. It alfo made it 
doubtful, whether the land which we faw to the South Weft, 
was infular or continental; and, if the latter, it was obvious 
that the opening would be a deep bay or inlet, from which, 
if once we entered it with an Eafterly wind, it would not 
be fo ealy to get out. Not caring, therefore, to truft too 
much to appearances, I fteered to the Southward. Having 
thus got without all the land in fight, I then fteered Weft, 
in which direction the illands lay; for fuch we found this 
land to be. 
By eight o’clock we had pafied three of them, all of a ^ood 
height. More of them were now feen to the Weft ward; the 
South Wefternmoft part of them bearing Weft North Weft. 
The weather, in the afternoon, became gloomy, and at 
length turned to a mift; and the wind blew frefh at Eaft. I 
therefore, at ten at night, hauled the wind to the Southward 
till day-break, when we refumed our courfe to the Weft. Friday 26. 
Day-light availed us little; for the weather was fo thick, 
that we could not fee a hundred yards before us; but as 
the wind was now moderate, I ventured to run. At half 
paft four, we were alarmed at hearing the found of breakers 
on our larboard bow. On heaving the lead, we found 
twenty-eight fathoms water; and the next call, twenty-five. 
I immediately brought the Ihip to, with her head to the 
Northward, and anchored in this laft depth, over a bottom 
of coarfe fand; calling to the Difcovery, file being clofe by 
us, to anchor alfo, 
3 El 2 
A few 
