536 
A VOYAGE TO 
1778. variable between South and Eaft on the 17th; and on the 
^Dec ember, was con timially veering from one quarter to ano- 
Thurfday 17. ther; blowing, fometimes, in hard fqualls; and, at other 
Friday 18. t | meSj ca i mj w ith thunder, lightning and rain. In the 
afternoon, we had the wind Wefterly for a few hours; but 
in the evening it lhifted to Eaft by South, and we ftood to 
the Southward, clofe hauled, under an eafy fail* as the Dif- 
covery was at fome diflance aftern. At this time the South 
Eaft point of the ifland bore South Weft by South, about five 
leagues diftant; and I made no doubt that I fhould be able 
Saturday 19. to weather it. But at one o’clock, next morning, it fell 
calm, and we were left to the mercy of a North Eafterly 
fwell, which impelled us fail toward the land; fo that, long 
before day-break, we faw lights upon the fhore, which was 
not more than a league diftant. The night was dark, with 
thunder, lightning, and rain. 
At three o’clock, the calm was fucceeded by a breeze from 
the South Eaft by Eaft, blowing in fqualls, with rain. We 
ftood to the North Eaft, thinking it the beft tack to clear the 
coaft; but, if it had been day-light, we fhould have chofen 
the other. At day-break, the coaft was feen extending from 
North by Weft, to South Weft by Weft; a dreadful furf 
breaking upon the fhore, which was not more than half a 
league diftant. It was evident that we had been in the 
moft imminent danger. Nor were we yet in fafety, the 
wind veering more Eafterly; fo that, for fome time, we did 
but juft keep our diftance from the coaft. What made our 
fituation more alarming, was the leach-rope of the main top- 
fail giving way; which was the occafion of the fail’s being 
rent in two; and the two top-gallant fails gave way in the 
fame manner, though not half worn out. By taking a fa¬ 
vourable opportunity, we foon got others to the yards; and 
then 
