This afternoon we had many birds about us which are never seen far from land, such as boobies and noddies.  As the sea began to run fair, and we shipped but little water, I took the opportunity to examine into the state of our bread, and found that, according to the present mode of issuing, there was a sufficient quantity remaining for twenty-nine days’ allowance, by which time I hoped we should be able to reach Timor; but as this was very uncertain, and it was possible that, after all, we might be obliged to go to Java, I determined to proportion the allowance so as to make our stock hold out six weeks.  I was apprehensive that this would be ill received, and that it would require my utmost resolution to enforce it; for small as the quantity was which I intended to take away for our future good, yet it might appear to my people like robbing them of life; and some, who were less patient than their companions, I expected would very ill brook it.  However, on my representing the necessity of guarding against delays that might be occasioned in our voyage by contrary winds or other causes, and promising to enlarge upon the allowance as we got on, they cheerfully agreed to my proposal.  It was accordingly settled that every person should receive 1-25th of a pound of bread for breakfast, and the same quantity for dinner; so that, by omitting the proportion for supper, we had forty-three days’ allowance.

Monday, 25th.—­At noon some noddies came so near to us, that one of them was caught by hand.  This bird was about the size of a small pigeon.  I divided it, with its entrails, into eighteen portions and by a well-known method at sea, of “Who shall have this?” [1] it was distributed, with the allowance of bread and water for dinner, and ate up, bones and all, with salt water for sauce.  I observed the latitude 13 degrees 32 minutes south; longitude made 35 degrees 19 minutes west, course north 89 degrees west, distance one hundred and eight miles.

In the evening, several boobies flying very near to us, we had the good fortune to catch one of them.  This bird is as large as a duck.  I directed the bird to be killed for supper, and the blood to be given to three of the people who were most distressed for want of food.  The body, with the entrails, beak, and feet, I divided into eighteen shares, and, with an allowance of bread, which I made a merit of granting, we made a good supper, compared with our usual fare.

Sailing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I at length became satisfied that we were approaching New Holland.  This was actually the case; and after passing the reefs which bound that part of the coast, we found ourselves in smooth water.  Two islands lay about four miles to the west by north, and appeared eligible for a resting-place, if for nothing more; but on our approach to the nearest island, it proved to be only a heap of stones, and its size too inconsiderable to shelter the boat.  We therefore proceeded