especially near the capes, though they themselves are not high.  Cape Orford lies in the latitude of 5 degrees 24 minutes south, by my observation; and meridian distance from Cape St. George, forty-four miles west.  The land trends from this cape north-west by west into the bay, and on the other side south-west per compass, which is south-west 9 degrees west, allowing the variation, which is here 9 degrees east.  The land on each side of the cape is more savannah than woodland, and is highest on the north-west side.  The cape itself is a bluff-point, of an indifferent height, with a flat tableland at top.  When we were to the south-west of the cape, it appeared to be a low point shooting out, which you cannot see when abreast of it.  This morning we struck a log of driftwood with our turtle-irons, hoisted it in, and split it for firewood.  Afterwards we struck another, but could not get it in.  There were many fish about it.

We steered along south-west as the land lies, keeping about six leagues off the shore; and, being desirous to cut wood and fill water, if I saw any conveniency, I lay by in the night, because I would not miss any place proper for those ends, for fear of wanting such necessaries as we could not live without.  This coast is high and mountainous, and not so thick with trees as that on the other side of Cape Orford.

On the 14th, seeing a pretty deep bay ahead, and some islands where I thought we might ride secure, we ran in towards the shore and saw some smoke.  At ten o’clock we saw a point which shot out pretty well into the sea, with a bay within it, which promised fair for water; and we stood in with a moderate gale.  Being got into the bay within the point, we saw many cocoa-nut-trees, plantations, and houses.  When I came within four or five miles of the shore, six small boats came off to view us, with about forty men in them all.  Perceiving that they only came to view us, and would not come aboard, I made signs and waved to them to go ashore; but they did not or would not understand me; therefore I whistled a shot over their heads out of my fowling-piece, and then they pulled away for the shore as hard as they could.  These were no sooner ashore, than we saw three boats coming from the islands to leeward of us, and they soon came within call, for we lay becalmed.  One of the boats had about forty men in her, and was a large, well-built boat; the other two were but small.  Not long after, I saw another boat coming out of the bay where I intended to go; she likewise was a large boat, with a high head and stern painted, and full of men.  This I thought came off to fight us, as it is probable they all did; therefore I fired another small shot over the great boat that was nigh us, which made them leave their babbling and take to their paddles.  We still lay becalmed; and therefore they, rowing wide of us, directed their course towards the other great boat that was coming off.  When they were pretty near each other I