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 to the next, which was close to it, and towards the
main.
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