VOYAGE TO THE SOUTH SEAS.
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ſpermaceti whaling, to whom, I was inſtructed, to communicate, the circumſtances and ſituation of Europe, when I quitted it, that I did not think it neceſſary to beat again to the Southward. I was indeed, perſuaded, that the greateſt body of fiſhermen was to the Northward; as they would find the beſt ſeaſon there, and might then return with the Sun, without being liable to the uncertainty of getting fiſh to the Southward, in the winter ſeaſon; from whence, if they were not ſucceſsful, they would be obliged to proceed to the Northward, and thus have two winters to encounter.
June 3.On the third of June, P. M. we were, within ſix or ſeven leagues of the Iſle Lobas or Seals, near the port of Piſco, where we ſaw great numbers of that animal, and we had even fallen in with them, as far as fifty or ſixty leagues from the land. Mr. Freſier ſays, that this iſle is only one league and an half from the main land; but to me, it appeared to be twice that diſtance. He alſo adds, that the channel. between it, and the main land, is dangerous; but that, to the Northward of the iſles, there is a ſmooth flat bank of ſand, which forms a creek, where the ſea is ſo ſtill, that a ſhip can anchor there, in eight fathoms water, and might careen in ſafety. This iſland is of a moderate height, but, from the beſt obſervations I could make, in hazy weather, its coaſt appeared to be altogether barren to the Weſtward. This place offers a good port for whalers, or in