VOYAGE TO THE SOUTH SEAS.
47
CHAPTER VI.
The Gallipagoe Isles.
June 24.At day-break, 24th June, the land bore from Weſt 10° South, to Weſt 10° North by compaſs, having the appearance of two iſles. It was my firſt deſign, to get round to the Southernmoſt land, which was viſible, and I accordingly hauled on a wind, but was induced to alter my intentions, from a miſtaken opinion, that I was further South than it afterwards appeared. I was led into this error, from having a North Eaſt current, during the two preceding days, ſetting at the rate of from twenty to thirty miles in the twenty-four hours. On rounding the North Eaſt point, which we paſſed at noon, the Latitude from obſervation was 40′ South, the Eaſt point bearing South Eaſt, and South Weſt point South, 35° Weſt. The ſoundings were ninety fathoms, and the diſtance, from the neareſt land, eight or nine miles. The land,
