Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/174

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164
VOYAGE IN SEARCH
[1792.

we preferred one of D'Argand's, in order to avoid the ſmoke.

22d. The boats that had been diſpatched the preceding day for that purpoſe, were again ſent to ſound at the entrance of the ſtation where we intended to caſt anchor, as they had not had time ſufficient to do it the evening before. About half an hour after nine we received the agreeable intelligence, that it was a very well ſheltered harbour, with ſafe anchorage in a bottom of muddy ſand, not leſs than 3½ fathoms in depth at the entrance facing the middle of the bay. Their ſoundings had given them from 2½ to 4 fathoms throughout a conſiderable part of the harbour, which extends land-inwards about 2,500 toiſes. It was a better ſtation in every reſpect than Adventure-bay, and we could here ſupply ourſelves with wood and water as eaſily as we could wiſh.

Though the breeze was againſt us, it was at firſt ſo inconſiderable that we could be towed towards the harbour; but we had ſcarcely proceeded 500 toiſes, when it blew freſher and obliged us to caſt an anchor. The Eſperance, however, continued to be towed, and nearly reached the entrance of the harbour before it grew dark.

A boat which we ſent out to fiſh, took ſo many at a ſingle draught of the net, that the diſtribution

was