should reach next evening. We shaped our course for Wednesday Island, and directed the other boats to keep ahead, as they drew much less water. However, they, in a very short time, fell astern, and we led the way, keeping a sharp look out, to avoid reefs and sandbanks.
About eight o'clock, we were alarmed by repeated reports of musketry; our sail was instantly lowered, and in a few minutes we saw both boats, and learned that all was well, and that the firing had proceeded from the jolly-boat, the crew of which, it appeared, had imprudently drunk their whole allowance of spirits.
About midnight, land, apparently a small island, was discovered[1], bearing west. We hauled to the northward, and soon perceived another island on our larboard beam, and a third on our larboard bow. We had not continued our course for to the northward, when the well known and dreaded sound of breakers was distinctly heard right a-head. We instantly wore, and stood to the southward, intending to pass between the first and second islands, by a passage that appeared two or three miles wide; but it being probable that the channel might be strewed with reefs; and the moon only affording a very dubious light,—rendered more
- ↑ In the first instance, we imagined this to be Mount Adolphus, but it was not so. From the haziness of the atmosphere, and the horizon being undefined, we could not ascertain our latitude from the altitude of any of the stars, and although the attempt was made, the result could not be depended on.
