and deeper Water; and this we found, for by Noon we had deepned our water gradually to 17 fathoms, and this time we were by observation in the Latitude of 10° 10′ S., Longitude 220° 12′ W. Course and distance sail'd since yesterday at noon N. 76° W., 11 Leagues, no land in sight.
Monday, 27th.—Fresh breezes between the E. by N. and E.S.E., with which we steer'd W. until sun set; depth of Water from 27 to 23 fathoms. We now Reef'd the Topsails, shortened Sail, and hoisted in the pinnace and Long boat up alongside, and afterwards kept upon a Wind all night under our Topsails, 4 hours on one Tack and four hours on the other; depth of Water 25 fathoms, very even soundings. At daylight made all the Sail we could, and steer'd W.N.W. until 8 o'clock, then N.W.; at Noon we were by Observation in the Latitude of 9° 56′ S., Longitude 221° 00′ W.; Variation 2° 30′ E. Course and distance sail'd since yesterday at Noon N. 73° 33′ W., 49 miles.
Tuesday, 28th.—Fresh breezes at E. and E. by S. and fair weather. Continued a N.W. Course until sun set, at which time we shortned sail, and haul'd close upon a Wind to the Northward; depth of Water 21 fathoms. At 8 Tack'd and stood to the Southward until 12, then stood to the Northward under little Sail until daylight, sounding from 25 to 17 fathoms; Shoalding as we stood to the Northward. At this time we made sail and steer'd North in order to make the land of New Guinea; from the time of our making sail until noon the depth of Water gradually decreased from 17 to 12 fathoms, a stony and shelly bottom. We were now by Observation in the Latitude of 8° 52′ S., which is in the same Parrallel as the Southern parts of New Guinea as it is laid down in the Charts; but there are only 2 points so far to the S., and I reckon we are a degree to the Westward of both, and for that reason do not see the Land which trends more to the Northward. Our Course and distance sail'd since Yesterday is N.N.W., 69 Miles; Longitude in 221° 27′ W. The Sea in many places is here cover'd with a kind of a brown scum, such as Sailors generally call spawn; upon our first seeing it it alarm'd us, thinking we were among Shoals, but we found the same depth of Water were it was as in other places; neither Mr. Banks nor Dr. Solander could tell what it was, altho' they had of it to Examine.
Wednesday, 29th.—Continued standing to the Northward, with a fresh gale at E. by S. and S.E. until 6 o'clock, having very irregular and uncertain soundings from 24 to 7 fathoms. At 4 we made the Land from the Mast head, bearing N.W. by N., and which appear'd to be very low. At 6 it extended from W.N.W. to N.N.E., distant 4 or 5 Leagues. At this time hauld close upon a wind to the Eastward until 7 o'clock, then Tack'd and stood to the Southward until
