found a small drean[1] of a Tide setting away to the N.W., which continued until 2 in the morning, when the Water had fell 9 feet or better. This Tide of Ebb was then succeeded by the Flood, which came from the S.W.; yet we did not find the Water to rise much upon a perpendicular, or else the greatest fall of the Tide had not been well attended to in the night, for at 6, when we got under sail, we had no more than 3 fathoms under the ship, and yet we could not see the land from the Deck. After getting under sail we stood to the Northward with a light breeze at E., and deepned our Water by noon to 10 fathoms, having the Land just in sight from the Mast head to the S.E. At this time we were in the Lat. of 7° 39′ S., Long. 222° 42′ W.; Port St. Augustine bore S. 10° W., distant 15 Leagues.
Sunday, 2nd.—In the P.M. had Calm until 2, when a light breeze sprung up at N. by E., and we stood in for the Land E. by N. until 5, at which time we got the wind from the S.W., a light breeze, with which we steer'd N.E., edging in for the land, having it in sight from the Deck, and which I judged to be about 3 or 4 Leagues off, being very low land. Found the Variation to be 2° 34′ E., and a little before 8 o'Clock, having but little wind, we Anchor'd in 7 fathoms, soft Muddy bottom. In the Afternoon and evening we saw several Sea Snakes, some of which the people in the Boat alongside took up by hand. At daylight in the Morning we got under sail, and stood away to the N.N.E., having a fresh gale at East, which by noon brought us into the Lat. of 7° 14′ S., Long. 222° 30′ W.; Depth of Water 13 fathoms. Course and distance sail'd since Yesterday Noon is N. 24′ E., 27 Miles, having at this time no land in sight, for the Land, according to the Charts, trends more Easterly than the Wind would permit us to sail.
Monday, 3rd.—Steer'd N. by E., with a fresh breeze at E. by N. until 7 in the Evening, when the wind came to S.E. by S., with which we keept standing to the Eastward close upon a wind all Night, having from 17 to 10 fathoms pretty even Soundings. At daylight we saw the land extending from N. by E. to S.E., distant about 4 Leagues. We still keept standing in for it, having the advantage of a fresh gale at E.S.E. and E. by S., until near 9, when, being about 3 or 4 Miles off, and in 3 fathoms, we brought too and I went ashore in the pinnace, accompanied by Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, having a mind to land once in this Country before we quit it Altogether, which I now am determin'd to do without delay; for I found that it is only spending time to little purpose, and carrying us far out of our way, staying upon this Coast, which is so shallow that we can hardly keep within sight of land.
At the time we put off from the Ship we saw not the least sign
- ↑ Drain.
