A very thick fog concealed from us, all day, the lofty mountains of New Ireland. But their summits appeared from time to time, and we had sight of mountains towards the centre of that island, at least 1,000 toises in perpendicular elevation. We observed large trees even on the highest of their peaks.
At four in the afternoon we lay to, with an intention to explore Sandwich Island the next day. But the currents hurried us along with such rapidity during the night, that at day break, when we were setting the sails, we were astonished to find ourselves not more than two hundred toises from that island.
The watch had probably been asleep; for we received no intimation that the current was driving us upon the coast; which, however, even at that small distance, happily presented no danger.
The island of Sandwich has no considerable elevation. Like New Ireland, it was covered with trees; and some old trunks, after losing part of their branches, were scattered here and there upon the little hills. Being covered with parasite plants, they looked like columns adorned with garlands, and added greatly to the picturesque appearance of that charming island.
The part of New Ireland too, which lies opposite to Sandwich Island, presents a tract but little
elevated.
