which we observed, on leaving the strait, very near the coast of Bantana. But several persons were of opinion, that there was water enough to carry over both the ships.
The opening of the strait on this end is near 15,000 toises in breadth. We observed in it two little islands, very near the Bantana shore.
The western point of Salwaty was found in 1° 2′ 10″ S. lat., and 128° 32′ E. longitude.
The constancy of the wind from S.S.E. deprived us of all hope of getting round Mixoal island to the eastward. We were therefore obliged to endeavour to make the north of Ceram, in order to get round, by the western extremity of that island, to Amboyna.
About six o'clock P.M. we were 15,000 toises distant from the island of Popo, which bore S. 6° W.
The next day we steered with that island on our starboard, distant about 8,000 toises. It presented a flat surface, in the midst of which rose three hills, near one another. We had a near view of some little islands to the south-west, and which extend nearly from the north-east, to the south-west.
The island of Popo is in 1° 9′ 44″ S. lat., and 127° 40′ E. longitude.
We saw the islands of Canary and Mixoal,
with
