Page:Colnett - Voyage to the South Pacific (IA cihm 33242).djvu/69

 permaceti whaling, to whom, I was intructed, to communicate, the circumtances and ituation of Europe, when I quitted it, that I did not think it neceary to beat again to the Southward. I was indeed, peruaded, that the greatet body of fihermen was to the Northward; as they would find the bet eaon there, and might then return with the Sun, without being liable to the uncertainty of getting fih to the Southward, in the winter eaon; from whence, if they were not uccesful, they would be obliged to proceed to the Northward, and thus have two winters to encounter.

On the third of June, P. M. we were, within ix or even leagues of the Ile Lobas or Seals, near the port of Pico, where we aw great numbers of that animal, and we had even fallen in with them, as far as fifty or ixty leagues from the land. Mr. Freier ays, that this ile is only one league and an half from the main land; but to me, it appeared to be twice that ditance. He alo adds, that the channel. between it, and the main land, is dangerous; but that, to the Northward of the iles, there is a mooth flat bank of and, which forms a creek, where the ea is o till, that a hip can anchor there, in eight fathoms water, and might careen in afety. This iland is of a moderate height, but, from the bet obervations I could make, in hazy weather, its coat appeared to be altogether barren to the Wetward. This place offers a good port for whalers, or in