Page:Early voyages to Terra Australis.djvu/199

 BOOK OF DISPATCHES. 51

After all this (by the help of God) shall be fortunately- transacted, which we hope can be done before the end of the month of June (having either reached Houtman's Abrolhos or Van Diemen's Land), you have to steer your course to the south coast of Java, and along the coast through the Strait of Sunda, to return to Batavia : at which place we shall expect you in July following attended with good suc- cess.

Of all the lands, countries, islands, capes, points or coves, inlets, bays, rivers, shoals, reefs, sands, cliffs, rocks, etc., which you meet with and pass in this discovery, as well upon the coast of Nova Guinea and the south land, as in the Indian Ocean and the inland seas, you are to make accurate maps and circumstantial descriptions, and to draw perfectly the views and form, for which purpose a draughtsman is to go along with you.

Be particularly careful about longitude and latitude, in what direction and at what distances the coasts, islands, capes, points, bays and rivers are situated from one and other, and what are the marks by which they may be known, as mountains, hills, trees, or buildings to be seen thereupon.

Take a thorough survey of the depth of the water near shore, and of the sunken rocks, the rapid current of the rivers at the points, how and by what marks they are to be avoided, and if the bottom is hard, soft, sharp, flat, sloping, or steep, and if they may be approached or not, by the soundings ; upon what marks the best anchoring places in harbours and bays are to be found, how the inlets and rivers are to be entered, what winds usually blow in the different parts : the course of the streams, whether ebb and flood are regulated by the moon or wind ; what alterations of mon- soon, rain or dry weather you experience ; and observe farther diligently to remark and note down (which is the duty of all able pilots) whatever may be of service in future voyages to the discovered countries.