Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/237

1838.], stock, &c., and supplies of very excellent sugar and rum, which were obtained at a very reasonable rate from the estate of Mr. Bridge, we quitted Realejo and our good friends there, steering for Cape St. Helena, and, on rounding it, direct for the search where I suspected Culebra to be situated.

At daylight on Sunday, the 25th of March, we were close off the port, but not being able to detect the Viradores, we wore, and intended running further south; as Kellet had informed me that in his search for me he had been unable to find it.

While in the act of wearing, a gleam of sunshine showed an island inshore, which induced me to make another attempt, and on reaching to windward we opended the heads and discovered the Viradores, but even then could only ascertain from the mast head that any recess of bay lay within. At noon we entered the heads, and at three anchored in eight fathoms in this splendid port, justly deserving that appellation.

On landing, I met with some natives, who confirmed us in the name of the port. On Monday we commenced our survey, to meet that of the outer bay, entrusted to Kellett, which we completed in forty-eight hours. I now found that my conjecture respecting the position of the Viradores was correct. The sketch given in Bauza's chart can only be given from an eye-sketch or memory.

The port is certainly magnificent, and from information derived from the natives, I learned that