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Rh should reach next evening. We shaped our course for Wednesday Island, and directed the other boats to keep ahead, as they drew much less water. However, they, in a very short time, fell astern, and we led the way, keeping a sharp look out, to avoid reefs and sandbanks.

About eight o'clock, we were alarmed by repeated reports of musketry; our sail was instantly lowered, and in a few minutes we saw both boats, and learned that all was well, and that the firing had proceeded from the jolly-boat, the crew of which, it appeared, had imprudently drunk their whole allowance of spirits.

About midnight, land, apparently a small island, was discovered, bearing west. We hauled to the northward, and soon perceived another island on our larboard beam, and a third on our larboard bow. We had not continued our course for to the northward, when the well known and dreaded sound of breakers was distinctly heard right a-head. We instantly wore, and stood to the southward, intending to pass between the first and second islands, by a passage that appeared two or three miles wide; but it being probable that the channel might be strewed with reefs; and the moon only affording a very dubious light,—rendered more