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Rh the south-west of it. We were obliged to haul up S.S.W. before the visible extremity of the latter bore on our starboard bow.

We were now greatly embarrassed, and in much doubt respecting our position, which, as noon was fast approaching, and the sky overcast, there did not seem to be any probability of ascertaining: to add to our uneasiness, the rain fell in heavy and frequent showers, accompanied by strong squalls, which were driving us nearer than agreeable to the lee-shore, on which we could discern the sea breaking heavily.

Contrary to expectation, however, the sun burst through the clouds at noon, as if on purpose to show his meridian altitude, and then withdrew. Having ascertained our latitude to be 10° 16' south, we were convinced of what we had before conjectured, that the land on our lee was Banks' Island. We stood on, and succeeded in weathering its south-western point; and then we observed that it trended to the north-west.

In a short time, the sea, which had hitherto been