Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/271

] habitants. It was not long before we saw some of them.

The wind having varied from the north-east to the north and north-west, we brought to, about ten at night. This was not, perhaps, the most prudent manœuvre in our situation; for when danger is near, we should always be prepared to avoid it. It would certainly have been preferable to have kept tacking, in order that we might be able to manœuvre conveniently, in case any troublesome incidents had occurred.

23d. We were baffled by the winds all night, and at noon, were only in lat. 21° 37′ S., and long. 162° 47′ E.

We saw some mountains which were covered with trees to the summits.

The fires which we observed near the shore, indicated a great concourse of savages. They were probably brought together by the appearance of our ship, which was detained by contrary winds, almost in the same place.

About three o'clock, being about the distance of 35,000 toises from the land, we observed, near the beach, a group of twelve Caledonians, whose looks were directed towards us, and who seemed to be astonished at seeing our ship, at so small a distance from their island. Three