Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/285

] when passing through the channel to which he gave his name. The Esperance only distinguished three islands: we saw five distinctly, and, had we been nearer, we should probably have seen more. The mountains which form those islands, are of a moderate elevation, and almost every where covered with large trees. The little group occupies a space about ten leagues in circuit; the east and west points being extended into shoals.

After having sailed round them, we steered N.N.E. in order to view the eastern part of the island of Bougainville. About five o'clock P.M. we were near its southern extremity, where we espied a group of ten little islands, the largest of which extends from east to west. Being covered with large spreading trees, interspersed with palms, those islands presented an enchanting prospect. Very near their southern side, we observed among them some breakers, which rendered it dangerous to approach them.

Two canoes, in which we distinguished a number of natives, were under sail, and seemed to steer towards us; but they passed behind the little island nearest us, and their rapid motion soon carried them out of our sight. On the beach of the same little island, we saw a company of ten natives, near a canoe, which lay upon the sand, and