Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/365

] months after their date. It appeared to us, that their caution originated in the desire of saving themselves from being blamed by the government of Batavia, to which that of Amboyna is subordinate; for as soon as they had adopted regulations in that respect, they rendered us every service in their power.

We found that little island much better provided than we could have expected, with every article necessary for the prosecution of our voyage.

A captain in the service of the Dutch East India Company was sent by the Governor, to point out to us a proper anchoring place; and having made some tacks, we let go our anchor about half an hour past one P.M. in twenty-five fathoms water, bottom mud and sand. The tower of Victory Fort bore from us E. 9° N. the nearest redoubt W. 35° S. and the western point of the entrance of the road, W. 26° 30′ S. We were about 340 toises from the landing place, a wooden wharf, near which there is water for large ships. One of the Company's ships then lay at it, taking in a cargo of cloves.

At the same time there were in the road eighteen vessels under Dutch colours; but only one ship: most of the rest were brigs and sloops.

The Esperance came to an anchor half an hour after us, and bore N.E. ¼ N. of our position. CHAP.