Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/517

] ed into a vast basin. We were, however, at the distance of 10,200 toises from the coast, which the fog concealed from our view.

In the evening, the sky lowered on the land side; and flashes of lightning darted from the thickest clouds. Then the fog, which encircled the horizon, dissipated, and the wind shifting to the west, became very fresh.

4th. In the evening, Captain Huon acquainted the Commodore with the damage which the rudder of the Esperance had sustained. At the same time, he told us, that on board of his ship, they had long been reduced to an allowance of three quarters of a bottle of water per day; that they had been obliged to discontinue the distribution of antiscorbutic draughts; and that thirty butts of water then composed the whole stock on board the Esperance.

5th. About six o'clock this morning, our Commander sent Captain Huon a letter, letting him know the resolution which he had come to, respecting the situation of the two ships.

At noon; our latitude was 31° 52′ south, and our longitude 129° 10′ east, and we had sight of the land from E. to N. 10° W. being 5,100 toises from the nearest part of it.

As soon as the boat was hoisted in, we stood close