Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/323

] good bottom, but it is exposed to the south-east wind, which blew at that time.

We soon after perceived at a distance, to the south, several canoes making towards the island of St. Croix; others were seen at a still greater distance, apparently employed in fishing in shallow water; at the same time we descried to the south another shoal very near us, and which extended far to the westward.

We had just discovered Volcano Island, when a great number of canoes left Gracious Bay, and made towards us, and as we had very little wind, they had sufficient time to come up with us. We already counted seventy-four, which had stopped at the distance of eight or nine hundred yards from the vessel, when the clouds, which had gathered on the mountains, caused the savages, by whom these perilous vessels were manned, to be apprehensive for their safety if they remained longer at sea. They immediately paddled towards the shore, but before they had reached it a violent squall, accompanied with a heavy shower of rain, very much impeded their progress.

We stood off and on all night. The General proposed to anchor in Gracious Bay the next day. Several fires were kindled on the coast, to which we were near enough to distinguish the