f pits we found no water, so that we set
sail again and came to anchor in the evening in 21/2 fathom.

MAY.

In the morning of the 1st the wind was E.; the skipper once more rowed
ashore with the pinnace, and having caused three pits to be dug he at
last found fresh water forcing its way through the sand; we used our best
endeavours to take in a stock of the same; about 400 paces north of the
farthest of the pits that had been dug, they also found a small
fresh-water lake, but the water that collected in the pits was found to
be a good deal better.

In the morning of the 2nd the wind was E.N.E., and went round to S.W.
later in the day; we continued taking in water.

On the 3rd we went on taking in water as before; the wind was N.E., and
about noon turned to S.W.. I went ashore myself with 10 musketeers, and
we advanced a long way into the wood without seeing any human beings; the
land here is low-lying and without hills as before, in Lat. 15 deg. 20' it is
very dry and barren, for during all the time we have searched and
examined this part of the coast to our best ability, we have not seen one
fruit-bearing tree, nor anything that man could make use of; there are no
mountains or even hills, so that it may be safely concluded that the land
contains no metals, nor yields any precious woods, such as sandal-wood,
aloes or columba; in our judgment this is the most arid and barren region
that could be found anywhere on the earth; the inhabitants, too, are the
most wretched and poorest creatures that I have ever seen in my age or
time; as there are no large trees anywhere on this coast, they have no
boats or canoes whether large or small; this is near the place which we
touched at on the voyage out on Easter-day, April the 16th; in the new
chart we gave given to this spot the name of Waterplaets [*]; at his
place the beach is very fine, with excellent gravelly sand and plenty of
delicious fish.(Waterplaats is in 15 degrees 13 minutes Lat.)

[* Mitchell River.]

(Vereenichde revier.)

In the morning of the 4th the wind was E.N.E. with good weather, course
held N. in 71/2 fathom. we could just see the land; at noon we were in 15 deg.
12' Lat.; slightly to northward we saw a river to which we have given the
name of Vereenichde revier: all through the night the wind was W., course
held N.N.E. towards the land.

In the morning of the 5th the wind was E., course held N.; at noon we
were in 14 deg. 5' Lat.; shortly after the