2th we discovered a cluster of islands bearing from us W. by S. to
N.W. by N., but as the wind was favourable for us to proceed I did not
think it proper to lose time in examining them now, but intended to do it
on my return to the Friendly Islands.[55-1]

On the 14th, in the forenoon, we saw three islands, which we supposed to
be the three first islands seen by Mons. Bougainville and part of the
cluster called by him "Navigators' Islands," the largest of these islands
the natives called Toomahnuah.[55-2] We passed them at a convenient
distance and several canoes came towards the ship, and it was with great
difficulty that we prevailed on them to come alongside, and still greater
difficulty to get them into the ship. They brought very few things in
their canoes except cocoanuts, which I bought, and then gave them a few
things as presents before they left the ship, and after making the
necessary inquiries as far as our limited knowledge of the language would
permit us, I proceeded to the Westward and before daylight on the morning
of the 15th we saw another island. We ran down on the North side of it
and brought to occasionally to find and take on board canoes.

We found the same shyness amongst the natives here as at the last
islands, but a few presents being given to them they at last ventured on
board. The island is called by them Otootooillah.[55-3] It is at least 5
leagues long; we supposed it to be another of the islands seen by Mons.
Bougainville. We got soundings in 53 fathoms water, and the depth
decreased as we stood in shore, and there is probable anchorage on this
side of the island sheltered from the prevailing winds, but we did not
see the reef mentioned by Mons. Bougainville to run two leagues from the
West end.

After making inquiries after the _Bounty_ and tender and making presents
to our visitors, we steered to the Westward, inclining to the North and
before night saw Oattooa, bearing W.N.W. The South East end of this
island was also probably seen by Mons. Bougainville, but by his
description he could only have had a distant and a very imperfect view of
the island. On the 16th we ran down on the South side of it, almost to
the West end, and had frequent communication with the natives, but could
get no information relative either to the _Bounty_ or our tender. We saw
a few of the natives with blue, mulberry and other coloured beads about
their necks, and we understood that they got them from Cook at
T