about 10
leagues from Cape St. George; between which there runs in a deep bay for
20 leagues or more. We saw some high land in spots like islands down in
that bay at a great distance; but whether they are islands or the main
closing there we know not. The next morning we saw other land to the
south-east of the westermost point, which till then was clouded; it was
very high land, and the same that we saw the day before, that disappeared
in a cloud. This Cape St. George lies in the latitude of 5 degrees 5
minutes south; and meridian distance from Cape Mabo 1290 miles. The
island off this cape I called St. George's Isle; and the bay between it
and the west point I named St. George's Bay. Note: no Dutch charts go so
far as this cape, by 10 leagues. On the 10th in the evening we got within
a league of the westermost land seen, which is pretty high and very
woody, but no appearance of anchoring. I stood off again, designing (if
possible) to ply to and fro in this bay till I found a conveniency to
wood and water. We saw no more plantations, nor coconut-trees; yet in the
night we discerned a small fire right against us. The next morning we saw
a burning mountain in the country. It was round, high, and peaked at top
(as most volcanoes are) and sent forth a great quantity of smoke. We took
up a log of driftwood and split it for firing; in which we found some
small fish.

CAPE ORFORD.

The day after we passed by the south-west cape of this bay, leaving it to
the north of us: when we were abreast of it I called my officers
together, and named it Cape Orford, in honour of my noble patron;
drinking his lordship's health. This cape bears from Cape St. George
south-west about 18 leagues. Between them there is a bay about 25 leagues
deep, having pretty high land all round it, especially near the capes,
though they themselves are not high. Cape Orford lies in the latitude of
5 degrees 24 minutes south by my observation; and meridian distance from
Cape St. George 44 miles west. The land trends from this cape north-west
by west into the bay, and on the other side south-west per compass, which
is south-west 9 degrees west, allowing the variation which is here 9
degrees east. The land on each side of the cape is more savannah than
woodland, and is highest on the north-west side. The cape itself is a
bluff point of an indifferent height with a flat tableland at top. When
we were to the south-west of the cape it appeared to be a low point
s