und high island to the west of Pentare,
where I expected a good passage.

THE PASSAGE BETWEEN PENTARE AND LAUBANA.

We could not that day reach the west end of Pentare, but saw a deep bay
to the west of us, where I thought might be a passage through, between
Pentare and Laubana. But as yet the lands were shut one within another,
that we could not see any passage. Therefore I ordered to sail 7 leagues
more westerly, and lie by till next day. In the morning we looked out for
an opening but could see none; yet by the distance and bearing of a high
round island called Potoro, we were got to the west of the opening, but
not far from it. Wherefore I tacked and stood to the east, and the
rather, because I had reason to suppose this to be the passage we came
through in the Cygnet mentioned in my Voyage round the World; but I was
not yet sure of it because we had rainy weather, so that we could not now
see the land so well as we did then. We then accidentally saw the opening
at our first falling in with the islands; which now was a work of some
time and difficul to discover. However before 10 o'clock we saw the
opening plain; and I was the more confirmed in my knowledge of this
passage by a spit of sand and 2 islands at the north-east part of its
entrance. The wind was at south-south-west and we plied to get through
before night; for we found a good tide helping us to the south. About 7
or 8 leagues to the west of us we saw a high round peaked mountain, from
whose top a smoke seemed to ascend as from a volcano. There were 3 other
very high peaked mountains, 2 on the east and one on the west of that
which smoked.

In our plying to get through between Pentare and Laubana we had (as I
said) a good tide or current setting us to the southward. And it is to be
observed that near the shores in these parts we commonly find a tide
setting northwardly or southwardly as the land lies; but the northwardly
tide sets not above 3 hours in 12, having little strength; and sometimes
it only checks the contrary current which runs with great violence,
especially in narrow passes such as this between 2 islands. It was 12 at
night before we got clear of 2 other small islands that lay on the south
side of the passage; and there we had a very violent tide setting us
through against a brisk gale of wind. Notwithstanding which I kept the
pinnace out, for fear we should be becalmed. For this is the same place
through which I passed in the year 1687, men