et high.
Even those of the sick who were not in the very last stage of the
distemper, though they had been long confined to their hammocks,
exerted their small remains of strength, and crawled up to the deck,
to feast their eyes with this reviving prospect.

We thus coasted along the island, fully occupied in contemplating this
enchanting landscape, which still improved as we proceeded. But at
last the night closed upon us, before we could determine upon the
proper bay in which to anchor. It was resolved, therefore, to keep in
soundings all night, having then from sixty-four to seventy fathoms,
and to send our boat next morning to discover the road. The current
shifted, however, in the night, and set us so near the land that we
were obliged to let go our best bower in fifty-six fathoms, not half
a mile from shore. At four next morning, the cutter was dispatched,
under our third-lieutenant, to find out the bay of which we were in
search. The boat returned at noon, full of seals and grass; for though
the island abounded with better vegetables, the boat's crew, during
their short stay, had not met any other, and thought even this would
be acceptable as a dainty, and indeed it was all speedily and eagerly
devoured. The seals, too, were considered as fresh provision, but were
not much admired, though they afterwards came into more repute; but we
had taken a prodigious quantity of excellent fish during the absence
of the boat, which rendered the seals less valuable at this time.

The cutter had discovered the bay in which we intended to anchor,
which was to the westward of our present station; and next morning,
the weather proving favourable, we endeavoured to weigh, in order to
proceed thither, mustering all the strength we could, obliging even
the sick, who could hardly stand on their legs, to assist; yet the
capstan was so weakly manned, that it was near four hours before we
could heave the cable right up and down: after which, with our utmost
efforts, though with many surges and some additional purchases to
increase our strength, we found it utterly impossible to start the
anchor out of the ground. At noon, however, as a fresh gale blew
towards the bay, we were induced to set the sails, which fortunately
tripped the anchor. We then steered along shore, till we came abreast
of the point forming the eastern part of the bay: But on opening the
bay, the wind, which had hitherto favoured us, chanced to shift, and
blew from t