e simplicity with which he uttered such
an opinion amused me and I returned him a better compliment.

Our latitude at noon was 9 degrees 16 minutes south. Longitude from the
north part of New Holland 12 degrees 1 minute west. Course since
yesterday noon west half south 111 miles. Birds and rock-weed showed that
we were not far from land, but I expected such signs here as there are
many islands between the east part of Timor and New Guinea. The night was
more moderate than the last.

Thursday 11.

Everyone received the customary allowance of bread and water, and an
extra allowance of water was given to those who were most in need. At
noon I observed in latitude 9 degrees 41 minutes south; course 77 degrees
west, distance 109 miles; longitude made 13 degrees 49 minutes west. I
had little doubt of having now passed the meridian of the eastern part of
Timor which is laid down in 128 degrees east. This diffused universal joy
and satisfaction.

In the afternoon we saw gannets and many other birds, and at sunset we
kept a very anxious lookout. In the evening we caught a booby which I
reserved for our dinner the next day.

Friday 12.

At three in the morning, with an excess of joy, we discovered Timor
bearing from west-south-west to west-north-west, and I hauled on a wind
to the north-north-east till daylight, when the land bore from south-west
by south to north-east by north. Our distance from the shore two leagues.

It is not possible for me to describe the pleasure which the blessing of
the sight of this land diffused among us. It appeared scarce credible to
ourselves that, in an open boat and so poorly provided, we should have
been able to reach the coast of Timor in forty-one days after leaving
Tofoa, having in that time run, by our log, a distance of 3618 miles; and
that, notwithstanding our extreme distress, no one should have perished
in the voyage.

I have already mentioned that I knew not where the Dutch settlement was
situated but I had a faint idea that it was at the south-west part of the
island. I therefore, after daylight, bore away alongshore to the
south-south-west, which I was the more readily induced to do as the wind
would not suffer us to go towards the north-east without great loss of
time.

The day gave us a most agreeable prospect of the land which was
interspersed with woods and lawns; the interior part mountainous, but the
shore low. Towards noon the coast became higher with some remarkable