g first soaked in hot water. They offered to bring us
some other refreshments if I would wait, but as the pilot was willing I
determined to push on. It was about half an hour past four when we
sailed.

By direction of the pilot we kept close to the east shore under all our
sail; but as night came on the wind died away and we were obliged to try
at the oars which I was surprised to see we could use with some effect.
At ten o'clock, finding we advanced but slowly, I came to a grapnel and
for the first time I issued double allowance of bread and a little wine
to each person.

Sunday 14.

At one o'clock in the morning, after the most happy and sweet sleep that
ever men enjoyed, we weighed and continued to keep the east shore on
board in very smooth water; when at last I found we were again open to
the sea, the whole of the land to the westward that we had passed being
an island which the pilot called Pulo Samow. The northern entrance of
this channel is about a mile and a half or two miles wide and I had no
ground at ten fathoms.

The report of two cannon that were fired gave new life to everyone; and
soon after we discovered two square-rigged vessels and a cutter at anchor
to the eastward. We endeavoured to work to windward but were obliged to
take to our oars again, having lost ground on each tack. We kept close to
the shore and continued rowing till four o'clock when I brought to a
grapnel and gave another allowance of bread and wine to all hands. As
soon as we had rested a little we weighed again, and rowed till near
daylight when we came to a grapnel off a small fort and town which the
pilot told me was Coupang.

Among the things which the boatswain had thrown into the boat before we
left the ship was a bundle of signal flags that had been used by the
boats to show the depth of water in sounding; with these we had in the
course of the passage made a small jack which I now hoisted in the main
shrouds as a signal of distress, for I did not think proper to land
without leave.

Soon after daybreak a soldier hailed us to land, which I immediately did
among a crowd of Indians, and was agreeably surprised to meet with an
English sailor who belonged to one of the vessels in the road. His
captain he told me was the second person in the town; I therefore desired
to be conducted to him as I was informed the governor was ill and could
not then be spoken with.

Captain Spikerman received me with great humanity. I informed h