erfully took it upon himself; without which it
was evident, I should have been too late at Batavia to have sailed for
Europe with the October fleet. I can only return such services by ever
retaining a grateful remembrance of them.

Mr. Max the town surgeon likewise behaved to us with the most
disinterested humanity: he attended everyone with the utmost care, for
which I could not prevail on him to receive any payment, or to render me
any account, or other answer than that it was his duty.

CHAPTER 19.

From Timor to Batavia.

AUGUST 1789.

Thursday 20.

From Coupang we steered north-west by west having a moderate breeze at
south-east with fair weather.

Saturday 22.

At daylight we saw the island Flores to the northward. At noon latitude
observed 9 degrees 27 minutes south, and longitude by account from
Coupang 2 degrees 10 minutes west. Our distance from the coast of Flores
was about 10 leagues; and two high peaked mountains bore north half east
and north-north-west. These two mountains resemble each other in shape
and the westernmost is a volcano. The interior parts of Flores are
mountainous and woody: but near the sea-coast is a fine open country. A
Dutch map with which I was provided places the south part of Flores in 9
degrees 3 minutes south which I am of opinion is too far south. We
steered along the south side of Flores, mostly with light winds and hazy
weather, so that we did not constantly keep sight of the coast.

Tuesday 25.

At noon we were off Toorns island which bore north-west by north three or
four leagues distant. Our latitude observed was 8 degrees 57 minutes
south and longitude made by dead reckoning from Coupang 3 degrees 27
minutes west. Toorns island is about four leagues in circuit and has a
craggy and uneven appearance. There is a curious high peak on the
south-west part: the land near the shore is low and woody.

Thursday 27.

On the 27th at noon we were near the entrance of the Straits of Mangaryn,
which not appearing so open and clear as represented in the map, I
steered for the straits of Sapi, intending to pass through; but was
obliged to give up this plan by strong currents setting to the south-east
which there was not sufficient wind to enable us to stem.

Saturday 29.

I therefore again stood for the Straits of Mangaryn which we ran through
in the afternoon of the 29th, being favoured with a fresh breeze from the
south-south-east. On our first entering the straits we