ipped much water, and they all suffered greatly
from wet and cold. The surgeon and Lebogue still continued very ill, and
the only relief that could be afforded them was a small quantity of
wine, and encouraging them with the hope that a very few days more, at
the rate they were then sailing, would bring them to Timor.

'In the morning of the 10th, after a very comfortless night, there was a
visible alteration for the worse,' says Mr. Bligh, 'in many of the
people, which gave me great apprehensions. An extreme weakness, swelled
legs, hollow and ghastly countenances, a more than common inclination to
sleep, with an apparent debility of understanding, seemed to me the
melancholy presages of an approaching dissolution. The surgeon and
Lebogue, in particular, were most miserable objects. I occasionally gave
them a few teaspoonfuls of wine, out of the little that remained, which
greatly assisted them. The hope of being able to accomplish the voyage
was our principal support. The boatswain very innocently told me that he
really thought I looked worse than any in the boat. The simplicity with
which he uttered such an opinion amused me, and I returned him a better
compliment.'

On the 11th Lieutenant Bligh announced to his wretched companions that
he had no doubt they had now passed the meridian of the eastern part of
Timor, a piece of intelligence that diffused universal joy and
satisfaction. Accordingly at three in the morning of the following day
Timor was discovered at the distance only of two leagues from the shore.

'It is not possible for me,' says this experienced navigator, 'to
describe the pleasure which the blessing of the sight of this land
diffused among us. It appeared scarcely 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 three thousand six hundred and
eighteen nautical miles; and that, notwithstanding our extreme distress,
no one should have perished in the voyage.'

On Sunday the 14th they came safely to anchor in Coupang Bay, where they
were received with every mark of kindness, hospitality, and humanity.
The houses of the principal people were thrown open for their reception.
The poor sufferers when landed were scarcely able to walk; their
condition is described as most deplorable. 'The abilities of a painter
could rarely, perhaps, have been di