etween the
east part of Timor and New Guinea. I however hoped to fall in with Timor
every hour, for I had great apprehensions that some of my people could
not hold out. An extreme weakness, swelled legs, hollow and ghastly
countenances, great propensity to sleep, with an apparent debility of
understanding, seemed to me melancholy presages of their approaching
dissolution. The surgeon and Lebogue, in particular were most miserable
objects. I occasionally gave them a few tea-spoonfuls of wine, out of
the little I had saved for this dreadful stage, which no doubt greatly
helped to support them.

For my own part, a great share of spirits, with the hopes of being able
to accomplish the voyage, seemed to be my principal support; but the
boatswain very innocently told me, that he really thought I looked worse
than any one in the boat. The simplicity with which he uttered such an
opinion diverted me, and I had good humour enough to return him a better
compliment.

Every one received his 25th of a pound of bread, and quarter of a pint
of water, at evening, morning, and noon, and an extra allowance of water
was given to those who desired it.

At noon I observed in latitude 9 deg. 41' S; course S 77 deg. W; distance 109
miles; longitude made 13 deg. 49' W. I had little doubt of having now passed
the meridian of the eastern part of Timor, which is laid down in 128 deg. E.
This diffused universal joy and satisfaction.

[Sidenote: Friday 12.]

Friday, June the 12th. Fresh breezes and fine weather, but very hazy.
Wind from E to S E.

All the afternoon we had several gannets, and many other birds, about
us, that indicated we were near land, and at sun-set we kept a very
anxious look-out. In the evening we caught a booby, which I reserved for
our dinner the next day.

[Sidenote: 1789. JUNE 12.]

At three in the morning, with an excess of joy, we discovered Timor
bearing from W S W to W N W, and I hauled on a wind to the N N E till
day-light, when the land bore from S W by S about two leagues to N E by
N seven leagues.

It is not possible for me to describe the pleasure which the blessing of
the sight of land diffused among us. It appeared scarce credible, 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 perish