to have, and which he gave to the scorbutic people, contributed not a little to this happy change.  The weather to-day was cloudy, and the wind very unsettled.  This seemed to announce the approach of the so-much-wished-for trade-wind; which, at eight o’clock in the evening, after two hours calm, and some heavy showers of rain, we actually got at S.E.  We were, at this time, in the latitude of 19 deg. 36’ S., longitude 131 deg. 32” W. The not meeting with the S.E. trade-wind sooner, is no new thing in this sea.  As we had now got it, I directed my course to the W.N.W., as well to keep in the strength of it, as to get to the north of the islands discovered in my former voyage; that if any other islands lay in the way, I might have a chance to discover them.[7] During the day-time we made all the sail we could; but, in the night, either run an easy sail, or lay-to.  We daily saw flying-fish, albacores, dolphins, &c., but neither by striking, nor with hook and line, could we catch any of them.  This required some art, which none of my people were masters of.

On the 11th at day-break, land was seen to the south.  This, upon a nearer approach, we found to be an island of about two leagues in extent, in the direction of N.W. and S.E., and clothed with wood, above which the cocoa-nut trees shewed their lofty heads.  I judged it to be one of those isles discovered by Mr Bougainville.  It lies in the latitude of 17 deg. 24’, longitude 141 deg. 39’ W., and I called it after the name of the ship, Resolution Island.  The sickly state of the Adventure’s crew made it necessary for me to make the best of my way to Otaheite, where I was sure of finding refreshments.  Consequently I did not wait to examine this island, which appeared too small to supply our wants, but continued our course to the west, and at six o’clock in the evening, land was seen from the mast-head, bearing W. by S. Probably this was another of Bougainville’s discoveries.  I named it Doubtful Island, and it lies in the latitude of 17 deg. 20’, longitude 141 deg. 38’ W. I was sorry I could not spare time to haul to the north of Mr Bougainville’s track; but the getting to a place where we could procure refreshments, was more an object at this time than discovery.[8]

During the night we steered W. by N., in order to pass the north of the island above-mentioned.  At day-break the next morning, we discovered land right a-head, distant about two miles; so that day-light advised us of our danger but just in time.  This proved another of these low or half-drowned islands, or rather a large coral shoal of about twenty leagues in circuit.  A very small part of it was land, which consisted of little islets ranged along the north side, and connected by sand-banks and breakers.  These islets were clothed with wood, among which the cocoa-nut trees were only distinguishable.  We ranged the south side of this isle or shoal at the distance of one or two miles from the coral-bank, against which the sea broke in a dreadful surf.  In the middle is a large lake or inland sea, in which was a canoe under sail.