At noon I observed in latitude 13 degrees 33 minutes south; longitude by account from Tofoa 33 degrees 28 minutes west; course north 84 degrees west, distance 114 miles.  With the usual allowance of bread and water for dinner I served an ounce of pork to each person.  This afternoon we had many birds about us which are never seen far from land, such as boobies and noddies.

Allowance lessened.

As the sea began to run fair, and we shipped but little water, I took the opportunity to examine into the state of our bread and found that, according to the present mode of issuing, there was a sufficient quantity remaining for 29 days allowance, by which time I hoped we should be able to reach Timor.  But as this was very uncertain and it was possible that, after all, we might be obliged to go to Java, I determined to proportion the allowance so as to make our stock hold out six weeks.  I was apprehensive that this would be ill received, and that it would require my utmost resolution to enforce it for, small as the quantity was which I intended to take away for our future good, yet it might appear to my people like robbing them of life, and some, who were less patient than their companions, I expected would very ill brook it.  However on my representing the necessity of guarding against delays that might be occasioned in our voyage by contrary winds, or other causes, and promising to enlarge upon the allowance as we got on, they cheerfully agreed to my proposal.  It was accordingly settled that every person should receive one 25th of a pound of bread for breakfast, and the same quantity for dinner, so that by omitting the proportion for supper, we had 43 days allowance.

Monday 25.

At noon some noddies came so near to us that one of them was caught by hand.  This bird was about the size of a small pigeon.  I divided it with its entrails into 18 portions, and by a well-known method at sea of Who shall have this?* it was distributed with the allowance of bread and water for dinner, and ate up bones and all, with salt water for sauce.  I observed the latitude 13 degrees 32 minutes south; longitude made 35 degrees 19 minutes west; course north 89 degrees west, distance 108 miles.

(Footnote.  One person turns his back on the object that is to be divided:  another then points separately to the portions, and each of them asking aloud, “Who shall have this?” to which the first answers by naming somebody.  This impartial method of division gives every man an equal chance of the best share.)

In the evening several boobies flying very near to us we had the good fortune to catch one of them.  This bird is as large as a duck:  like the noddy it has received its name from seamen for suffering itself to be caught on the masts and yards of ships.  They are the most presumptive proofs of being in the neighbourhood of land of any seafowl we are acquainted with.  I directed the bird to be killed for supper, and the blood to be given to three of the people who were the most distressed for want of food.  The body, with the entrails, beak, and feet, I divided into 18 shares, and with an allowance of bread, which I made a merit of granting, we made a good supper, compared with our usual fare.