The south-west point of the entrance bore west half south three miles; the south-east point south by west three-quarters of a mile; and the island Roti from south by west one quarter west to south-west one quarter west about five leagues.

While we lay here I found the ebb came from the northward, and before our departure the falling of the tide discovered to us a reef of rocks about two cables length from the shore, the whole being covered at high-water renders it dangerous.  On the opposite shore also appeared very high breakers; but there is nevertheless plenty of room and certainly a safe channel for a first-rate man of war.

The bay or sound within, seemed to be of a considerable extent, the northern part being about five leagues distant.  Here the land made in moderate risings joined by lower grounds.  But the island Roti to the southward is the best mark by which to know this place.

I had just time to make these remarks when I saw the boatswain and gunner returning with some of the natives:  I therefore no longer doubted of our success and that our expectations would be fully gratified.  They brought five Indians and informed me that they had found two families where the women treated them with European politeness.  From these people I learned that the governor resided at a place called Coupang which was some distance to the north-east.  I made signs for one of them to go in the boat and show us the way to Coupang, intimating that I would pay him for his trouble:  the man readily complied and came into the boat.

These people were of a dark tawny colour, had long black hair, and chewed a great deal of betel.  Their dress was a square piece of cloth round the hips in the folds of which was stuck a large knife; a handkerchief wrapped round the head, and another hanging by the four corners from the shoulders, which served as a bag for their betel equipage.  They brought us a few pieces of dried turtle and some ears of Indian corn.  This last was the most welcome; for the turtle was so hard that it could not be eaten without being first soaked in hot water.  They offered to bring us some other refreshments if I would wait, but as the pilot was willing I determined to push on.  It was about half an hour past four when we sailed.

By direction of the pilot we kept close to the east shore under all our sail; but as night came on the wind died away and we were obliged to try at the oars which I was surprised to see we could use with some effect.  At ten o’clock, finding we advanced but slowly, I came to a grapnel and for the first time I issued double allowance of bread and a little wine to each person.

Sunday 14.

At one o’clock in the morning, after the most happy and sweet sleep that ever men enjoyed, we weighed and continued to keep the east shore on board in very smooth water; when at last I found we were again open to the sea, the whole of the land to the westward that we had passed being an island which the pilot called Pulo Samow.  The northern entrance of this channel is about a mile and a half or two miles wide and I had no ground at ten fathoms.