under one of the islands, to have waited for better weather, for on sounding we found only twenty-nine fathoms water; but when I considered that this was running to leeward in the dark, I chose to keep without the islands, and accordingly hauled off to the north.  At eight o’clock we were abreast of the most eastern isle, distant from it about two miles, and had the same depth of water as before.  I now shortened sail to the three top-sails, to wait for clear weather; for the fog was so thick that we could see no other land than this island.  After waiting an hour, and the weather not clearing, we bore up and hauled round the east end of the island, for the sake of smooth water and anchorage, if it should be necessary.  In hauling round, we found a strong race of a current, like unto broken water; but we had no less than nineteen fathoms.  We also saw on the island abundance of seals and birds.  This was a temptation too great for people in our situation to withstand, to whom fresh provisions of any kind were acceptable; and determined me to anchor, in order that we might taste of what we now only saw at a distance.  At length, after making a few boards, fishing, as it were, for the best ground, we anchored in twenty-one fathoms water, a stony bottom, about a mile from the island, which extended from N. 18 deg.  E. to N. 55 deg. 1/2 W.; and soon after, the weather clearing up, we saw Cape St John, or the east end of Staten Land, bearing S. 76 deg.  E., distant four leagues.  We were sheltered from the south wind by Staten Land, and from the north wind by the island; the other isles lay to the west, and secured us from that wind; but beside being open to the N.E. and E., we also lay exposed to the N.N.W. winds.  This might have been avoided by anchoring more to the west, but I made choice of my situation for two reasons; first, to be near the island we intended to land upon, and, secondly, to be able to get to sea with any wind.

After dinner we hoisted out three boats, and landed with a large party of men; some to kill seals, others to catch or kill birds, fish, or what came in our way.  To find the former it mattered not where we landed, for the whole shore was covered with them; and by the noise they made one would have thought the island was stocked with cows and calves.  On landing we found they were a different animal from seals, but in shape and motion exactly resembling them.  We called them lions, on account of the great resemblance the male has to that beast.  Here were also the same kind of seals which we found in New Zealand, generally known by the name of sea-bears; at least we gave them that name.

They were, in general, so tame, or rather stupid, as to suffer us to come near enough to knock them down with sticks; but the large ones we shot, not thinking it safe to approach them.  We also found on the island abundance of penguins and shags; and the latter had young ones almost fledged, and just to our taste.  Here were geese and ducks, but not many; birds of prey, and a few small birds.  In the evening we returned on board, our boats well laden with one thing or other.