Sunday, 31st.—­Many small islands were in sight to the northeast.  We landed at one of a good height, bearing north one-half west.  The shore was rocky, but the water was smooth, and we landed without difficulty.  I sent two parties out, one to the northward, and the other to the southward, to seek for supplies, and others I ordered to stay by the boat.  On this occasion fatigue and weakness so far got the better of their sense of duty, that some of the people expressed their discontent at having worked harder than their companions, and declared that they would rather be without their dinner than go in search of it.  One person, in particular, went so far as to tell me, with a mutinous look, that he was as good a man as myself.  It was not possible for me to judge where this might have an end, if not stopped in time; therefore, to prevent such disputes in future, I determined either to preserve my command, or die in the attempt; and seizing a cutlass, I ordered him to take hold of another and defend himself, on which he called out that I was going to kill him, and immediately made concessions.  I did not allow this to interfere further with the harmony of the boat’s crew and everything soon became quiet.  We here procured some oysters and clams, also some dog-fish caught in the holes of the rocks, and a supply of water.

Leaving this island, which I named Sunday Island, we continued our course towards Endeavor Straits.  During our voyage Nelson became very ill, but gradually recovered.  Next day we landed at another island, to see what we could get.  There were proofs that the island was occasionally visited by natives from New Holland.  Encamping on the shore, I sent out one party to watch for turtle, and another to try to catch birds.  About midnight the bird party returned, with only twelve noddies, birds which I have already described to be about the size of pigeons; but if it had not been for the folly and obstinacy of one of the party, who separated from the other two, and disturbed the birds, they might have caught a great number.  I was so much provoked at my plans being thus defeated, that I gave this offender a good beating.  This man afterwards confessed that, wandering away from his companions, he had eaten nine birds raw.  Our turtling party had no success.

Tuesday and Wednesday we still kept our course northwest, touching at an island or two for oysters and clams.  We had now been six days on the coast of New Holland, and but for the refreshment which our visit to its shore afforded us, it is all but certain that we must have perished.  Now, however, it became clear that we were leaving it behind, and were commencing our adventurous voyage through the open sea to Timor.