>774- At day-break on the 21ft, we found ourfelves before the
July. ' ■
'---- -----> channel that divides Whitfuntide Ifland from the South Land,
Thurfday 21» t . i * i , . which is about two leagues over. At this time, the land to
the fouthward extended from S, by E. round to the Weft,
farther than the eye could reach, and on the part neareft to
us, which is of confiderable height, we obferved two very
large columns of fmoke, which, I judged, afcended from
Volcanos. We now flood S. S. W., with a fine breeze at S. E.;
and at ten o’clock, difcovered this part o f the land to be an
ifland which is called by the natives Ambrym. Soon after
an elevated land appeared open of the South end of Ambrym
; and after that, another ftill higher, on which is a
high peaked hill. We judged thefe lands to belong to two
feparate iflands. The firft came in fight at S. E .; the fecond
at E. by South, and they appeared to be ten leagues diftant.
Holding on our courfe for the land a-head, at noon it was
five miles diftant from us, extending from S. S. E. to N. W.
by W., and appeared to be continued. The iflands to the
Eaft bore from N. E by E. to S. E. by E., latitude obferved
r6° 17' South. As we drew nearer the fhore we difcovered a
creek, which had the appearance of being a good harbour,
formed by a low point or peninfula, projecting out to the
North. On this a number of people were affembled, who
feemed to invite us afhore; probably with no good intent,,
as the moft of them were armed with bows and arrows. In
order to gain room and time to hoift out and arm our boats,
to reconnoitre this place, we tacked and made a trip off,,
which occaftoned the difcovery of another port about a
league more to the South. Having fent two armed boats to
found, and look for anchorage, on their making the fignal
for the latter, we failed in S-. S. W., and anchored in eleven faj-
thoms water, not two cables’-length from, the S. E.. Ihore,.
and a mile within the entrance. We-
We had no fooner anchored than feveral of the natives
came off in canoes. They were very cautious at firft; but, c——.—
at laft, trufted themfelves along-fide, and exchanged, tor
pieces of cloth, arrows ; fome of which were pointed with
bone, and dipped in fome green gummy fubftance, which
we naturally fuppofed was poifonous. Two men having
ventured on board, after a fhort flay I fent them away with
prefents. Others, probably induced by this, came off by
moon-light; but I gave orders to permit none to come along-
fide ; by which means we got clear of them for the night.
Next morning early, a good many came round us, fome Friday au
in canoes, and others fwimming. I foon prevailed on one
to come on board; which he no fooner did, than he was followed
by more than I defired; fo that not only our deck, but
rigging was prefently filled with them. I took four into the
eabbin, and gave them various articles, which they fhewed
to thofe in the canoes, and feemed much pleafed with their
reception. While I was thus making friends with thofe in
the eabbin, an accident happened that threw all into con-
fufion, but in the end, I believe, proved advantageous to us.
A fellow in a canoe having been refufed admittance into one
of our boats .that lay along-fide, bent his bow to fhoot a
poifoned arrow at the boat-keeper. Some of his countrymen
prevented his doing it that, ihftant, and gave time to acquaint
me with it. I ran inftantly on deck, and faw another
man ftruggjing with him ;. one of thofe: who had been in
the eabbin, and had leapt out-of the window for this pur-
pofe. The other feemed jefolved, fhook- him off, and directed
his bow again to the boat-keeper;, but, on my calling
to him, pointed it at me. Having a mufquet in my hand-
loaded with fmall. fliot, I. gave him the contents. This.
ftaggered;