fail,, nor received any damage. We could not get back without
increafing the danger, as we had come in al moll before
the wind. Nor could we call.anchor, but with the certainty
©f having our cables inftantly cut.in two by the rocks. We
had no other refourCe but to proceed. To this, indeed, we
were encouraged, not only by being told, but by feeing,
that there was deeper water between us and the ihore.
However, that we might be better informed, the moment
we found a fpot where we could drop the anchor, clear of
rocks, we came to; and fent the Mailers, with the boats, fa
found.
Soon after we had anchored, which was about noon, fe-
v e ra lo f the inhabitants of Tongataboo came off in their
canoes to the Chips. Thefe, as well as our pilots, allured
us, that we fhouldfind deep water farther in, and a bottom
free from rocks. They were not miftaken ; for, about four
o’clock, the boats made the fignal for having found good
anchorage. Upon this we weighed, and flood in till dark,,
and then anchored in. nine fathoms, having a fine, clear
fandy bottom.
During the night we had fome fhowers of rain; but toward
the morning, the wind fhifted to the South, and South-
Eaft, and brought on fair weather. At day-break we weighed,
and, working in to the ihore, met with no abitruitions,.
but fuch as were vifible, and eafily. avoided.
While we were plying up to the harbour, to which the
natives direfted us, the king kept failing round us in
his canoe. There were, at the fame time, a great many
fmall canoes about the fhips. Two of thefe, which could
not get out of the way of his royal veflel, he run quite
over, with as. little concern, as i f they had been bits o f
wo od ,