òr Loo-choo Island. At eight o’clock we was the Sugar
Loaf of Captain Broughton, which is a small green island,
having a high remarkable cone in the middle. We left this
to the eastward, and continued steering to the south southwest,
hoping to get to leeward of the great island before
night, where we might remain in smooth water till the
weather became fine. While going along at a quick rate,
wé suddenly saw breakers close to us ;. we instantly hauled
to thè wind, and made all the sail we could carry. Our
situation was now very critical, for the swell caused by the
recent gale checked our way considerably, and a lee
current drifted us gradually towards the reef. Prom the
mast head we could look down upon the reef, which was of
a circular form, with a low island on its southern side; the
surf broke all round, but in the inside the water was quite
smooth, and being only a few feet deep, the coral, which
was of a bright green, appeared distinctly through it. At
the distance of one-tliird of a mile from where we were, no
bottom was to be found with our lead lines, so that anchoring
was out of the question. After being in this unpleasant
predicament for some time, we succeeded in weathering
the western end of the reef, which we had no sooner done,
than we saw a passage four or five miles wide, by which we
proceeded to leeward of the reef island, where we found the
water perfectly smooth. The Alceste rounded the reef
without difficulty, being half a league farther off than the
Lyra; which, as usual, had been stationed ahead to look
out, but had not perceived the danger sooner, owing to the
extreme haziness of the weather.
15th of September.—In the morning,, it was arranged
tha t the Lyra should proceed in shore in search of a harbour,
while the frigate remained in deep watèr. At ten o’clock I
thought we had discovered a place of security, and having
anchored the Lyra, sent three boats to examine it. A
sort of harbour was found, formed by coral reefs ; but the
passages being all intricate for large ships, and thè water
shallow inside, it is by no means safe. We fell in with
several people in canoes ; one man, who seemed to know
what we were searching for, directed us to a point of land to
the northward, and waved for us to go round it. While the
boats were away, several natives came off to the Lyra. No
people that we have yet met with have been so friendly;
for the moment they came alongside, one handed a ja r of
water up to us, and another a .basket of boiled sweet
potatoes, without asking or seeming to wish for any
recompense. Their manners were gentle and respectful ;
they uncovered their heads when in our presence, bowed
whenever they spoke to us ; and when we gave them some