cleared up towards noon;. the wind for the greateft part, light and jg g |
variable.
It was Captain Dixon’s intention, if the wind permitted, to go
round thefe iflands, that we might not only clear the inhabitants
of their furs, but be able exaftly to determine their extent, for the
information of future navigators; at prefent, however, our progrefs
was very flow..
About eleven o’clock on the 27th, we had four canoes along-fide,
containing about thirty p e o p le , feveral of whom we knew to be
our old friends; théy brought feveral good cloaks and Ikins, which
fhewed that the trade on this fide of thefe iflands was far from being
exhaufted.' In the afternoon three other canoes came to us, bringing
feveral excellent fldns, which was an additional encouragement
for us to’ proceed. Our latitude at noon was 52 deg. 18 min.
North, a b o u t three miles diftant from Ihore.
Thefe people difpofed of their furs in the fame ready manner as
our former traders, and preferred tin kettles and pewter bafons to.
axes or howels.
Towards the evening we had a moderate Eafterly breeze, with
cloudy weather. At eight o’clock the Southermoft point of land,
bore South 43 deg. Eaft, and.the land to the Northward North 56.
deg. Weft; feven- miles diftant from fhore. During the night we:
tacked occafionally, in order to keep well in with the fhore, which,,
in the morning of the 28th, was about five miles diftant. Having,
a moderate Eafterly breeze, we flood towards the land, and in the
forenoon feveral canoes came along-fide us ; many of thefe peoplewere.
I j.