early australian voyages-第21章
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r else here was a tide unknown to us that deceived us； though we had found very little of any tide on this coast hitherto； as to our winds in the coasting thus far； as we had been within the verge of the general trade （though interrupted by the storm I mentioned）； from the latitude of 28 degrees； when we first fell in with the coast； and by that time we were in the latitude of 25 degrees； we had usually the regular trade wind （which is here south…south…east） when we were at any distance from shore； but we had often sea and land breezes； especially when near shore and when in Shark's Bay； and had a particular north…west wind or storm that set us in thither。 On this 18th of August we coasted with a brisk gale of the true trade wind at south…south…east； very fair and clear weather； but hauling off in the evening to sea； were next morning out of sight of land； and the land now trending away north…easterly； and we being to the northward of it； and the wind also shrinking from the south…south…east to the east…south…east （that is； from the true trade wind to the sea breeze； as the land now lay）； we could not get in with the land again yet awhile so as to see it； though we trimmed sharp and kept close on a wind。 We were this 19th day in latitude 21 degrees 42 minutes。 The 20th we were in latitude 19 degrees 37 minutes； and kept close on a wind to get sight of the land again； but could not yet see it。 We had very fair weather； and though we were so far from the land as to be out of sight of it； yet we had the sea and land breezes。 In the night we had the land breeze at south…south… east； a small gentle gale； which in the morning about sun…rising would shift about gradually （and withal increasing in strength） till about noon we should have it at east…south…east； which is the true sea breeze here。 Then it would blow a brisk gale so that we could scarce carry our top…sails double…reefed； and it would continue thus till three in the afternoon； when it would decrease again。 The weather was fair all the while； not a cloud to be seen； but very hazy； especially nigh the horizon。 We sounded several times this 20th day； and at first had no ground； but had afterwards from fifty… two to forty…five fathom； coarse brown sand； mixed with small brown and white stones； with dints besides in the tallow。
The 21st day also we had small land breezes in the night； and sea breezes in the day； and as we saw some sea…snakes every day； so this day we saw a great many； of two different sorts or shapes。 One sort was yellow； and about the bigness of a man's wrist； about four feet long； having a flat tail about four fingers broad。 The other sort was much smaller and shorter； round； and spotted black and yellow。 This day we sounded several times； and had forty…five fathom； sand。 We did not make the land till noon； and then saw it first from our topmast head； it bore south…east by east about nine leagues distance； and it appeared like a cape or head of land。 The sea breeze this day was not so strong as the day before； and it veered out more； so that we had a fair wind to run in with to the shore； and at sunset anchored in twenty fathom； clean sand； about five leagues from the Bluff point； which was not a cape （as it appeared at a great distance）； but the easternmost end of an island about five or six leagues in length； and one in breadth。 There were three or four rocky islands about a league from us； between us and the Bluff point； and we saw many other islands both to the east and west of it； as far as we could see either way from our topmast…head； and all within them to the south there was nothing but islands of a pretty height； that may be seen eight or nine leagues off； by what we saw of them they must have been a range of islands of about twenty leagues in length； stretching from east…north…east to west… south…west； and； for aught I know； as far as to those of Shark's Bay； and to a considerable breadth also； for we could see nine or ten leagues in among them； towards the continent or mainland of New Holland； if there be any such thing hereabouts； and by the great tides I met with awhile afterwards； more to the north…east； I had a strong suspicion that here might be a kind of archipelago of islands； and a passage possibly to the south of New Holland and New Guinea into the great South Sea eastward； which I had thoughts also of attempting in my return from New Guinea； had circumstances permitted； and told my officers so； but I would not attempt it at this time； because we wanted water； and could not depend upon finding it there。 This place is in the latitude of 20 degrees 21 minutes； but in the draught that I had of this coast； which was Tasman's； it was laid down in 19 degrees 50 minutes； and the shore is laid down as all along joining in one body or continent； with some openings appearing like rivers； and not like islands as really they are。 This place lies more northerly by 40 minutes than is laid down in Mr。 Tasman's draught； and besides its being made a firm continued land； only with some openings like the mouths of rivers； I found the soundings also different from what the pricked line of his course shows them； and generally shallower than he makes them； which inclines me to think that he came not so near the shore as his line shows； and so had deeper soundings； and could not so well distinguish the islands。 His meridian or difference of longitude from Shark's Bay agrees well enough with my account； which is two hundred and thirty…two leagues； though we differ in latitude； and to confirm my conjecture that the line of his course is made too near the shore； at least not far to the east of this place； the water is there so shallow that he could not come there so nigh。
But to proceed。 In the night we had a small land breeze； and in the morning I weighed anchor； designing to run in among the islands； for they had large channels between them of a league wide at least； and some two or three leagues wide。 I sent in my boat before to sound； and if they found shoal water to return again； but if they found water enough to go ashore on one of the islands and stay till the ship came in； where they might in the meantime search for water。 So we followed after with the ship； sounding as we went in； and had twenty fathom till within two leagues of the Bluff head； and then we had shoal water and very uncertain soundings； yet we ran in still with an easy sail； sounding and looking out well； for this was dangerous work。 When we came abreast of the Bluff head； and about two miles from it； we had but seven fathom； then we edged away from it； but had no more water； and running in a little farther we had but four fathoms； so we anchored immediately； and yet when we had veered out a third of a cable； we had seven fathom water again； so uncertain was the water。 My boat came immediately on board； and told me that the island was very rocky and dry； and they had little hopes of finding water there。 I sent them to sound； and bade them； if they found a channel of eight or ten fathom water； to keep on； and we would follow with the ship。 We were now about four leagues within the outer small rocky islands； but still could see nothing but islands within us； some five or six leagues long； others not above a mile round。 The large islands were pretty high； but all appeared dry； and mostly rocky and barren。 The rocks looked of a rusty yellow colour； and therefore I despaired of getting water on any of them； but was in some hopes of finding a channel to run in beyond all these islands； could I have spent time here； and either got to the main of New Holland or find out some other islands that might afford us water and other refreshments； besides that among so many islands we might have found some sort of rich mineral； or ambergris； it being a good latitude for both these。 But we had not sailed above a league farther before our water grew shoaler again； and then we anchored in six fathom； hard sand。
We were now on the inner side of the island； on whose outside is the Bluff point。 We rode a league from the island； and I presently went ashore and carried shovels to dig for water； but found none。 There grow here two or three sorts of shrubs； one just like rosemary； and ther
