early australian voyages-第33章
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island； even to the shore。 From the furrows made by this descending fire； we could； in the day time； see great smoke arise； which probably were made by the sulphurous matter thrown out of the funnel at the top； which tumbling down to the bottom； and there lying in a heap； burned till either consumed or extinguished； and as long as it burned and kept its heat； so long the smoke ascended from it； which we perceived to increase or decrease； according to the quantity of matter discharged from the funnel： but the next night； being shot to the westward of the burning island； and the funnel of it lying on the south side； we could not discern the fire there； as we did the smoke in the day when we were to the southward of it。 This volcano lies in the latitude of 5 degrees 33 minutes south； and meridian distance from Cape St。 George； three hundred and thirty…two miles west。
The easternmost part of New Guinea lies forty miles to the westward of this tract of land； and by hydrographers they are made joining together； but here I found an opening and passage between； with many islands； the largest of which lie on the north side of this passage or strait。 The channel is very good； between the islands and the land to the eastward。 The east part of New Guinea is high and mountainous； ending on the north…east with a large promontory； which I named King William's Cape； in honour of his present Majesty。 We saw some smoke on it； and leaving it on our larboard side； steered away near the east land； which ends with two remarkable capes or heads； distant from each other about six or seven leagues： within each head were two very remarkable mountains； ascending very gradually from the sea…side； which afforded a very pleasant and agreeable prospect。 The mountains and the lower land were pleasantly mixed with woodland and savannahs； the trees appeared very green and flourishing； and the savannahs seemed to be very smooth and even； no meadow in England appears more green in the spring than these。 We saw smoke； but did not strive to anchor here； but rather chose to get under one of the islands （where I thought I should find few or no inhabitants）； that I might repair my pinnace； which was so crazy that I could not venture ashore anywhere with her。 As we stood over to the islands； we looked out very well to the north； but could see no land that way； by which I was well assured that we were got through； and that this east land does not join to New Guinea； therefore I named it Nova Britannia。 The north… west cape I called Cape Gloucester； and the south…west…point Cape Anne； and the north…west mountain； which is very remarkable； I called Mount Gloucester。
This island which I called Nova Britannia； has about 4 degrees of latitude： the body of it lying in 4 degrees； and the northernmost part in 2 degrees 32 minutes； and the southernmost in 6 degrees 30 minutes south。 It has about 5 degrees 18 minutes longitude from east to west。 It is generally high mountainous land； mixed with large valleys； which； as well as the mountains appeared very fertile； and in most places that we saw； the trees are very large； tall and thick。 It is also very well inhabited with strong well… limbed negroes； whom we found very daring and bold at several places。 As to the product of it； I know no more than what I have said in my account of Port Montague； but it is very probable this island may afford as many rich commodities as any in the world： and the natives may be easily brought to commerce； though I could not pretend to it under my present circumstances。
Being near the island to the northward of the volcano； I sent my boat to sound； thinking to anchor here； but she returned and brought me word； that they had no ground till they met with a reef of coral rocks about a mile from the shore； then I bore away to the north side of the island； where we found no anchoring neither。 We saw several people； and some cocoa…nut trees； but could not send ashore for want of my pinnace； which was out of order。 In the evening I stood off to sea； to be at such a distance that I might not be driven by any current upon the shoals of this island； if it should prove calm。 We had but little wind； especially the beginning of the night； but in the morning I found myself so far to the west of the island； that the wind being at east…south…east； I could not fetch it； wherefore I kept on to the southward； and stemmed with the body of a high island about eleven or twelve leagues long； lying to the southward of that which I before designed for。 I named this island Sir George Rook's Island。
We also saw some other islands to the westward； which may be better seen in my draft of these lands than here described； but seeing a very small island lying to the north…west of the long island which was before us； and not far from it。 I steered away for that； hoping to find anchoring there； and having but little wind； I sent my boat before to sound； which； when we were about two miles' distance from the shore； came on board and brought me word that there was good anchoring in thirty or forty fathom water； a mile from the isle； and within a reef of the rocks which lay in a half…moon； reaching from the north part of the island to the south…east； so at noon we got in and anchored in thirty…six fathom； a mile from the isle。
In the afternoon I sent my boat ashore to the island； to see what convenience there was to haul our vessel ashore in order to be mended； and whether we could catch any fish。 My men in the boat rowed about the island； but could not land by reason of the rocks and a great surge running in upon the shore。 We found variation here； 8 degrees 25 minutes west。
I designed to have stayed among these islands till I got my pinnace refitted； but having no more than one man who had skill to work upon her； I saw she would be a long time in repairing （which was one great reason why I could not prosecute my discoveries further）； and the easterly winds being set in； I found I should scarce be able to hold my ground。
The 31st； in the forenoon； we shot in between two islands； lying about four leagues asunder； with intention to pass between them。 The southernmost is a long island； with a high hill at each end； this I named Long Island。 The northernmost is a round high island towering up with several heads or tops； something resembling a crown； this I named Crown Isle from its form。 Both these islands appeared very pleasant； having spots of green savannahs mixed among the wood…land： the trees appeared very green and flourishing； and some of them looked white and full of blossoms。 We passed close by Crown Isle； saw many cocoa…nut trees on the bays and sides of the hills； and one boat was coming off from the shore； but returned again。 We saw no smoke on either of the islands； neither did we see any plantations； and it is probable they are not very well peopled。 We saw many shoals near Crown Island； and reefs of rocks running off from the points a mile or more into the sea： my boat was once overboard； with design to have sent her ashore； but having little wind； and seeing some shoals； I hoisted her in again； and stood off out of danger。
In the afternoon； seeing an island bearing north…west…by…west； we steered away north…west…by…north； to be to the northward of it。 The next morning； being about midway from the islands we left yesterday； and having this to the westward of us； the land of the main of New Guinea within us to the southward； appeared very high。 When we came within four or five leagues of this island to the west of us； four boats came off to view us； one came within call； but returned with the other three without speaking to us； so we kept on for the island； which I named Sir R。 Rich's Island。 It was pretty high； woody； and mixed with savannahs like those formerly mentioned。 Being to the north of it； we saw an opening between it and another island two leagues to the west of it； which before appeared all in one。 The main seemed to be high land； trending to the westward。
On Tuesday； the 2nd of April； about eight in the morning； we discovered a high…peaked island to the westward； which seemed to smoke at its top： the next day we passed by the north side of the Burning Island；
