each other with the strongest marks of apprehension, uncertain what would be the issue of their imprudence. Fortunately the fruit proved wholesome and good. One sort grew on a small delicate kind of vine; they were the size of a large gooseberry, and very like in substance, but had only a sweet taste the skin was a pale red, streaked with yellow the long way of the fruit: it was pleasant and agreeable. Another kind grew on bushes, like that which is called the sea-side grape in the West Indies; but the fruit was very different, being more like elder berries, and grew in clusters in the same manner. The third sort was a blackberry; this was not in such plenty as the others, and resembled a bullace, or large kind of sloe, both in size and taste. When I saw that these fruits were eaten by the birds, I no longer doubted of their being wholesome; and those who had already tried the experiment not finding any bad effect, made it a certainty that we might eat of them without danger.

but the trees are small, the soil, which is very indifferent and sandy, being barely sufficient to produce them. The trees that came within our knowledge were the manchineel and a species of purow; also some palm trees, the tops of which we cut down; and the soft interior part or heart of them was so palatable, that it made a good addition to our mess. Nelson discovered some fern roots, which I thought might be good roasted as a substitute for bread; but in this I was mistaken it, however, was very serviceable in its natural state to allay thirst, and on that account I directed a quantity to be collected to take into the boat. Many pieces of cocoanut shells and husk were found about the shore, but we could find no cocoa-nut trees, neither did I see any on the main. I had cautioned the people not to touch any kind of berry or fruit that they might find; yet they were no sooner out of my sight, than they began to make free with three different kinds, that grew all over the island, eating without any reserve. The symptoms of having eaten too much began at last to frighten some of them; but on question-fire-arms, relief of that kind was ing others, who had taken a more moderate allowance, their minds were a little quieted. The others, however, became equally alarmed in their turn, dreading that such symptoms would come on, and that they were all poisoned, so that they regarded

|
'Wild pigeons, parrots, and
other birds were about the sum-
mit of the island; but having no

not to be expected, unless we should find some unfrequented spot, where the birds were so tame, that we might take them with our hands. The shore of this island is very rocky, except the place at which we landed, and here I picked up many

with which, and some of the inner part of the palm top, we made another good stew for supper, each person receiving a full pint and a half; but I refused bread to this meal, for I considered that our wants might yet be very great, and was intent on saving our principal support whenever it was in my power. After supper we again divided, and those who on shore slept by a good

pieces of pumice-stone. On the
part of the main nearest to us
were several sandy bays, which
at low water became an exten-
sive rocky flat. The country
had rather a barren appearance,
except in a few places where it
was covered with wood. A re-
markable range of rocks lay a
few miles to the S.W., and a
high peaked hill seemed to ter-
minate the coast towards the
sea, with islands to the south-were
ward. A high fair cape showed fire.
the direction of the coast to the
N.W., about seven leagues dis-
tant; and two small isles lay
three or four leagues to the
northward of our present station.
I saw a few bees or wasps, and
several lizards; and the black-
berry bushes were full of ants'
nests, webbed like a spider's,
but so close and compact as
not to admit the rain. A trunk
of a tree, about 50 feet long,
lay on the beach, from which
I conclude that a heavy sea sets
in here, with a northerly wind.
This day being the anniversary
of the restoration of King Charles
the Second, and the name not
being inapplicable to our present
situation (for we were restored
to fresh life and strength), I
named this Restoration Island;
for I thought it probable that
Captain Cook might not have
taken notice of it. The other
names which I have presumed
to give the different parts of the
coast, are meant only to show
my route more distinctly. In
the afternoon I sent parties
out again to gather oysters,

'Saturday, 30th.-In the morning I discovered a visible alteration in our company for the better, and I sent them away again to gather oysters. We had now only two pounds of pork left. This article, which I could not keep under lock and key as I did the bread, had been pilfered by some inconsiderate person; but every one denied having any knowledge of this act. I therefore resolved to put it out of their power for the future, by sharing what remained for our dinner. While the party was out picking up oysters, I got the boat in readiness for sea, and filled all our water vessels, which amounted to nearly 60 gallons. The party being returned, dinner was soon ready, which was as plentiful a meal as the supper on the preceding evening; and with the pork I gave an allowance of bread. As it was not yet noon, I sent the people once more to gather oysters for a sea-store, recommending them to be as diligent as possible, for that I

bore N. four miles, and Fair the water was smooth, and we Cape S.S.E. five or six leagues. landed without difficulty. I I took the channel between the sent two parties out, one to the nearest island and the mainland, northward and the other to the which were about one mile apart, southward, to seek for supplies; leaving all the islands on the and others I ordered to stay by starboard side. Some of these the boat. On this occasion were very pretty spots, covered fatigue and weakness so far got with wood, and well situated for the better of their sense of duty, fishing; large shoals of fish were that some of the people expressed about us, but we could not catch their discontent at having worked any. In passing this strait we harder than their companions, saw another party of Indians, and declared that they would seven in number, running to- rather be without their dinner wards us, shouting and making than go in search of it. One persigns for us to land. Some of son in particular went so far as to them waved green branches of tell me, with a mutinous look, that the bushes which were near them he was as good a man as myself. as a token of friendship; but some It was not possible for me to of their other motions were less judge where this might have an friendly. A little farther off we end if not stopped in time; saw a larger party, who likewise therefore, to prevent such discame towards us. I therefore putes in future, I determined determined not to land, though either to preserve my command I much wished to have had some or die in the attempt; and seizintercourse with these people. ing a cutlass, I ordered him to Nevertheless I laid the boat take hold of another and defend close to the rocks, and beckoned himself, on which he called out to them to approach; but none that I was going to kill him, and of them would come within two immediately made concessions. hundred yards of us. They I did not allow this to interfere were armed in the same manner further with the harmony of the as the people we had seen from boat's crew, and everything soon Restoration Island; they were became quiet. The parties constark naked, their colour black, tinued collecting what they could with short bushy hair or wool, find, which were some fine and in their appearance were oysters and clams, and a few similar to them in every respect. small dog-fish that were caught An island of a good height bore in the holes of the rocks. We N. W., four miles from us, at also found some rain-water in which I resolved to land, and the hollow of the rocks on the thence to take a look at the north part of the island, so that coast. At this isle we arrived of this essential article we were about eight o'clock in the morn-again so fortunate as to obtain ing. The shore was rocky, but a full supply.