“Being desirous to ascertain the position of the reef, by making the Admiralty islands, shaped our course accordingly, steering N. by E. half E. During the night it blew fresh, and the long-boat making much water, we were obliged to lighten her, by throwing overboard a great deal of lumber, and two casks of water. The three boats kept close in company, the long-boat having the jolly boat in tow. Finding at day-light that the cutter sailed considerably better, I directed Mr. Robson to take the jolly boat in tow. The wind increased as the morning advanced, and a heavy swell rising, at 10 A.M. the jolly boat sunk, while in tow by the cutter, and all on board, to the number of 16, unfortunately perished. It was lamentable to witness the fate of these unhappy men, and the more so, as it was not in our power to render them the smallest assistance.
“At noon on the 22d we saw the Admiralty islands, bearing N.N.E. distant three or four leagues, and as we had run about 58 miles in the boats, upon a N. by E. half E. course, the situation of the shoal, on which the Sidney struck, was accurately ascertained, and will be found as above laid down.
“From the Admiralty islands we continued standing to the westward; and on the 25th made a small island: we stood towards it, and from its appearance I was induced to land, in the hope of obtaining a supply of water. Mr. Robson, myself, and 20 of the best of our hands, armed with heavy clubs, brought from New Caledonia, our fire arms being rendered useless from exposure to heavy rains, approached in the cutter, and landed through a heavy surf, to the utmost astonishment of the inhabitants, who, as far as we could judge from appearance, had certainly never before seen people of our complexion. The men were tall and well made, wearing their hair plaited and raised above the head—they had no appearance of Malays, nor of caffrees; and, excepting their colour, which was of a light copper, they had the form and features of the natives of Europe; they were entirely naked. We saw a number of women, who were well formed, with mild pleasing features.
“We were received on the beach by about 20 or 30 of the natives, who immediately supplied each of us with a cocoa nut. We then succeeded in making them understand that we wanted water, upon which they made signs for us to accompany them towards the interior of the island:—we did so; but after walking above a mile, they conducted us into a thick jungle, and as their number was quickly increasing, I judged it imprudent to proceed further, and returned to the beach, where I was alarmed to find the natives had assembled to the number of 150 or upwards, armed with spears, eight or ten feet long. One of them, an old man, of venerable appearance, and who seemed to be their Chief, approached, and threw his spear at my feet, expressive, as I understood it, that we should part with our clubs in like manner. Perceiving at this time a crowd of women to have got hold of the sternfast of the cutter, and endeavouring to haul her on shore, from the grapnell with which we had come to, we hastily endeavoured to gain the boat; the natives followed us closely, some of them pointed their spears at us, as we retreated to the boat, and some were thrown, though happily without effect; and to us they appeared to be very inexpert in the management of their weapons. On my getting into the water, three or four of the natives followed me, threatening to throw their spears, and when I was in reach of the boat, one of them made a thrust, which was prevented taking effect by the interference of Mr. Robson, who warded off the weapon. When we had got into the boat, and were putting off, they threw at least 200 spears, none of which took effect, excepting one, which gave a severe wound to my cook, entering immediately above the jaw, and passing through the mouth.