3rd of September.--Weighed at 3.30 and stood in shore; at 7.45 A.M. we were due south of the western of a group of islands. Many sights were taken as we passed to settle the place of this group: it lies between 125º 42-1/2' east, and 125º 57-1/2' east, and in latitude 36º 44' north. After passing this group we stood to the south-east towards a vast cluster of islands: at noon, when we were just entering the cluster, the latitude was observed 36º 18' 21" north, and longitude 126º 10' east. The south-west extreme of the islands bore south 40º west. There were eight islands near us between south-east and south-west, and a high bluff dark rock south one-quarter east, four miles: and on the main land a very high hill, east 19º north. When we had got well among the islands it fell calm, and we anchored in eight and a half fathoms. It remained calm during the night. [Sidenote: Run among the islands.] 4th of September.--Weighed on a breeze springing up, and stood in shore. Observed in 36º 13' north, longitude 126º 30' east; at this time the following bearings were taken. [Sidenote: Bearings.] A remarkable peak on the main land, east. High mountain on the main land, east 38-1/2º north. White cliff on the east end of the fourth island to the left of the wide entrance into the cluster, north. Small round island, north 30º west. Another, north 35º west. Extremes of a large bluff island from north 38º west, to north 32-1/2º west. Rock, north 72º west. Outer island, north 75º west. Extremes of the outer cluster, from north 77-1/2 west, to west 1º south. Large island, from west 14º 30' south, to west 18º south. [Sidenote: Basil's Bay.] [Sidenote: Unsocial disposition of the inhabitants.] These islands being within from ten to fifteen miles, were laid down by estimated distances, but it was quite impossible to assign places to the immense number of others which stretched away to the south and south-east, as far as the eye could reach. We stood in shore for the purpose of discovering whether there was any place of shelter in the main land, but in general it proved shallow and unsafe. At length we discovered a bay which promised shelter, but on running into it, the depth was found not to exceed three or four fathoms. This bay is open towards the south, and is formed by a curved tongue of land on the north and west. The longitude of the south end of this point is 126º 42' 22" east, and latitude 36º 7' 38" north. We remained here during the night, and the forenoon of the 5th. The natives came on board, but made great objections to our landing. [Sidenote: Tides.] The tide rose and fell fifteen feet and a half; it was low water at 8 P.M., and high water at 2.30 A.M. This was two and a half days before full moon. The Alceste's boats were sent to sound in the eastern quarter, but they found shoal water every where. [Sidenote: Proceed to the south-westward.]