The 20th, we found the Variation of the Needle was 5 Degrees _West_, and we were in 26 Degrees 40 Minutes of North Latitude and 285 Degrees 16 Minutes Longitude. The 23th it grew very cloudy,[46] which threaten’d stormy Weather, and we prepar’d to receive it, but came off only with the Apprehension, the Clouds dispersing several Ways, and we continu’d till the 27th in and about 28 Degrees 14 Minutes, and both by the Latitude and Estimation it was judg’d, that we were not far from Land. The Bark call’d _la Belle_ was sent out to discover and keep before, sounding all the Way; and half an Hour before Sun-set, we saw the Vessel _la Belle_ put out her Colours and lie by for us. Being come up with her, the Master told us, he had found an Owzy Bottom at thirty two Fathom Water. At eight of the Clock we sounded also, and found forty Fathom, and at ten, but twenty five. About Midnight, _la Belle_ sounding again, found only seventeen, which being a Demonstration of the Nearness of the Land, we lay by for the _Joly_, to know what Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ design’d, who being come up, lay by with us. The 27th, Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ sent the _Chevalier d’Aire_, his Lieutenant, and two Pilots to Monsieur _de la Sale_, to conclude upon the Course we were to steer, and it was agreed we should stand West North West till we came into six Fathom Water; that then we should run West, and when we had discover’d the Land, Boats should be sent to view the Country. Matters being thus agreed on, we sail’d again, sounding all the Way for the more Security, and about ten, were in ten or eleven Fathom Water, the Bottom fine greyish Sand and owzy. At Noon, were in 26 Degrees[47] 37 Minutes of North Latitude. The 28th, being in eight or nine Fathom Water, we perceiv’d the Bark _la Belle_, which kept a Head of us, put out her Colours, which was the Signal of her having discover’d Something. A Sailor was sent up to the Main-Top, who descry’d the Land, to the N. E. not above six Leagues Distance from us, which being told to Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, he thought fit to come to an Anchor. [Sidenote: _Jan. 1685_] There being no Man among us who had any Knowledge of that Bay, where we had been told the Currents were strong, and sate swiftly to the _Eastward_, it made us suspect that we were fallen off, and that the Land we saw must be the Bay of _Apalache_, which oblig’d us on the 29th to steer _W. N. W._ still keeping along the Land, and it was agreed that the _Joly_ should follow us in six Fathom Water. [Sidenote: _Currents._]