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l cockles in the sea round the island in such quantities that we might have laden the boat in an hour's time。 These were not above ten or twelve pounds' weight。 We cut some wood； and brought off cockles enough for all the ship's company； but having no small shot； we could kill no pigeons。 I returned about four o'clock； and then my gunner and both mates went thither； and in less than three…quarters of an hour they killed and brought off ten pigeons。 Here is a tide： the flood sets west and the ebb east； but the latter is very faint and but of small continuance； and so we found it ever since we came from Timer： the winds we found easterly； between north…east and east…south…east； so that if these continue； it is impossible to beat farther to the eastward on this coast against wind and current。 These easterly winds increased from the time we were in the latitude of about 2 degrees south； and as we drew nigher the line they hung more easterly： and now being to the north of the continent of New Guinea； where the coast lies east and west； I find the trade…wind here at east； which yet in higher latitudes is usually at north… north…west and north…west； and so I did expect them here； it being to the south of the line。
The 7th； in the morning； I sent my boat ashore on Pigeon Island； and stayed till noon。 In the afternoon my men returned； brought twenty… two pigeons； and many cockles； some very large； some small： they also brought one empty shell； that weighed two hundred and fifty… eight pounds。
At four o'clock we weighed； having a small westerly wind and a tide with us； at seven in the evening we anchored in forty…two fathom； near King William's Island； where I went ashore the next morning； drank His Majesty's health； and honoured it with his name。 It is about two leagues and a half in length； very high and extraordinarily well clothed with woods； the trees are of divers sorts； most unknown to us； but all very green and flourishing； many of them had flowers； some white； some purple； others yellow： all which smelt very fragrantly： the trees are generally tall and straight bodied； and may be fit for any use。 I saw one of a clean body； without knot or limb； sixty or seventy feet high by estimation； it was three of my fathoms about； and kept its bigness； without any sensible decrease； even to the top。 The mould of the island is black； but not deep； it being very rocky。 On the sides and top of the island are many palmetto trees； whose heads we could discern over all the other trees； but their bodies we could not see。
About one in the afternoon we weighed and stood to the eastward； between the main and King William's Island； leaving the island on our larboard side； and sounding till we were past the island； and then we had no ground。 Here we found the flood setting east…by… north； and the ebb west…by…south； there were shoals and small islands between us and the main； which caused the tide to set very inconstantly； and make many whirlings in the water； yet we did not find the tide to set strong any way； nor the water to rise much。
On the 9th； being to the eastward of King William's Island； we plied all day between the main and other islands； having easterly winds and fair weather till seven the next morning； then we had very hard rain till eight； and saw many shoals of fish。 We lay becalmed off a pretty deep bay on New Guinea； about twelve or fourteen leagues wide； and seven or eight leagues deep； having low land near its bottom； but high land without。 The easternmost part of New Guinea seen bore east…by…south； distant twelve leagues； Cape Mabo west… south…west half…south； distant seven leagues。
At one in the afternoon it began to rain； and continued till six in the evening； so that； having but little wind and most calms； we lay still off the forementioned bay； having King William's Island still in sight； though distant by judgment fifteen or sixteen leagues west。 We saw many shoals of small fish； some sharks； and seven or eight dolphins； but caught none。 In the afternoon； being about four leagues from the shore； we saw an opening in the land； which seemed to afford good harbour。 In the evening we saw a large fire there； and I intended to go in （if winds and weather would permit） to get some acquaintance with the natives。
Since the 4th instant that we passed Cape Mabo； to the 12th； we had small easterly winds and calms； so that we anchored several times； where I made my men cut wood； that we might have a good stock when a westerly wind should present； and so we plied to the eastward； as winds and currents would permit； having not got in all above thirty leagues to the eastward of Cape Mabo； but on the 12th； at four in the afternoon； a small gale sprang up at north…east…by…north； with rain； at five it shuffled about to north…west； from thence to the south…west； and continued between those two points a pretty brisk gale； so that we made sail and steered away north…east； till the 13th； in the morning； to get about the Cape of Good Hope。 When it was day we steered north…east half east； then north…east…by…east till seven o'clock； and； being then seven or eight leagues off shore； we steered away east； the shore trending east…by…south。 We had very much rain all night； so that we could not carry much sail； yet we had a very steady gale。 At eight this morning the weather cleared up； and the wind decreased to a fine top…gallant gale； and settled at west…by…south。 We had more rain these three days past； than all the voyage； in so short a time。 We were now about six leagues from the land of New Guinea； which appeared very high； and we saw two headlands about twenty leagues asunder； the one to the east and the other to the west； which last is called the Cape of Good Hope。 We found variation east 4 degrees。
The 15th； in the morning； between twelve and two o'clock； it blew a very brisk gale at north…west； and looked very black in the south… west。 At two it flew about at once to the south…south…west； and rained very hard。 The wind settled some time at west…south…west； and we steered east…north…east till three in the morning； then the wind and rain abating； we steered east…half…north for fear of coming near the land。 Presently after； it being a little clear； the man at the bowsprit end called out； 〃Land on our starboard bow。〃 We looked out and saw it plain： I presently sounded； and had but ten fathom； soft ground。 The master； being somewhat scared； came running in haste with this news； and said it was best to anchor。 I told him no； but sound again； then we had twelve fathom； the next cast； thirteen and a half； the fourth； seventeen fathom； and then no ground with fifty fathom line。 However； we kept off the island； and did not go so fast but that we could see any other danger before we came nigh it； for here might have been more islands not laid down in my drafts besides this； for I searched all the drafts I had； if perchance I might find any island in the one which was not in the others； but I could find none near us。 When it was day we were about five leagues off the land we saw； but； I believe； not above five miles； or at most two leagues； off it when we first saw it in the night。
This is a small island；