Page 472
An.1688
They in vain try for the Isle Cocos.
have a War with the Islanders: but Peace being re-established, they lay in stores, and make Preparations for their Voyage.
March the 12th, 1688. we sailed from New Holland, with the Wind at N. N. W. and fair weather. We directed our course to the North- ward, intending, as I said, to touch at the Island Cocos: but we met with the Winds at N. W., W. N. W., and N. N. W. for several days; which obliged us to keep a more Eafterly course than was convenient to find that Island. We had soon after our setting out very bad weather, with much Thunder and Lightning, Rain, and high blustering Winds.
It was the 26th day of March before we were in the lat. of the Island Cocos, which is in 12 d. 12 m. and then, by judgment, we were 40 or 50 leagues to the East of it; and the Wind was now at S. W. Therefore we did rather chuse to bear away to- wards some Islands on the West side of Sumatra, than to beat against the Wind for the Island Cocos. I was very glad of this; being in hopes to make my escape from them to Sumatra, or some other place.
We met nothing of remark in this Voyage, beside the catching two great Sharks; till the 28th day. Then we fell in with a small woody Island, in Lat. 10 d. 30 m. Its Longitude from New Holland, from whence we came, was, by my account, 12 d. 6 m. West. It was deep water about the Island, and therefore no anchoring: but we sent 2 Canoas ashore; one of them with the Carpenters, to cut a Tree to make another Pump; the other Canoa went to search for fresh water, and found a fine small Brook near the S. W. point of the Island; but there the Sea fell in on the shore so high, that they