Lieut. Hicks, with Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, landed on an island, to procure what appeared to be cocoa nuts; but the tree was found to be the cabbage palm. When they had put off from the shore to return on board, an Indian shouted to them with a loud voice; but on their putting back to see him, he disappeared.
Hitherto our voyagers had met with nothing material to interrupt their progress, in exploring this dangerous coast; but after tracing it through the space of 1300 miles, and arriving at 16° 6' S. latitude, they at last met a point of land which they had reason to name Cape Tribulation. They were steering along, among rocks, shoals, and islands, in a clear moonlight night, being the evening of sabbath, June 10th, when, at supper time, the water suddenly shoaled from 21 fathoms, to 12, 10, and 8. All hands were instantly ordered to their stations, with a view to put about and cast anchor; but the water deepening again to 20 fathom, the gentlemen went to bed. Their rest, however, was very brief; for a few minutes before 11, the water again suddenly shallowed, and presently after the ship struck, and remained immovable, except by the heaving of the surge, beating her against the rocks. In a few moments, all hands were on deck, and every countenance was marked with horror. Yet their fears did not prevent their making immediate exertions to avert or mitigate the danger. The sails were all taken in, and the boats hoisted out to examine the depth of water all round the ship. The result of this examination augmented their fears; for the vessel was found to have been lifted over a ledge of rock, and was lying in a hollow within it. An anchor was carried out astern,
