which were very green, as were also other trees more within-land. We had
now but little wind; therefore I sent my boat away, to sound and to let
me know by signs what depth of water they met with, if under 8 fathom;
but if more I ordered them to go on and make no signs. At 11 that
morning, having a pretty fresh gale, I weighed and made sail after my
boat; but edged over more to the west shore, because I saw many smaller
openings there, and was in hopes to find a good harbour where I might
secure the ship; for then I could with more safety send my boats to seek
for fresh water. I had not sailed far before the wind came to the
south-east and blew so strong that I could not with safety venture nearer
that side, it being a lee shore. Besides, my boat was on the east side of
the Timor coast; for the other was, as I found afterwards, the Anabao
shore; and the great opening I was now in was the strait between that
island and Timor; towards which I now tacked and stood over. Taking up my
boat therefore I ran under the Timor side, and at 3 o'clock anchored in
29 fathom, half a mile from the shore. That part of the south-west point
of Timor where we anchored in the morning bore now south by west,
distance 3 leagues: and another point of the island bore
north-north-east, distance 2 leagues.

A DUTCH FORT, CALLED CONCORDIA. THEIR SUSPICION OF THE AUTHOR.

Not long after, we saw a sloop coming about the point last mentioned,
with Dutch colours; which I found, upon sending my boat aboard, belonged
to a Dutch fort (the only one they have in Timor) about 5 leagues from
hence, called Concordia. The governor of the fort was in the sloop, and
about 40 soldiers with him. He appeared to be somewhat surprised at our
coming this way; which it seems is a passage scarce known to any but
themselves; as he told the men I sent to him in my boat. Neither did he
seem willing that we should come near their fort for water. He said also