As the morning advanced, the sea began to abate somewhat, and presently Yamba joined me in the canoe.

We were, however, unable to shape our course for any set quarter, since by this time we were out of sight of land altogether, and had not even the slightest idea as to our position.
All that day we drifted aimlessly about, and then, towards evening, a perfect calm settled on the sea.

When we were somewhat rested we paddled on in a direction where we concluded land must lie (we steered south-east for the main); and in the course of a few hours we had the satisfaction of seeing a little rocky island, which we promptly made for and landed upon.

Here we obtained food in plenty in the form of birds; but drinking- water was not to be found anywhere, so we had to fall back on the small stock we always carried in skins.

Judging from the appearance of the rocks, and the smell that pervaded the place, I imagined that this must be a guano island.