"Where away ?" "Astern now, sir," I answered.

"South-east by south, and nearly off the weather topsail." "I think I'd better have a look myself," said "Old Jock," clambering up the mizzen-shrouds and soon getting aloft beside me; adding as he caught sight of the object I pointed out--"by Jingo, you're right, boy! It's Java Head, sure enough." He then scuttled down the ratlines like winking.
"Haul in to leeward!" he shouted.

"Brace round the yards! Down with your helm!" "Port it is," said the boatman.
"Steady then, so!" yelled "Old Jock," conning the ship towards the mouth of the straits.

"Keep her east-nor'-east as nearly as you can, giving her a point if she falls off!" By and by, we entered the Straits of Sunda; and then, keeping the Java shore on board, we steered so as to avoid the Friar's Rock in the middle of the channel, making for Prince's Island.
The wind and current being both in our favour, and the moon rising soon after sunset, we were able to fetch Anjer Point in the middle watch and got well within Java Sea by morning.

Next day we passed through Banca Strait by the Lucepara Channel, keeping to the Sumatra coast to avoid the dangerous reefs and rocks on the east side, until we sighted the Parmesang Hills.