On this
disappointment we kept on our course to the westward, and the next day
being the 7th, we were abreast of a chain of islands which stretched from
east to west. These, as we afterwards found, were called the islands of
Lema. These islands we left on the starboard side, passing within four
miles of them, where we had twenty-four fathoms water. We were still
surrounded by fishing-boats, and we once more sent the cutter on board
one of them to endeavour to procure a pilot, but could not prevail.
However, one of the Chinese directed us by signs to sail round the
westernmost of the islands or rocks of Lema, and then to haul up. We
followed this direction, and in the evening came to anchor in eighteen
fathoms.
After having continued at anchor all night, we on the 9th, at four in the
morning, sent our cutter to sound the channel where we proposed to pass;
but before the return of the cutter a Chinese pilot put on board us, and
told us in broken Portuguese he would carry us to Macao for thirty
dollars. These were immediately paid him, and we then weighed and made
sail, and soon after several other pilots came on board us, who, to
recommend themselves, produced certificates from the captains of several
ships they had piloted in; but we continued the ship under the management
of the Chinese who came first on board. By this time we learned that we
were not far distant from Macao, and that there were in the river of
Canton, at the mouth of which Macao lies, eleven European ships, of which
four were English.
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