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The commander of the Supply had intended to go through the streights of Macasser; but when to the westward of Kercolang, meeting with strong gales from the westward, he bore away to the southward, running down near the small islands which are on the western coast of Gillola; and going to the westward of the island of Bouro, to the southward of Bouton, and between Salayer and Celebes, had fine weather and favourable winds.
Dec. 20th.-At sunrise we were opposite the Bontyne mountain, said to be one of the highest in Celebes. In the afternoon we passed the Salayer Straits and had a little squall, which obliged us to lower our huge mast, sails, and heavy yards. The rest of the evening we had a fine west wind, which carried us on at near five knots an hour, as much as our lumbering old tub can possibly go.
The best passage through these streights is between the two small islands, the southernmost of which lies close to -Salayer. The island of Salayer appears to be well inhabited, and cultivated to advantage, as each piece of ground was fenced in, and the houses appeared to be very good ones.
At day-light, the island of Salayer bore from south 40° west to north 80° east, and the entrance of the streights north 70° west. On entering the streights, we found a very strong ripling of the sea, which we were apprehensive were overfalls; but we found it was a strong current setting to the westward. At noon, being through the streights, we hauled up west by south.
The pinnace brought away the master of this vessel, who engaged to pilot us through the Straits of Salayer and all the way to Batavia, if we would keep it secret from the Dutch, and he sent his vessel to lie in the narrowest part of the passage between the islands, till such time as our ships came up.
We at length passed through the straits of Patientia, but did not get the breeze until we sighted the Isle of Bouro. Passing through the Bonta passage, straits of Salayer, and Java sea, we arrived at Sincapore on the 28th of June. Here we found the Harlequin, which had had a brush with the pirates on the coast of Sumatra.
The course from the streights of Salayer to -Cambona is east by south eighty-four miles: they lie west by north half north, and east by south half south, about five miles through: the entrance to the westward is in 5° 45' south latitude, and 120° 3' east longitude.
April 1790 to December 1790 -Lieutenant King sails for Batavia. Meets with a dangerous shoal. Discovers Tench's-Island. A description of the inhabitants. Prince William-Henry's Island described. Touches at Kercolang. A description of the inhabitants, their cloathing and utensils. Passes through the Streights of Salayer. Arrival at Batavia. Interview with the governor. Batavia described.
We resolved, however, not to stay any longer, but to trust to Providence for our future preservation: wherefore we began to unmoor our ships, and dismissed our Portuguese linguist. Next day, the 8th June, we made three islands to the north of Salayer.
At the time we were on this bank, the south end of Salayer bore south-south-east, and the north end, east. In my opinion, ships going through the streights of Salayer from the westward, should bring the north point of Salayer- to bear east, or east half north, with which course there could be no risk from that bank.
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