We had much difficulty in getting off, but at last got into deep water again, though with reefs and islands all around us.

At night we did not know what to do, as no one on board could tell where we were or what dangers might surround us, the only one of our crew who was acquainted with the coast of Waigiou having been left on the island.

We therefore took in all sail and allowed ourselves to drift, as we were some miles from the nearest land.

A light breeze, however, sprang up, and about midnight we found ourselves again bumping over a coral reef.

As it was very dark, and we knew nothing of our position, we could only guess how to get off again, and had there been a little more wind we might have been knocked to pieces.