The sky now became obscured, and, as they proceeded, rain set in, followed by thunder and lightning; then a fearful tempest threatened their destruction.
Presently, however, the storm abated, and through a rift in the clouds they perceived land and made for it.
They found it to be an island about thirty leagues in circumference, apparently an atoll, for it was described as having "a lagoon inside," and was surrounded by a coral reef. Here they wanted to get wood and water, but finding no entrance or bay they had to abandon their attempt.
They continued their course, and the next day, 5th of February, they came in sight of four other islands of the same description, and all equally inaccessible.
An Atoll Reef
They passed them, keeping on a westerly and north westerly course, passing several other islands, all unfavourable to their purpose.
At last being in 18° 40' south, they passed the day with some rain, and the next day, 10th of February, from the topmast head a sailor cried out, "Land-a-head."
It is strange how all the early navigators, Magellan, Sarmiento, Mendana, Queiroz and many others, always managed to steer clear of the larger islands that spread like a net across the South Pacific Ocean, and either found an open sea, or hit upon some insignificant atoll.