'Travels from India to England : comprehending a visit to the Burman Empire, and a journey through Persia, Asia Minor, European Turkey, &c., in the years 1825-26, by James Edward Alexander' [‎4] (41/412)

4 BURMAN EMPIRE.
forecastle was in a blaze, and the flames had nearly reached the
foresail, which was beginning to blacken, when they were for
tunately extinguished.
On the 10th we had only reached half way across the Bay of
Bengal. The monsoon was steadily against us, and we could only
tack up and down the Bay, so as to endeavour to make a slanting
course towards the shores of Ava. The breeze, though adverse to
our progress, proved highly favourable to our health : those who had
become enervated and debilitated by a residence in India, were now
completely restored to vigour.
Our water was now very putrid and nearly exhausted. There was
some talk of putting back, which would have been to me a most
severe disappointment Before and" after the commencement of
hostilities, I had twice volunteered for Ava, and had met with the
mortifying reply, that a cavalry officer could not be spared from
his duty. However, on the 11th at noon, the North Centinel, an
island of the Andaman Archipelago (the Insulce Bonce Fortunce of
Ptolemy, a designation which includes the Nicobars), was seen, bear
ing N.E. by E., low and covered with jungle. Carrying all sail, we
passed immense branches of sea-weed.
On the 12th, we saw from the mast-head the South Centinel,
bearing E.N.E., distant five leagues. Next day, steering a south-
east course, hove in sight of the Little Andaman Island. At day
break the land was four leagues distant. Saw a brig, hull down,
bearing north-west, steering to the south-east; bore up and stood in
or the land to get a supply of water, and sounded on a coral reef
eight nine, ten, and sixteen fathoms, patches, the bottom very
P am y seen under the ship. Numerous sharks followed the vessel,
one