A VOYAGE TOWARDS THE SOUTH POLE,
and (tern, fo near the fhore as to reach it with a brow or March,
’----*----' ftage, which Nature had in a manner prepared for us in a
Saturday 27, 0 * r
large tree, whofe end or top reached our gunwale. 'Wood,
for fewel and other purpofes, was here fo convenient, that
our yards were locked in the branches of the trees; and,
about 100 yards from our ftern, was a fine fixeam of frelh
water. Thus fituated, we began to clear places in the
woods, in order to fet up the aflronomer’s obfervatory, the
forge to repair our iron work, tents for the fail-makers and
coopers to repair the fails and calks in; to land our empty
calks, to fill water, and to cut down wood for fewel; all of
which were abfolutely neceffary occupations. We alfo began
to brew beer from the branches or leaves of a tree,
which much refembles the American black fpruce. From
•the knowledge I had of this tree, and the fimilarity it bore
to the fpruce, I judged that, with the addition of infpiffated
juice of wort and melafles, it would make a very whole-
fome beer, and fupply the want of vegetables, .which this
place did not afford; and the event proved, that I was not
miltaken.
Now I have mentioned the infpiffated juice of wort, it will
not be amifs, in this place, to inform the reader that 1 had
made feveral trials of it fince I left the Cape of Good Hope,
and found it to anfwer in a cold climate, beyond all expectation.
The juice, diluted in warm water, in the proportion
o f twelve parts water to one part juice, made a very good
and w;ell-tailed fmall beer. Some juice which I had of Mr.
Pelham’s own preparing, would bear fixteen parts water.
By making ufe of warm water (which I think ought always
to be done), and keeping it in a warm place, if the
weather be cold, no difficulty will be found in fermenting
it.
it. A little grounds of either fmall or ftrong beer,, will anfwer
as well as ye all. ■ ■ |----g--- >
Saturday 27.
The few Iheep and goats we had left; were not likely to
fare quite fo well as ourfelves; there being no grafs here,
but what was coarfe and harfh. It was, however, not fo
bad, but that we expedted they would devour it with great
greedinefs, and were the more furprifed to find that they
would not talle it'; nor did they feem over fond of the leaves
of more tender plants* Upon examination, we found their
teeth loofe; and that many of them had every other fymp-
tom of an inveterate fea fcurvy. Out of four ewes and two •
rams which I brought from the Cape, with an intent to put
afhore in this country, I had only been able to preferve one
of each; and even thefe were in fo bad a Plate, that it was
doubtful if they could recover; notwithftanding all the care
poffible had been taken of them.
Some of the officers, on the 28th, went up the bay in a Sundayz8.
fmall boat on a fhooting party; but, difcovering inhabitants,
they returned before noon, to acquaint me therewith; for
hitherto we had not feen the leail veftigei of any. They
had but juft got aboard, when a canoe appeared off a point
about a mile from us, and foon after, returned behind the
point out of fight, probably owing to alhowerof rain which
then fell: for it was no fooner over,. than the canoe again
appeared, and came within mufket-Phot of the Phip. There
were in it feven or eight people. They remained looking
at us for fome time,, and then returned'; all the ligns of
friendPhip we could make, did not prevail on them to come,
nearer. After dinner I took two boats and went in fearch
of them, in the cove where they were firft feen, accompanied
by feveral of the officers and gentlemen. / We found the
canoe