was obliged to come to with the belt bower in thirty-eight
fathoms, clofe to fome white rocks, Point Jackfon bearing
N. W. 4. N.; the northernmoft of the Brothers E. by S.; and
the middle of Entry Bland (which lies on the North fide
of the Straits) N. E. We made 150 30'E. variation in the
Straits. As we failed up the found we faw the tops of high
mountains covered with fnow, which remains all the year.
When the tide flackened, we weighed and failed up the
Sound; and about five o’clock on the 7th, anchored in Ship
Cove, in ten fathoms water, muddy ground, and moored
the bell bower to the N. N. E., and fmall to S. S. W. In the
night, we heard the howling of dogs, and people hallooing
on the Eaft Ihore.
The two following days were employed in clearing a
place on Motuara Bland for erecting our tents- for the fick
(having then feveral on board much afflicted with the
fcurvy), the fail-makers and coopers. On the top of the
Bland was a poll erefted, by the Endeavour’s people, with
her name and time of departure on it.
On the 9th, we were vifited by three canoes with about
fixteen of the natives ; and to induce them to bring us filh
and other provifions, we gave them feveral things, with which
they feemed highly pleafed. One of our young gentlemen
feeing fomething wrapt up in a better manner than common,
had the curiofity to examine what it was ; and to his great
furprife found it to be the head of a man lately killed. They
were very apprehenfive of its being forced from them ; and
particularly the man who feemed mod interetted in it, whofe
very flefli crept on his bones, for fear of being punilhed by
us, as Captain Cook had expreffed his great abhorrence of
this unnatural aft. They ufed every method to conceal the
head,
head, by fhifting it from one to another; and by figns en- en deavouring
to convince us, that there was no fuch thing ■ -P-~ -
amongft them, though we had feen it but a few minutes F"day 9’
before. They then took their leave of us, and went on
Ihore.,
They frequently mentioned Tupia, which was the name
of the native of George’s Bland (or Otaheite), brought here
by the Endeavour, and who died at Batavia ; and when we
told them he was dead, fome of them feemed to be very
much concerned, and, as well as we could underfland
them, wanted to know whether we killed him, or if he died
a natural death. By thefe queftions, they are the fame
tribe Captain Gook faw. In the afternoon, they returned
again with fifli, and fern roots, which they fold for nails,
and other trifles; though the nails are what they fet the
moll value on. The man and woman who had the head,
did not come off again. Having a catalogue of words in
their language, we called feveral things by name, which
furprifed them greatly. They wanted it much, and offered
a great quantity of fifh for it.
Next morning, they returned again, to the number of Saturday i®,
fifty or fixty, with their chief at their head (as we fuppofed),
in five double canoes. They gave us their implements of
war, ftone hatchets, and clothes, &c. for nails and old bottles,
which they put a great value on. A number of the head
men came on board us, and it was with fome difficulty we
got them out of the fhip by fair means ; but on the appearance
of a mufquet with a fixed bayonet, they all went into
their canoes very quickly. We were daily vifited by more
or lefs, who brought us fifh in great plenty for nails, beads,
and other trifles, and behaved very peaceably.
4 We