Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/189

Aug. 1769.] and off this day, waiting for the return of the Long boat. At ½ past 5 not seeing anything of her, fir'd a Gun for her to return, and as soon as it was dark hoisted a light. At ½ past 8 heard the report of a musquet, which we answered with a Gun; and soon after the Boat came on board with 3 small Hogs, a few Fowls, and a large Quantity of Plantains, and some Yams. They found the Natives very Sociable and ready to part with anything they had, and the Harbour safe and Commodious, with a good Anchorage in 25, 20, and 16 fathoms clear ground. As soon as the Boat was hoisted in we made Sail to the Northward, and at 8 o'Clock a.m. were close under the Peak of Bolabola, but as we could not weather the Island, we Tack'd and stood off until near Noon, then Tack'd again and stood to the S.W. At Noon the Peak of Bolabola bore S. 75° W.; we were then distant from the Shore under it 2 or 3 miles, and from the Peak about 5 miles. Lat. observed 16° 29′ S.

Sunday, 30th.—Wind in the S.E. Quarter. At first a Gentle breeze, but afterwards freshned upon us. P.M. made several Trips before we could weather the S. end of Bolabola, which at last we accomplished between 7 and 8 o'Clock, and stood off S.S.W. until 12 at night, then Tack'd and stood in until 4 a.m., then stood off again; but meeting with a large swell from the Southward, against which the Ship made little or no way, at 8 we tack'd and stood in Shore again. At this time we discovered an Island which bore from us N. 63° W., distant about 8 Leagues: at the same time the Peak of Bolabola bore N. ½ E., distance 3 or 4 Leagues. This Island Tupia calls Maurua, and according to his account it is but small, and surrounded by a Reef of Rocks, and hath no Harbour fit for Shipping. It is inhabited, and its produce is the same as the other Islands we have touched at. It riseth in a high round hill in the middle of the Island, which may be seen 10 Leagues. At noon the S. end of Otaha bore N. 80° E., distance 4 Leagues. Latitude observed 16° 39′ S.

Monday, 31st.—Fresh Gales in the S.E. Quarter, and close, cloudy weather. Plying to windward all this day, on the S.W. side of Otaha, without gaining little or anything. In the middle watch was obliged to double reef our Topsails, but in the morning it fell moderate, and we crowded all the sail we could. At Noon the S. end of Otaha bore E., distance 2 Leagues. Latitude observed 16° 40′ S. Tupia told us there was a very good Harbour within the Reef which lies on this side of Otaha; but this Harbour I shall discribe in another place.

Tuesday, August 1st.—A fresh Gale at S.E. the most part of this day. Keept plying to windward all the afternoon and night, and in the morning found ourselves nearly the length of the South