Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/223

Nov. 1769.] Rocks and the Main, having from 7 to 10 fathoms. The double Canoe which we saw last night follow'd us to-day under Sail, and keept abreast of the Ship near an hour talking to Tupia, but at last they began to pelt us with stones. But upon firing one Musquet they dropt aStern and left us. At ½ past 10 Passed between a low flat Island and the Main, the distance from one to the other being 4 Miles; depth of Water 10, 12, and 15 fathoms. At Noon the flat Island bore from N.E. to E. ½ N., distance 5 or 6 Miles; Latitude in per Observation 37° 30′ S., Longitude 183° 30′ W. The Main land between this and the Island of Mowtohara, which is 10 Leagues, is of a moderate height, and all a level, flat Country, pretty clear of wood and full of Plantations and Villiages. These Villiages are built upon Eminences Near the Sea, and are Fortified on the land side with a Bank and a Ditch, and Pallisaded all round. Besides this, some of them appear'd to have out-works. We have before now observed, on several parts of the Coast, small Villiages inclosed with Pallisades and works of this kind built on Eminences and Ridges of hills, but Tupia had all along told us that they were Mories, or places of worship; but I rather think they are places of retreat or strong hold where they defend themselves against the Attack of an Enemy, as some of them seem'd not ill design'd for that Purpose.

Friday, 3rd.—P.M. Fresh Gales at N.E. by E. and hazey weather. At 2 pass'd a small high Island lying 4 Miles from a high round head on the Main ; from this head the land Trends N.West as far as we could see, and appeared to be very rugged and hilly. The weather being very hazey, and the Wind blowing fresh on shore, we hauled off close upon a wind for the weathermost Island in sight, which bore from us N.N.E., distant 6 or 7 Leagues. Under this Island we spent the Night, having a fresh gale at N.E. and N.E. by E., and hazey weather with rain; this Island I have called the Mayor. At 7 a.m. it bore S. 47° E., distant 6 Leagues, and a Cluster of small Islands and Rocks bore N. ½ E., distant one League. At the time had a Gentle breeze at E.N.E. and clear weather. The Cluster of Islands and Rocks just mentioned we named the Court of Aldermen; they lay in the Compass of about half a League every way, and 5 Leagues from the Main, between which and them lay other Islands. The most of them are barren rocks, and of these there is a very great Variety, some of them are of as small a Compass as the Monument in London, and Spire up