Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/248

172 Top sail in such a manner that it was necessary to unbend it and bring another to the Yard. At 10 it fell more moderate and we set the Top sails double reef'd. At Noon had strong Gales and hazey weather, Tack'd and stood to the Westward. No land in sight for the first time since we have been upon the Coast.

Thursday, 14th.—Strong Gales at W. and W.S.W. with Squalls at times attended with Rain. At ½ past 3 P.M. Tack'd and stood to the Northward. A small Island lying off Knockle point, bore S. ½ W., distant half a League. In the evening brought the Ship under her Courses, having first Split the Fore and Mizen Top sails; at Midnight wore and Stood to the Southward until 5 a.m., then Tack'd and stood to the N.W. At this time saw the land bearing S., distant 8 or 9 Leagues; by this we found we had fell very much to Leeward since Yesterday morning. Set the Top sails close Reeft and the people to dry and repair the Damaged Sails. At Noon a strong Gale and clear weather, Latitude observ'd 34° 6′ S. Saw land bearing S.W. being the same N. Westermost land we have seen before, and which I take to be the Northern Extremity of this Country, as we have now a large swell rowling in from the Westward which could not well be, was we covered by any land on that point of the Compass.

Friday, 15th.—Fresh Gales at S.W., and for the most part clear weather with a large Swell from the Westward. At 8 P.M. Tack'd and Stood to the S.E. until 8 a.m., and then Tack'd and stood to the Westward with as much sail as the Ship could bear. At Noon we were in the Latitude of 34° 10′ S., and Long. 183° 45′ W., and by Estimation about 15 Leagues from the Land notwithstanding we used our utmost Endeavours to keep in with it.

Saturday, 16th.—Fresh breezes between the S. by W. and S.W. Clear weather with a Swell from the Westward. At 6 A.M. saw the land from the Mast Head bearing S.S.W. Got Top Gallant Yards up and set the Sail, unbent the Foresail to repair and brought another to the Yard. At Noon, Latitude observ'd 33° 43′ S.; Course made since Yesterday Noon N. 60° W.; distance 56 Miles. The Land in sight bearing S. by W., distant 14 Leagues.

Sunday, 17th.—A Gentle breeze between the S.W. by W. and W. with Clear weather. In standing in Shore sounded several times and had no ground with 90 fathoms of line. At 8 a.m. Tack'd in 108 fathoms 3 or 4 miles from the Shore, being the same point of Land as we had to the N.W. of us before we were blown off. At Noon it bore S.W., distant about 3 Miles. Mount Camel bore S. by E., distant 11 Leagues, and the Westermost land in sight bore S. 75° W.; Latitude observ'd 34° 20′ S. The people at work repairing the Sails, the most of them having been Split in the late blowing weather.