Tower in thirty-two
waggons, attended by a large procession. The voyage thus happily ended
had occupied three years and nine months. Had the ships been properly
fitted out, and supplied with efficient crews, most of the disasters
which had attended the expedition would have been avoided. At the same
time the intrepidity and prudence of the commodore, and the unflinching
perseverance and courage displayed by the seamen, are worthy of all
admiration, and make the expedition of the _Centurion_ one of the most
notable of voyages.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

VOYAGES OF CAPTAIN COOK--A.D. 1768.

Birth and education--Enters the Royal Navy--Employed to take soundings
in the Saint Lawrence--Diligence in study--Marriage--Expedition to
observe the transit of Venus--Cook appointed to the command--Equipment
of the _Endeavour_--Scientific men sail with him--Leave Plymouth--The
nuns of Santa Clara--Jealousy of the Governor of Rio de Janeiro--Natives
come on board--Their behaviour--Landing and exploring the country--
Overtaken by a snow-storm--Sufferings from cold--Return to the ship--
Voyage continued--Round Cape Horn--Run 700 leagues--Coral reefs--Naming
islands--Anchor in Matavia Bay--Conduct of the natives--Captain Cook
lands--Aspect of the country--Reception by the chiefs--Pocket-picking by
the inhabitants--A thief shot--Annoyance of Captain Cook--Excursions up
the country--Erect a fort--Punishment of one of the ship's company--The
pity of the natives excited--Theft--Recovery of the property--The
transit of Venus--The Queen Oberea--A native priest wishes to accompany
the English--Dress, habits, and manufactures of the natives--The
expedition sails--Islands visited--A famous warrior--Dancers--The
Society Islands--Off Oheteroa--Opposition of the people--Anniversary of
sailing--A comet--Discovery of New Zealand--Disturbance with the
natives--Prisoners taken--Attempt to carry off a boy--Mercury Bay--
Furious Gale--Survey of New Zealand completed--Australia sighted--
Anchor, and go on shore--Conduct of the people--Botany Bay--Strikes a
reef--Repairing the vessel--Australia--Sail for England--Sickness at
Batavia--Arrival.

Captain James Cook, who deservedly takes rank as the greatest of English
explorers and navigators, was the son of a farm labourer, and born at
Marton, near Stockton-upon-Tees, on the 27th of October, 1728. Shortly
afterwards his father, an intelligent and industrious man, obtained a
situation as farm bailiff