e
blacks lay insensible on the ground. So exhausted were the party that
their united efforts failed to bring in the unfortunate negroes, who
quickly expired, and were left where they fell, covered up with boughs.
The night was passed in the greatest possible misery. In the morning,
so fierce were the snow-blasts that it was found impossible to proceed,
while they dared not venture to quit the fire. At length, having shot a
vulture, the only food they obtained, at ten o'clock they set out, and
after walking three hours found themselves on the beach, in sight of the
vessel. On the 22nd the _Endeavour_ proceeded on her voyage, and the
fourth day afterwards rounded Cape Horn. She then ran for seven hundred
leagues without land being in sight. Several coral islands were passed,
the first of which was inhabited, and, after the dreary mountains of
Tierra del Fuego, appeared a terrestrial Paradise. It was an almost
circular band of land, with here and there cocoa-nut trees rising out of
it, and enclosing a large lagoon. The natives appeared to be tall, of a
copper colour, with long black hair, and they held in their hands poles
of considerable length. This was called Lagoon Island, others, from
their shape, obtained the names of Bow Island, Chain Island, and and
Bird Island.

About noon on the 9th of April the high mountains of Otaheite were
faintly discerned, but owing to calms the ship did not come to an anchor
in Matavia Bay until the morning of the 13th. She was immediately
surrounded by canoes, their crews bringing off fruits and fish, and
waving green branches as a sign of friendship.

These were taken by the seamen and placed in different parts of the
ship, to show the natives that their visitors also wished for peace.
Strict rules were now laid down by the commander for the government of
his people while on shore. He then landed with Mr Banks and Dr
Solander, and a party of men under arms.

The natives received them in the most humble manner, the first who
approached creeping up on his hands and knees to present a green branch
as an emblem of peace.

After examining a place to ascertain if it was suitable for watering
purposes, the party marched three or four miles into the interior
through groves of trees loaded with cocoa-nuts and bread-fruit,
affording the most grateful shade. Numerous huts were seen under these
trees, which in the daytime had the appearance of roofs without walls.
At night mats were