and the women
wore a sort of apron. On the 28th the _Resolution_ again sailed, and
rounded Cape Horn the next morning. She afterwards put into Success
Bay, in the Straits of Le Maire, where a notice was left for Captain
Furneaux, should he call there. Vast numbers of sea-lions, bears,
geese, and ducks were obtained, the former for the sake of their
blubber, from which oil was made. On the 3rd of January, 1775, the
_Resolution_ was again at sea. Ten days afterwards two islands were
discovered--one being named "Willis's Island," from the man who first
saw it, and the other "Bird Island,"--while beyond, land was seen
extending for a considerable distance.

On approaching, they landed at three different places,--the British flag
was displayed, and possession of the country taken in his Majesty's
name. It was a dreary region, bordered by perpendicular cliffs of
considerable height, from which pieces were continually breaking off.
Beyond, the country was equally savage and horrible, not even a shrub
being seen large enough to make a toothpick.

At first it was supposed to be a continent, but proved, after they had
sailed partly round it, to be an island, about seventy leagues in
circuit. After passing other islets and rocks, land of considerable
extent was discovered, to which the name of "Sandwich Land" or "Southern
Thule" was given. It rose to a great height, covered everywhere with
snow. While the _Resolution_ was close in with the coast, a great
westerly swell sent her nearer and nearer to it. No bottom was found,
and a thick haze obscured the land. It appeared too probable that the
ship would be dashed to pieces on one of the most horrible coasts in the
world. When the fog cleared away, a point appeared, beyond which no
land was visible.

After escaping this danger, Captain Cook looked in vain for the
long-sought Cape Circumcision. Convinced, at last, that it did not
exist, to the delight of all he steered for the Cape of Good Hope. On
arriving there he found a letter from Captain Furneaux, giving an
account of the massacre of a midshipman and a boat's crew by the
natives, who had rushed down on them while at dinner, and clubbed them
all.

After being treated with great courtesy by the Dutch, Captain Cook
sailed for England on the 27th of April, in company with the _Dutton_
East Indiaman, and on the 30th of July, 1775, he anchored at Spithead,
having been absent from home three years and eighteen days