stream. The
survey of the group being at length completed, the Resolution stood away
towards New Zealand. The supposed continent of Quiros had dwindled into
a small island, and, as Captain Cook took his departure from the
south-west point in latitude 15 degrees 40 minutes, longitude 165
degrees 59 minutes, he named it Cape Lisbourne. The Resolution
continued her course to the south-west, from September 1 till the 4th,
when land was discovered bearing south-south-west, and extending round
for some leagues. Breakers were seen half-way between the ship and the
shore, and inside them were several canoes, evidently coming off, but as
night fell they returned. The night was spent in standing off and on
the land, and the next morning, the boats having discovered a channel
through the reef, the ship stood in and came to anchor. She was
immediately surrounded by a number of natives, who came off in eighteen
canoes. They were entirely unarmed, and apparently well disposed. Some
presents were thrown to them, for which they offered two stale fish in
return, and, confidence being established, numbers crowded on board.
Some were asked into the cabin to dinner. They showed, however, no
curiosity to taste the pea-soup, salt beef, or pork, but ate some yams.

Except a curious wrapper generally in use these people were entirely
naked. They seemed intelligent, and examined with considerable interest
the goats, hogs, dogs, and cats on board, which, it was evident, they
had never before seen. They valued spike-nails and cloth of all
colours, but red cloth they preferred. A young chief was seen in one of
the canoes, but did not come on board. After dinner, Captain Cook,
accompanied by a native, landed with two armed boats' crews. The beach
was thronged with people, and the native pointed out those to whom
presents should be given, mostly old men; among them was the chief,
Teabooma, who soon calling for silence addressed the people, apparently
in favour of the strangers. All the chiefs in succession made speeches,
the old men giving a grunt and a nod of approbation at the end of each
sentence. The captain kept his eyes on the people all the time, and was
completely convinced of their good intentions. Having made signs that
water was wanting, his native friend conducted them along the coast,
lined with mangroves, to a creek, on going up which, above the
mangroves, a straggling village appeared; the ground around being laid
ou