sition to steal was equally strong in
these as in the other South Sea islanders, and a man was killed who
tried to plunder the watering-party, but this was not known to Captain
Cook till after they had sailed. They also discovered that the practice
of eating human flesh was prevalent. To a group of these islands (and
they were generally found in clusters) Captain Cook gave the name of the
Sandwich Islands, in honor of the noble earl at the head of the
Admiralty.

The voyage to the northward was continued on February 2, and the
long-looked-for coast of New Albion was made on March 7; the ships,
after sailing along it till the 29th, came to anchor in a small cove. A
brisk trade commenced with the natives, who appeared to be well
acquainted with the value of iron, for which they exchanged the skins of
various animals, such as bears, wolves, foxes, deer, etc., both in their
original state and made up into garments. But the most extraordinary
articles were human skulls, and hands not quite stripped of the flesh,
and which had the appearance of having been recently on the fire.
Thieving was practiced at this place in a more scientific manner than
they had before remarked; and the natives insisted upon being paid for
the wood and other things supplied to the ships, with which Captain Cook
scrupulously complied. This inlet was named King George's Sound, but it
was afterwards ascertained that the natives called it Nootka Sound.
After making every requisite nautical observation, the ships being again
ready for sea on the 26th, in the evening they departed, a severe gale
of wind blowing them away from the shore. From this period they examined
the coast, under a hope of finding some communication with the Polar
Sea; one river they traced a long distance, which was afterwards named
Cook's River.

They left this place June 6, but notwithstanding all their watchfulness
and vigilance, no passage could be found. The ships ranged across the
mouth of the strait. The natives of the islands, by their manners, gave
evident tokens of their being acquainted with Europeans--most probably
Russian traders. They put in at Oonalaska and other places, which were
taken possession of in the name of the King of England. On August 3, Mr.
Anderson, surgeon of the _Resolution_, died from a lingering
consumption, under which he had been suffering more than twelve months.
He was a young man of considerable ability, and possessed an amiable
disposition.