there
was no sandy barren ground, no mangroves, no ants, no mosquitoes, and
that his anchorage lay between two considerable rivers. How these details
fit in with Port Curtis may be evident to his Eminence, but is not
apparent to less distinguished mortals. The district of Port Curtis when
discovered was very thinly populated, and shows no signs of ever having
been otherwise. Bows and arrows and earthenware vessels were absolutely
unknown throughout Australia; houses did not exist, except in the form of
temporary shelters of branches, leaves, and bark; the fruits and animals
mentioned were unknown; and sandy barren country with mangroves, ants,
and mosquitoes does exist in considerable quantity. The anchorage, had De
Quiros ever been there, might have been between two rivers, the Boyne and
Calliope (both of small size), but Cardinal Moran, to make this detail
"fit in admirably", has recourse to the bold measure of moving the mouth
of the Burnett River from Wide Bay to Port Curtis--some 2 1/2 degrees to
the north of its real position.

On the other hand, Cook's description of the New Hebrides fits in with
much greater accuracy. The latitude was found to be 15 degrees 5 minutes
South, and Mr. Cooper, who went ashore with the boats, reported that he
landed near a fine stream of fresh water, "probably one of those
mentioned by De Quiros; and if we were not deceived, we saw the other."
The country was described by Cook thus:

"an uncommonly luxuriant vegetation was everywhere to be seen; the sides
of the hills were chequered with plantations; and every valley watered by
a stream; of all the productions of nature this country was adorned with,
the coconut trees were the most conspicuous."

A few canoes ventured near enough to have some presents thrown to them,
but here the intercourse ended, for Cook felt that, notwithstanding the
inviting appearance of the place, he had no time to spare from the great
object of the expedition, namely, the exploration of the Southern Ocean,
and, as the wind was favourable, sailed for New Zealand for a refit.

CHAPTER 14. 1774 TO 1775. SECOND VOYAGE CONCLUDED.

On 4th September Midshipman Colnett sighted a large island, which was
named New Caledonia, the point first seen being called Cape Colnett. An
opening in the surrounding reef having been found by the boats, the
Resolution worked up to an anchorage and was quickly surrounded by canoes
whose occupants were totally unarmed. At first t