ovember the Resolution left the Sound at daybreak to cross the
South Pacific between latitudes 54 and 55 degrees, and the course
convinced Cook there was no possibility of there being any large piece of
land in that portion of the ocean. He therefore stood for the western
entrance of Magellan's Straits, sighting Cape Descada on 17th December,
following the coast round to Christmas Sound, which they reached on the
20th, the country passed being described as "the most desolate and barren
I ever saw." At Christmas Sound they were more fortunate, for wood,
water, wild celery, and a large number of geese provided them with a
welcome banquet for Christmas Day. They were visited by some of the
natives, described as "a little, ugly, half-starved, beardless race; I
saw not a tall person amongst them." The scent of dirt and train oil they
carried with them was "enough to spoil the appetite of any European,"
consequently none were invited to join the festivities. They had European
knives, cloth, handkerchiefs, etc., showing they had been in
communication with white men; and Forster notes they had canoes which
could not have been made in the neighbourhood, for there was no timber of
sufficient size.

CAPE HORN CORRECTED.

Cape Horn was passed on 29th December, and Cook made his longitude 68
degrees 13 minutes West, a little too far to the westward; it should be
67 degrees 16 minutes West. This is absolutely correct, according to
Wharton. On 1st January 1775 they landed on a small island off Staten
Island, and then put in to a fine sheltered harbour on the main island,
which consequently was named New Year Harbour. The weather proved
unfavourable for surveying, but enough was ascertained to convince them
that the Tierra del Fuego and Staten Island coasts were not so dangerous
to navigation as they had been represented.

On 3rd January they left to look for Dalrymple's Gulf of Sebastian, which
Cook thought was non-existent, and on the 6th they reached the position
given on the chart, but could find no signs of any land. Bearing up to
the north, Georgia Island was seen on the 14th, and was found to be
entirely covered with snow, creating surprise as it was now the height of
summer. The ship ran in between Georgia and Willis Islands, and
possession was formally taken of the group, though Cook did not think
that "any one would ever be benefited by the discovery." Working as far
south as 60 degrees, he turned to the east, being "tired