of these high
southern latitudes where nothing was to be found but ice and thick fogs,"
and a long hollow swell coming from the westward convinced him that he
was correct in his assumption that the Gulf of Sebastian and a large body
of land did not exist. On the 30th two large islands were seen, and then
three rocky islets to the north; the largest was named Freezeland Peak,
after the sailor who sighted it, S. Freesland; and behind these was an
elevated coast which received the name of Southern Thule, as being the
most southerly land then discovered. The position of the ship was given
as 59 degrees 13 minutes 30 seconds South, 27 degrees 45 minutes West.

During the early part of February they ran down east between 58 and 59
degrees South, frequently having to throw the ship up into the wind to
shake the snow out of her sails, for the weather was very bad. After
another unsuccessful attempt to find Cape Circumcision, the ship's head
was turned towards the Cape of Good Hope on 23rd February, and Cook had
the satisfaction of feeling he had solved the problem of the
non-existence of any southern continent except in close proximity to the
Pole. He firmly believed from his observations of the icefields that such
a continent in the far south did exist, but he asserted that further
exploration in that direction would be of little service to navigation,
and would be hardly worth the cost and danger that must be incurred.

On 16th March two Dutch ships were seen steering to the west, and a boat
was sent off to the nearest, which proved to be the Bownkirke Polder,
from Bengal. They were offered any supplies the Dutchman had,
notwithstanding the latter was rather short, owing to his being some time
out from port. Some English sailors on board told of the Adventure having
been at the Cape of Good Hope some twelve months previously, and that she
had reported the massacre of a boat's crew in New Zealand. At the same
time three more sail came up, one, an English ship, did not intend to
call at the Cape, so Cook forwarded by her a letter to the Admiralty and
received some provisions, and, most valuable gift, a packet of old
newspapers. On the 22nd the Resolution anchored in Table Bay, saluting
the Dutch flag with thirteen guns, and the next morning Cook waited on
the Governor, who did everything he could to assist him and render his
stay agreeable.

THREE ON THE SICK LIST.

Cook was greatly pleased to be able to report three men onl