d in number, and the survivors in so weak a
condition, that if twenty more were to die or fall sick, there would
not be a sufficient number remaining to navigate both ships. The true
reason, however, in the opinion of the author of this voyage, was the
anxiety to get to the East Indies before the change of the monsoon,
in which case they must have remained six months longer in these
seas. Some of the officers opposed this motion to the last, earnestly
entreating the commodore that he would rather winter at the land
mentioned by Ferdinand de Quiros, from which they could not now be
more than 150 leagues distant. They insisted that it was wrong to
think of going to the East Indies, that being directly contrary to
the design of their instructions: And that by continuing in the same
western course, they could not fail to fall in with some island, where
they might land and procure refreshments, remaining on shore till
all their sick men were recovered, and erecting a fort to defend
themselves against the natives. If this were complied with, they said
they might afterwards return home by an eastern coarse; and, by taking
time, might effectually complete the discoveries on which they were
sent.

These reasons were listened to with patience and civility, but had
not the weight they deserved; and a resolution was formed to continue
their coarse for New Britain and New Guinea, and thence to the East
Indies, by way of the Moluccas, being in hopes to procure there a
supply of provisions and necessaries, together with a reinforcement
of seamen, in case they should then be too weak for navigating their
ships home to Europe. In consequence of this resolution, an end was
put to all hope of visiting the land of Quiros, which the best seamen
on board thought might have been easily discovered, called by him
and Torres the _Islands of Solomon_, and reported to be beautiful
and fertile, and abounding in gold, silver, precious stones, and
spices.[5]

[Footnote 5: We have here omitted a long, uninteresting, and
inconclusive disquisition on the supposed Terra Australis, as
altogether founded on supposition and error.--E.]

Leaving the island of _Recreation_, Roggewein steered a coarse towards
the N.W. pursuant to the resolution of the council, in order to get
into the latitude of New Britain. On the third day, in lat. 12 deg. S.
and long. 29 deg. they discovered several islands which appeared very
beautiful at a distance, and, on a nearer