[Footnote 81:  A somewhat different account of the operation called fothering a vessel, is given in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.  The expedient does not appear to be adopted.  The importance of the benefit intended by it is so great, as to justify the most sedulous care to bring the principle within the range of a seaman’s professional studies.  It is somewhat singular that Cook was not acquainted with it.—­E.]

[Footnote 82:  With the modesty of real worth, Cook expends his eulogium on his companions in danger, without seeming to reserve the smallest consideration for his own dignified behaviour in such extreme peril.  Who can doubt, that the conduct of the crew was in unison with the fortitude and intelligence of their commander?  It is on such occasions that the effects of discipline are most conspicuous.  In common occurrences, the mere attention to rules is amply sufficient to call forth our esteem.  What shall we say of their merit, who, in such untoward emergencies, extend the influence of beneficial authority beyond the force of some of the strongest passions that agitate our frame?—­E.]

In the mean time, having light airs at E.S.E. we got up the main top-mast, and main-yard, and kept edging in for the land, till about six o’clock in the evening, when we came to an anchor in seventeen fathom water, at the distance of seven leagues from the shore, and one from the ledge of rocks upon which we had struck.

This ledge or shoal lies in latitude 15 deg. 45’ S., and between six and seven leagues from the main.  It is not however the only shoal on this part of the coast, especially to the northward; and at this time we saw one to the southward, the tail of which we passed over, when we had uneven soundings about two hours before we struck.  A part of this shoal is always above water, and has the appearance of white sand:  A part also of that upon which we had lain is dry at low water, and in that place consists of sand stones, but all the rest of it is a coral rock.

Whilst we lay at anchor for the night, we found that the ship made about fifteen inches water an hour, from which no immediate danger was to be apprehended; and at six o’clock in the morning we weighed and stood to the N.W., still edging in for the land with a gentle breeze at S.S.E.  At nine we passed close without two small islands that lie in latitude 15 deg. 41’ S., and about four leagues from the main:  To reach these islands had, in the height of our distress, been the object of our hope, or perhaps rather of our wishes, and therefore I called them Hope Islands.  At noon we were about three leagues from the land, and in latitude 15 deg. 37’ S.; the northermost part of the main in sight bore N. 30 W.; and Hope Islands extended from S. 30 E. to S. 40 E. In this situation we had twelve fathom water, and several sand banks without us.  At this time the leak had not increased; but that we might be prepared for all events, we got the sail ready