running to leeward in the dark, I chose to keep without
the islands, and accordingly hauled off to the north.
At eight o’clock we were abreast of the most
eastern isle, distant from it about two miles, and
had the same depth of water as before. I now shortened
sail to the three top-sails, to wait for clear weather;
for the fog was so thick that we could see no other
land than this island. After waiting an hour,
and the weather not clearing, we bore up and hauled
round the east end of the island, for the sake of
smooth water and anchorage, if it should be necessary.
In hauling round, we found a strong race of a current,
like unto broken water; but we had no less than nineteen
fathoms. We also saw on the island abundance of
seals and birds. This was a temptation too great
for people in our situation to withstand, to whom
fresh provisions of any kind were acceptable; and determined
me to anchor, in order that we might taste of what
we now only saw at a distance. At length, after
making a few boards, fishing, as it were, for the
best ground, we anchored in twenty-one fathoms water,
a stony bottom, about a mile from the island, which
extended from N. 18 deg. E. to N. 55 deg. 1/2
W.; and soon after, the weather clearing up, we saw
Cape St John, or the east end of Staten Land, bearing
S. 76 deg. E., distant four leagues. We
were sheltered from the south wind by Staten Land,
and from the north wind by the island; the other isles
lay to the west, and secured us from that wind; but
beside being open to the N.E. and E., we also lay
exposed to the N.N.W. winds. This might have been
avoided by anchoring more to the west, but I made
choice of my situation for two reasons; first, to
be near the island we intended to land upon, and,
secondly, to be able to get to sea with any wind.
After dinner we hoisted out three boats, and landed
with a large party of men; some to kill seals, others
to catch or kill birds, fish, or what came in our
way. To find the former it mattered not where
we landed, for the whole shore was covered with them;
and by the noise they made one would have thought
the island was stocked with cows and calves. On
landing we found they were a different animal from
seals, but in shape and motion exactly resembling
them. We called them lions, on account of the
great resemblance the male has to that beast.[3] Here
were also the same kind of seals which we found in
New Zealand, generally known by the name of sea-bears;
at least we gave them that name.
[Footnote 3: The resemblance had been noticed
by earlier voyagers, and procured for these animals
the same name. This is mentioned by Mr G.F.,
who refers to Francis Petty in Hackluyt’s collection,
Sir Richard Hawkins, Sir John Nasborough and Labbe,
in Des Brosses’ Nav. aux Terres Australes.
The description which the same gentleman has given
of these remarkable creatures is too interesting (though
Cook’s account afterwards given might suffice)
to be omitted. “The old males were, in