We settled the astronomer with his instruments, and a sufficient guard, on a small island, that is joined to Motuara at low water, called the Hippa, where there was an old fortified town that the natives had forsaken.  Their houses served our people to live in; and, by sinking them about a foot inside, we made them very comfortable.  Having done this, we struck our tents on the Motuara, and having removed the ship farther into the cove on the west shore, moored her for the winter.  We then erected our tents near the river or watering-place, and sent ashore all the spars and lumber off the decks, that they might be caulked; and gave her a winter coat to preserve the hull and rigging.

1773 May

On the 11th of May, we felt two severe shocks of an earthquake, but received no kind of damage.  On the 17th, we were surprised by the people firing guns on the Hippa, and having sent the boat, as soon as she opened the sound, had the pleasure of seeing the Resolution off the mouth of it.  We immediately sent out the boats to tow her in, it being calm.  In the evening she anchored about a mile without us; and next morning weighed and warped within us.  Both ships felt uncommon joy at our meeting, after an absence of fourteen weeks.

CHAPTER VIII.

Transactions in Queen Charlotte’s Sound, with some Remarks on the Inhabitants.

1773 May

Knowing that scurvy-grass, celery, and other vegetables, were to be found in this sound, I went myself the morning after my arrival, at day-break, to look for some, and returned on board at breakfast with a boat-load.  Being now satisfied, that enough was to be got for the crews of both ships, I gave orders that they should be boiled, with wheat and portable broth, every morning for breakfast; and with peas and broth for dinner; knowing from experience, that these vegetables, thus dressed, are extremely beneficial, in removing all manner of scorbutic complaints.

I have already mentioned a desire I had of visiting Van Diemen’s Land, in order to inform myself if it made a part of New Holland; and I certainly should have done this, had the winds proved favourable.  But as Captain Furneaux had now, in a great measure, cleared up that point, I could have no business there; and therefore came to a resolution to continue our researches to the east, between the latitudes of 41 deg. and 46 deg..  I acquainted Captain Furneaux therewith, and ordered him to get his ship in readiness to put to sea as soon as possible.

In the morning of the 20th, I sent ashore, to the watering-place near the Adventure’s tent, the only ewe and ram remaining, of those which I brought from the Cape of Good Hope, with an intent to leave them in this country.  Soon after I visited the several gardens Captain Furneaux had caused to be made and planted with various articles; all of which were in a flourishing state, and, if attended to by the natives, may prove of great utility to them.  The next day I set some men to work to make a garden on Long Island, which I planted with garden seeds, roots, &c.