Some may think it an extraordinary step in me to proceed on discoveries as far south at 46 deg. degrees of latitude, in the very depth of winter.  But though it most be owned, that winter is by no means favourable for discoveries, it nevertheless appeared to me necessary that something should be done in it, in order to lessen the work I was upon; lest I should not be able to finish the discovery of the southern part of the South Pacific Ocean the ensuing summer.  Besides, if I should discover any land in my route to the east, I should be ready to begin, with the summer, to explore it.  Setting aside all these considerations, I had little to fear; having two good ships well provided; and healthy crews.  Where then could I spend my time better?  If I did nothing more, I was at least in hopes of being able to point out to posterity, that these seas may be navigated, and that it is practicable to go on discoveries; even in the very depth of winter.

During our stay in the sound, I had observed that this second visit made to this country, had not mended the morals of the natives of either sex.  I had always looked upon the females of New Zealand to be more chaste than the generality of Indian women.  Whatever favours a few of them might have granted to the people in the Endeavour, it was generally done in a private manner, and the men did not seem to interest themselves much in it.  But now, I was told, they were the chief promoters of a shameful traffic, and that for a spike-nail, or any other thing they value, they would oblige the women to prostitute themselves, whether they would or no; and even without any regard to that privacy which decency required.

During our stay here, Mr Wales lost no opportunity to observe equal altitudes of the sun, for obtaining the rates of the watches.  The result of his labours proved, that Mr Kendal’s was gaining 9”, 5 per day, and Mr Arnold’s losing 94”, 15s per day, on mean time.

CHAPTER IX.

Route from New Zealand to Otaheite, with an Account of some low Islands, supposed to be the same that were seen by M. de Bougainville.

1773 June

On the 7th of June, at four in the morning, the wind being more favourable, we unmoored, and at seven weighed and put to sea, with the Adventure in company.  We had no sooner got out of the sound, than we found the wind at south, so that we had to ply through the straits.  About noon the tide of ebb setting out in our favour, made our boards advantageous; so that, at five o’clock in the evening.  Cape Palliser, on the island of Eahei-nomauwe, bore S.S.E. 1/2 S., and Cape Koamaroo, or the S.E. point of the sound, N. by W. 3/4 W.; presently after it fell calm, and the tide of flood now making against us, carried us at a great rate back to the north.  A little before high-water, the calm was succeeded by a breeze from the north, which soon increased to a brisk gale.  This, together with the ebb, carried us by eight o’clock the next morning quite through the strait.  Cape Palliser at this time bore E.N.E., and at noon N. by W. distant seven leagues.