40 cook's SECOND VOYAGE NOV. 



CHAP. II. 



DEPARTURE FROM THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, IN SEARCH OF 



A SOUTHERN CONTINENT. 



-Having at length finished my business at the Cape, 

 and taken leave of the governor and some others of 

 the chief officers, who, with very obliging readiness, 

 had given me all the assistance I could desire, on 

 the 22d November we repaired on board, and at 

 three o'clock in the afternoon weighed, and came 

 to sail with the wind at N. by W. As soon as the 

 anchor was up, we saluted the fort with fifteen guns, 

 which was immediately returned ; and after making 

 a few trips, got out of the bay by seven o'clock, at 

 which time the town bore S. E., distant four miles. 

 After this we stood to the westward all night, in order 

 to get clear of the land ; having the wind at N. N. W. 

 and N. W,, blowing in squalls, attended with rain, 

 which obliged us to reef our topsails. The sea was 

 again illuminated for some time, in the same man- 

 ner as it was the night before we arrived in Table 

 Bay. 



Having got clear of the land, I directed my course 

 for Cape Circumcision, The wind continued at 

 N. W. a moderate gale, until the 24th ; when it 

 veered round to the eastward. On the noon of this 

 day, we were in the latitude of 35 9,5' south, and 

 29' west of the Cape ; and had abundance of al- 

 batrosses about us, several of which were caught 

 with hook and line ; and were very well relished by 

 many of the people, notwithstanding they were at 

 this time served with fresh mutton. Judging that 

 we should soon come into cold weather, I ordered 

 slops to be served to such as were in want ; and gave 



