1774*' ROUND THE WORLD. 297 



CHAP. IX. 



THE PASSAGE FROM EASTER ISLAND TO THE MARQUESAS 



ISLANDS. TRANSACTIONS AND INCIDENTS WHICH HAPPENED 



WHILE THE SHIP LAY IN MADRE DE DIOS, OR RESOLUTION 

 BAY, IN THE ISLAND OF ST. CHRISTINA. 



After leaving Easter Island, I steered north-west 

 by north, and north-north-west, with a fine easterly 

 gale, intending to touch at the Marquesas, if I met 

 with nothing before I got there. We had not been 

 long at sea, before the bilious disorder made another 

 attack upon me, but not so violent as the former. I 

 believe this second visit was owing to my exposing 

 and fatiguing myself too much at Easter Island. 



On the 22d, being in the latitude of 19 20' S., 

 longitude 114 49' W., steered north-west. Since 

 leaving Easter Island, the variation had not been 

 more than 3 4', nor less than 2 32' E. ; but on the 

 26th, in latitude 15 7' S., longitude 119 45' W., it 

 was no more than 1 1' E., after which it began to 

 increase. 



On the 29th, being in latitude 10 20', longitude 

 123 58' W., altered the course to west north-west, 

 and the next day to west, being then in latitude 

 9 24', which I judged to be the parallel of the Mar- 

 quesas ; where, as I have before observed, I intended 

 to touch in order to settle their situation, which I 

 find different in different charts. Having now a 

 steady settled trade-wind, and pleasant weather, I 

 ordered the forge to be set up, to repair and make 

 various necessary articles in the iron way, and the 

 calkers had already been some time at work calk- 

 ing the decks, weather-works, &c. 



