226 cook's second voyage march, 



The next day the observed latitude at noon was 

 only seventeen miles to the north of that given by 

 the log; so that we had either got out of the strength 

 of the current, or it had ceased. 



On the 15th the observed latitude at noon, toge- 

 ther with the watch, shewed that we had had a 

 strong current setting to the S. W. the contrary di- 

 rection to what we had experienced on some of the 

 preceding days, as hath been mentioned. 



At day-light, on the 16th, we saw two sail in the 

 N. W. quarter standing to the westward, and one of 

 them shewing Dutch colours. At ten o'clock we 

 tacked and stood to the west also, being at this time 

 in the latitude of 35° 9'S., longitude 22° 38' E. 



I now, in pursuance of my instructions, demanded 

 of the officers and petty officers, the log-books and 

 journals they had kept ; which were delivered to me 

 accordingly, and sealed up for the inspection of the 

 Admiralty. I also enjoined them, and the whole 

 crew, not to divulge where we had been, till they 

 had their Lordships' permission so to do. In the 

 afternoon the wind veered to the west, and increased 

 to a hard gale, which was of short duration ; for, the 

 next day, it fell, and at noon veered to S. E. At 

 this time we were in the latitude of 34° 49' S., lon- 

 gitude 22° E. ; and, on sounding, found fifty-six 

 fathoms water. In the evening we saw the land in 

 the direction of E. N. E., about six leagues distant; 

 and, during the forepart of the night, there was a 

 great fire or light upon it. 



At day-break on the 18th, we saw the land again, 

 bearing N. N. W., six or seven leagues distant, and 

 the depth of water forty-eight fathoms. At nine 

 o'clock, having little or no wind, we hoisted out a 

 boat and sent on board one of the two ships before 

 mentioned, which were about two leagues from us ; 

 but we were too impatient after news to regard the 

 distance. Soon after, a breeze sprung up at west, 

 with which we stood to the south ; and, presently, 



