230 cook's SECOND VOYAGE NOV. 



It affords good riding with the wind westerly, and 

 regular soundings from eleven to five fathoms, stiff 

 muddy ground across the bay for about two miles. 

 It is open from N. N. E. to E, S. E. It is to be ob- 

 served, easterly winds seldom blow hard on this shore, 

 but when they do, they throw in a great sea ; so that 

 if it were not for a great undertow, together with a 

 large river that empties itself in the bottom of the 

 bay, a ship would not be able to ride here. Wood 

 and water are easily to be had, except when it blows 

 hard easterly. The natives here are the same as those 

 at Charlotte Sound, but more numerous, and seemed 

 settled, having regular plantations of sweet potatoes, 

 and other roots, which are very good ; and they have 

 plenty of cray and other fish, which we bought of 

 them for nails, beads, and other trifles, at an easy 

 rate. In one of their canoes we observed the head 

 of a woman lying in state, adorned with feathers and 

 other ornaments. It had the appearance of being 

 alive ; but, on examination, we found it dry, being 

 preserved with every feature perfect, and kept as the 

 relic of some deceased relation. 



Having got about ten tons of water, and some 

 wood, we sailed for Charlotte Sound on the l&th. 

 We were no sooner out than the wind began to blow 

 hard, dead on the shore, so that we could not clear 

 the land on either tack. This obliged us to bear 

 away again for the bay, where we anchored the next 

 morning, and rode out a very heavy gale of wind at E. 

 by S. which threw in a very great sea. We now be- 

 gan to fear we should never join the Resolution ; 

 having reason to believe she was in Charlotte Sound, 

 and by this time ready for sea. We soon found it was 

 with great difficulty we could get any water, owing to 

 the swell setting in so strong ; at last, however, we 

 were able to go on shore, and got both wood and 

 water. 



.Whilst we lay here, we were employed about the 

 rigging, which was much damaged by the constant 



