22 MEMOIR OP 



however, to give the advice than to resist the 

 inclination, for the Doctor himself was the first to 

 violate the injunction, and had it not been for the 

 energy, intrepidity, and resolution of Mr Banks, 

 he would have fallen a victim to his indiscretion. 

 By his exertions he was at length removed to a 

 place where they had succeeded in kindling a fire* 

 '* Here they passed the night in a situation, which, 

 however dreadful in itself, was rendered more 

 afflicting by the remembrance of what was past, 

 and the uncertainty of what was to come. Of 

 twelve, the number that set out together in health 

 and spirits, two were supposed to be already dead; 

 a third was so ill that it was very doubtful 

 whether he would be able to go forward in the 

 morning ; and a fourth, Mr Buchan, was in danger 

 of a return of his fits* by fresh fatigue, after so 

 uncomfortable a night. They were distant from 

 the ship a long day's journey through pathless 

 woods, in which it was too probable they might 

 be bewildered, till they were overtaken by the 

 next night ; and, not having prepared for a jour- 

 ney of more than eight or ten hours, they were 

 wholly destitute of provisions, except a vulture, 

 which they happened to shoot while they were out, 

 and which, if equally divided, would not afford 



* Mr Buchan was one of Mr Banks's draughtsmen. He 

 was subject to epileptic fits, and died at Otaheite, on the 

 17th of April. 



