COOK IN "ENDEAVOUR" 85 



was pressed into the hole by which the water had been rushing 

 into the ship. Then the pumps easily kept the water under control. 

 In the nick of time, a harbour of refuge was found. On the 

 I7th June, the "Endeavour" lay alongside a steep beach in 

 ENDEAVOUR INLET, where, 103 years later, arose the town of 

 COOKTOWN. (SEE MAP E.) When the bottom could be examined, 

 it was found that the biggest hole was plugged up by a stone which 

 had been detached from the reef. Had this rock dropped out, 

 the ship must inevitably have foundered. 



While the ship was being repaired, the officers and passengers 

 explored the land. They were in harbour till 4th August. They 

 made the acquaintance of the kangaroo, the opossum, the dingo, 

 the flying fox, the snake, the turtle, the " alligator " and many 

 birds. Banks collected a store of plants then new to science. 



Tied, as they were, to the crippled ship, we cannot expect much 

 information from Cook and his companions regarding the interior. 

 Cook himself climbed GRASSY HILL, south of the harbour, and 

 probably also the jungle-clad hill now known as MOUNT COOK. 

 What concerned him most was the question of a northward passage, 

 and the outlook in this respect was disquieting. He also climbed one 

 of the hills on the north side of the harbour, and another (MOUNT 

 SAUNDERS ?) 7 or 8 miles further north. Other members of the 

 party rowed up the ENDEAVOUR RIVER to fresh water. 



In Cook's mind, next to the safety of the ship, came the desire 

 to cultivate the friendship of the NATIVES (the Indians, as it was 

 then the fashion to call them) and observe their habits. The party 

 had, however, been in the harbour for no less than three weeks 

 before they " spoke " any of the inhabitants. On loth July, four 

 men appeared on the north side of the estuary, engaged in spearing 

 fish. Eventually, they paddled their outrigger canoe to the ship 

 and entered into conversation " without expressing any fear or 

 distrust." Small presents were given to the men, who came on 

 board and remained for some time. Besides the spears which they 

 carried, Cook noted the wimmera or throwing-stick. Daily 

 visits followed and amicable relations were established and 

 strengthened by gifts of iron, beads and food. It took the natives, 

 however, only nine days of intercourse to learn how to presume 

 upon the good nature of their hosts. On I9th July, a party of 

 sixteen or seventeen came to the ship, the number including, for 

 the first time, a few women. Scornfully rejecting biscuits, they 

 demanded a turtle and attempted to take it by force. Foiled in 

 this attempt, they leaped into the sea, climbed into their canoe and 

 paddled for the shore. Cook and Banks got into a boat, with a 

 crew, and were the first to land. As soon as the natives landed, 

 they snatched a brand from beneath a kettle of pitch and set fire to 

 the grass around the camp. The smith's forge was destroyed and 

 a pig was burned to death. The natives then made for another 



