98 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



the ship, in the hope of breathing a purer air than in the 

 town, but his request could not be granted, as she was 

 unrigged, and preparations were making to lay her down, 

 in order that she might undergo a thorough repair. On the 

 28th, however, Mr. Banks attended Tupia to Cooper's 

 island, and a tent was pitched for him, in such a situation, 

 where he was alternately refreshed by the land and sea 

 breezes ; and the poor creature was extremely thankful 

 that he was so agreeably lodged. 



On the 5th of November, died Mr. Monkhouse, the 

 surgeon, whose loss was the more severely felt, as he was 

 a man of skill in his profession, and fell a sacrifice to the 

 pestiferous air of the country at a time when his abilities 

 were most wanted. 



Death now advanced with hasty strides among our 

 adventurous countrymen, who were equally unable to resist 

 his power, or shun his embraces. Several Malay servants 

 were engaged to wait on those who were ill; but these 

 people were so remiss in their duty that it was no uncommon 

 thing for the sick man to leave his bed in search of his 

 attendant. The Indian boy, Tayota, paid the debt of 

 nature on the 9th of this month, and Tupia, whose tender 

 affection for the youth can be equalled only by that of a 

 parent for a favourite child, was so shocked at the loss 

 that it was evident he could not long survive him. 



By this time the ship's bottom having been carefully 

 surveyed, our countrymen had ample reason to be grateful 

 to that Providence by which they had been preserved 

 during a passage of several hundred miles, through the 

 most dangerous seas on the face of the globe ; for the 

 sheathing in several places was torn from the vessel, the 

 false keel was in a great measure gone, the main keel was 

 damaged in many parts, several of the planks had received 



history, and other things useful to the learned world, cannot fail of 

 contributing very much to the success of the voyage. 



In justice to the officers and the whole crew, I must say they have 

 gone through the fatigues and dangers of the whole voyage with that 

 cheerfulness and alertness that will always do honour to British 

 seamen, and I have the satisfaction to say that I have not lost 

 one man by sickness during the whole voyage. 



I hope the repairs wanted to the ship will not be so great as to 

 detain us any length of time. You may be assured that I shall 

 make no unnecessary delay, either here or at any other place, but 

 shall make the best of my way home. 



I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, your most 

 obedient humble servant, 



(Signed) JAMES COOK. 



(From the original letter of Captain Cook. Records of the Admiralty, 

 Whitehall. Captains' Letters, C. vol. 22.) 



