196 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



done in one voyage, towards obtaining that end, than has 

 been done in this." 



On the 18th of December, as they continued to range the 

 coast, about two leagues distance, they passes a projecting 

 point, which was called Cape Gloucester. It shews a round 

 surface of considerable height, and has much the appearance 

 of being an island, distant seventeen leagues from the Isle of 

 Landfall. 



On the 20th, at noon, they observed York Minster, then 

 distant five leagues. At ten o'clock, a breeze springing up 

 at E. by S., they took this opportunity to stand in for the 

 land, to recruit their stock of wood and water, and take a 

 view of the country. 



Here was found plenty of wood and water, and they set 

 about doing what was necessary to the ship, the outside of 

 which was become very foul. The Captain was now told 

 of a melancholy accident which had befallen one of the 

 marines. He had not been seen since eleven or twelve 

 o'clock the preceding night. It was supposed that he had 

 fallen overboard, out of the head, where he had been last 

 seen, and was drowned. 



On the 23rd, Mr. Pickersgill was sent in the cutter to 

 explore the east side of the sound, with an intent to survey 

 the island, under which they were at anchor, and which 

 the Captain called Shag Island. 



About seven in the evening he returned, and reported that 

 the land opposite to their station was an island which he had 

 been round ; that between it and the east head lay a cove in 

 which were many geese. 



This information induced them to make up two shooting 

 parties next day; Mr. Pickersgill and his associates going 

 in the cutter, and the Captain and the botanists in the 

 pinnace. Mr. Pickersgill went in one direction, and the 

 Captain in another, and they had sport enough among the 

 geese, whence this was denominated Goose Island. There 

 being a high surf, they found great difficulty in landing, and 

 very bad climbing over the rocks when they were landed ; 

 so that hundreds of the geese escaped, some into the sea, 

 and others up into the land. They, however, by one means 

 or other, got sixty-two, with which they returned on board 

 all heartily tired ; but the acquisition they had made over- 

 balanced every other consideration, and they sat down 

 with a good appetite to supper, on part of what the preceding 

 day had produced. Mr. Pickersgill and his associates had 

 got on board some time before with fourteen geese, so that 

 they were able to make a distribution to the whole crew, 

 which was more the acceptable on account of the approach- 

 ing festival ; for had not Providence thus singularly 



