216 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



On the 21st, Captain Cook ordered the still to be fitted to 

 the largest copper, which held about 64 gallons. The fire 

 was lighted at lour o'clock in the morning, and at six the 

 still began to run. It was continued till six in the evening, 

 in which time they obtained 32 gallons of fresh water, at the 

 expense of one bushel and a half of coals, which was about 

 three-fourths of a bushel more than was necessary to have 

 boiled the ship's company's victuals only ; but the expense 

 of fuel was no object with them. Upon the whole, this was 

 a useful invention ; but the Captain said he would advise no 

 man to trust wholly to it ; for although you may, provided 

 you have plenty of fuel and good coppers, obtain as much 

 water as will support life, you cannot, with all your efforts, 

 obtain sufficient to support health, in hot climates especi- 

 ally, where it is the most wanting. 



Nothing worth mentioning happened till the 13th of July, 

 when they made the island of Fayal, one of the Azores, 

 and soon after that of Pico. At day-break the next morning 

 they bore away for the Bay of Fayal, or de Horta, where 

 at eight o'clock they anchored. 



The sole design in stopping here was to give Mr. Wales 

 an opportunity to find the rate of the watch, the better to 

 enable them to fix, with some degree of certainty, the 

 longitude of these islands. The moment they anchored, 

 the Captain sent an officer to wait on the English Consul, 

 and to notify his arrival, requesting permission for Mr. 

 Wales to make observations on shore. Mr. Dent, who 

 acted as consul, not only procured this permission of the 

 governor, but accommodated Mr. Wales with a convenient 

 place in his garden to set up his instruments ; and, indeed, 

 entertained all the gentlemen on board in the most liberal 

 and hospitable manner. 



During then* stay, the ship's company was served with 

 fresh beef, and they took on board about fifteen tuns of 

 water. 



Fayal, although the most noted for wines, does not raise 

 sufficient for its own consumption. This article is raised 

 on Pico, where there is no road for shipping ; but being 

 brought to De Horta, and from thence shipped abroad, 

 chiefly to America, it has acquired the name of Fayal wine. 



Having left the bay in the morning of the 19th, they 

 steered for the island of Tercera, in order to ascertain its 

 length ; but the weather coming on very thick and hazy, 

 and night approaching, they gave up the design, and 

 proceeded with all expedition for England. 



On the 29th of July, they made the land near Plymouth. 

 The next morning they anchored at Spithead, and the same 

 day Captain Cook landed at Portsmouth, and set out for 



