NOV. 1769 MERCURY BAY 197 



9th. At daybreak this morning a vast number of boats 

 came on board, almost loaded with mackerel of two sorts, 

 one exactly the same as is caught in England. "We concluded 

 that they had caught a large shoal and sold us the surplus, 

 as they set very little value upon them. It was, however, 

 a fortunate circumstance for us, as we soon had more fish 

 on board than all hands could eat in two or three days, 

 and before night so many that every mess who could raise 

 any salt corned as many as will last them this month or 

 more. 



After an early breakfast, the astronomer went on shore 

 to observe the transit of Mercury, which he did without the 

 smallest cloud intervening, a fortunate circumstance, as 

 except yesterday and to-day we have not had a clear day 

 for some time. 



10 tli. This day was employed in an excursion to view a 

 large river at the bottom of a bay. Its mouth proved 

 to be a good harbour, with sufficient water for our ship, 

 but scarcely enough for a larger. The stream was in 

 many places very wide, with large flats of mangroves, which 

 at high water are covered. We went up about a league, 

 where it was still wider than at the mouth, and divided 

 itself into innumerable channels separated by mangrove 

 flats, the whole several miles in breadth. The water was 

 shoal, so we agreed to stop our disquisition here, and go 

 ashore to dine. A tree in the neighbourhood, on which 

 were many shags' nests, and old shags sitting by them, 

 confirmed our resolution. An attack was consequently 

 made on the shags, and about twenty were soon killed, 

 and as soon broiled and eaten ; every one declaring that 

 they were excellent food, as indeed I think they were. 

 Hunger is certainly most excellent sauce ; but since we 

 have no fowls and ducks left, we find ourselves able to eat 

 any kind of bird (for indeed we throw away none) without 

 even that kind of seasoning. Fresh provision to a seaman 

 must always be most acceptable, if he can get over the 

 small prejudices which once affected several in this ship, 

 most or all of whom are now by virtue of good example 



