84 CAPTAIN COOK 



nel seemed the only hope. Cook tried unsuc- 

 cessfully to negotiate it, the backwash prevent- 

 ing him. Fortunately the current which had im- 

 peded the ship's progress had driven her a quar- 

 ter of a mile from the reef. Towed by the boats 

 the Endeavour made about two miles. However, 

 the indraught continued, and Cook feared that 

 it would again carry him on to the rocks, when 

 he made out another opening. He sent his first 

 lieutenant, Hicks, to examine it. Hicks reported 

 that although the channel was dangerous, it was 

 feasible. Cook saw no help for his dangerous 

 position but to try this new passage. The boats 

 and the current drew the ship towards the open- 

 ing, through which she passed, "with alarming 

 speed." 



Once more Cook and his companions enjoyed 

 a miraculous escape from death. 



Having escaped from these dangers. Cook re- 

 approached the coast, and after ten days of 

 perilous navigation, which were, however, un- 

 eventful, Cook had the satisfaction of passing 

 through Torres Strait between Cape York and 

 New Guinea. Before leaving the territory of 

 New Holland, Cook, on August 21st, hoisted the 

 British flag, and, convinced that before him no 

 European had explored the eastern coast of this 

 vast country, took formal possession of it in the 

 name of His Majesty King George HI. He 



