104 CAPTAIN COOK 



tion, left the little house which he would see 

 again when it pleased God. 



By July 3rd the Resolution and the Adventure 

 were anchored off Plymouth, where Cook re- 

 ceived his official instructions. These ordered 

 him "to sail round the world in the highest 

 southern latitudes, entering every corner of the 

 Pacific Ocean which he had not yet examined, in 

 order finally and definitely to settle the question 

 so often raised of the existence of a southern 

 continent, and to explore all parts of the south- 

 ern hemisphere to which his brave and prudent 

 efforts should afford him access." 



On July 13th the Resolution and the Adven- 

 ture set out in company for the unknown. 



