CHAPTER Vir 



EASTER ISLAND AND THE MARQUESAS. RETURN 

 TO THE SOCIETY ISLANDS 



While Cook, sailing northwards, searched 

 without success for the reputed land of Juan 

 Fernandez, he suffered from a violent bilious 

 attack, which for a week endangered his life. 

 He struggled against it as long as he could with- 

 out saying anything, continuing his daily duties 

 and concealing the pain he felt. At last, over- 

 come with fever, he took to his bed. 



One day. Patten, the ship's doctor, who per- 

 formed his duties with admirable competence 

 and devotion, despaired of saving his patient. 

 The crew were in a state of consternation. At 

 last, thanks to his strong constitution and the care 

 which he received. Cook recovered from the at- 

 tack. When he was convalescent, soup was made 

 for him from the flesh of John Forster's little 

 dog. There was only salt meat on board, and 

 the doctor had declared that the Captain must 

 have soup made from fresh meat. The dog was 

 the only animal remaining on board, and the nat- 

 uralist, with a generous impulse, sacrificed, in the 



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