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Chap. I.

I Was born in Holderness, a district of Yorkshire, near the Borough of Heyden; of which my Father was page 2a freeman. He was a man of great probity and industry in business, and had acquired a competent fortune by farming. A considerable farm of Squire Constable's, and a smaller of his own inheritance, were occupied by him. His family was large; consisting of four sons, and three daughters: of all of us he was equally fond, and spared no money on our education, according to his notions of things. I was the third of his sons in order of birth, and we were all taught to read English by our Mother, who was a very pious worthy woman. My Father also sometimes heard us say our lessons, and instilled early into our minds, the love of honesty and truth. These repeated instructions of his, made a deep impression on mine; to so great a degree, that I have always scrupulously adhered to truth, even in the most indifferent matters.

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When I was eight years old, my Father sent my brother James (who was a year older) and me, to Pocklington grammar-school, which was then in considerable reputation in that country. I soon became a kind of favourite, both of the Master and the Usher's, from my good behaviour; not that I wanted sprightliness, or was not sometimes caught in unlucky tricks, like others of my age, but they were generally overlooked, as they never found me deviating from truth. But what greatly contributed also to it was, that I had a great facility in learning languages, and consequently was, what is called, a good scholar. This talent has been of great advantage to me in my travels.

I was taken from school at fifteen years old, having gone through that part of my education with some ap-page 4plause; and my Father desired me to consider maturely, what way of life would be most agreeable to my inclinations; as he was resolved to indulge his children in every thing which would not tend to their own detriment.

Having been born within a few miles of Hull, a considerable, sea-port; and by that means having frequent opportunities of seeing ships of all kinds; as well as of hearing of the different countries to which they traded; I conceived an early partiality for that way of life, which was strengthened and confirmed by reading books of Voyages and Travels, whenever I could meet with them. When I made this known to my Father, he did not oppose it; but as boys often conceive very false and inadequate notions of things, he resolved to send me a short voyage by way of trial, before my destination page 5was absolutely fixed. A ship was going from Hull to the whale fishery; and, at my desire, that voyage was fixed on. And as there remained five or six months to be disposed of before she would sail, I was sent to that town to learn Mathematicks, Navigation, the French language, Dancing, and Drawing. Having a good ear and being fond of music, I also made some proficiency on the German Flute. My voyage to Greenland was very far from putting me out of conceit with a sea-life, and my Father had some thoughts of binding me apprentice to a Master of a ship of his acquaintance at Hull. But some of his friends represented to him, that having such a friend in the Navy as the worthy member for Heyden, Sir Charles Saunders, it would be a pity to stint the boy's genius, who probably might page 6make a figure in the King's service, and become an Admiral himself in time. This pleased my little ambition too much, not to press my Father to consent; who, unwilling to baulk me in what was no way blameable, wrote to Sir Charles concerning it; desiring, if he approved of the scheme, to favour him with his interest in placing me properly. He received an answer in ten days, desiring I might be immediately sent to London, as he approved of my going into his Majesty's service. When I waited on him, he asked me a great many questions, with a design I suppose to try my genius; and seemed pleased with my answers. It being at that time a profound peace in the western parts of Europe, few ships of war were in commission, and it required good interest to procure a birth. But he very soon in-page 7formed me, that Captain Narbury, of the frigate Mermaid, had promised him to admit me on his quarter-deck, and desired me to wait on him, with his compliments, and acquaint him that I was the young man he had mentioned. The Captain received me very graciously, and said, the Mermaid would sail in a month to Newfoundland, and therefore the sooner I went on board her at Portsmouth, the better. I made all dispatch possible with my little equipment for the voyage, and after having waited on Sir Charles to return him thanks, set out for Portsmouth.

I continued two years on board this ship; every summer we went to Newfoundland, under the command of a Commodore, and returned by the end of November; but as nothing particular happened worth mentioning, I page 8shall pass over these two voyages, taking notice only that I was very civilly treated by the Captain and the inferior officers.

When I returned the second time, I had letters from home, acquainting me with the melancholy news of the death of my dear Mother, whom I very sincerely lamented, as she justly deserved. Though I was very happy on board the Mermaid, there was no variety in our, voyages, and Sir Charles, when he knew my wish to change into another ship, very soon indulged me. I was rated midshipman on board the Fox, Captain Fortescue, going up the Mediterranean. Here I had an opportunity of seeing Marseilles, Barcelona, Genoa, Leghorn, and Naples. I continued on board her, till we came home in Autumn 1771. When we lay in Portsmouth harbour, I heard a vast deal page 9of Captain Cooke's voyage round the world in the Endeavour bark, accompanied by Messrs. Banks and Solander. The wonderful relations Which were made concerning it, and the report of two ships fitting out to proceed in the Spring under the same commander on further discoveries, occasioned in me an eager desire to make one of the adventurers. I got leave in the winter for a month to see my friends; and when at home, could not be easy in my mind till I mentioned it to my Father, and asked his leave to apply to Sir Charles to get me a birth in one of them. I found him very averse to so long and unusual a voyage, but finding me so much bent on it, he at last reluctantly complied. Had my dear Mother been alive, I believe she never would have been prevailed on to give her consent.

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Sir Charles Saunders, when applied to, entered warmly into the affair, applauding my spirit; for none knew better than he, the dangers and fatigues of such a voyage. Through his interest I was again rated Midshipman on board the Adventure, Captain Furneaux, and was made infinitely happy; little foreseeing the many distresses and hardships which were in store for me.

Of this voyage I shall give but a very short abstract, and that only during the time I was on board the Adventure; leaving the reader to receive further information, from the well wrote and candid relation of it, given to the Public by Captain Cooke.

The Resolution and Adventure sailed from Plymouth Sound on the 13th of July 1772, and anchored in Funchiale road in the island of Madeira page 11the 29th. Here we took on board a sufficient quantity of wine; and left it August 1st. Not having water enough to carry us to the Cape of Good Hope, Captain Cooke thought proper to put into Port Praya in the island of St. Jago on the 10th; where we stayed till the 14th; and, on the 30th of October, came to an anchor in Table Bay.

Here we took in bread, spirits, and other necessaries; and sailed from the Cape of Good Hope the 22d of November, in search of a southern continent. We now stood to high southern latitudes, where nothing was to be seen but islands of ice, and sea birds; the former, however, or rather the loose ice, supplied us with excellent fresh water, after the external part had drained off. In this manner, and as far south as the ice would give us page 12leave, did we surround one half of the southern hemisphere without seeing any continent. We separated from the Resolution in a gale of wind, on February 9th, 1773, and got into Queen Charlotte's Sound in New Zealand April the 10th, where the Resolution joined us May 18th. Both ships had been 117 days without seeing land, and had sailed 3660 leagues. Winter now beginning, we sailed from New Zealand June 7th, and arrived at Otaheite August 16th; where we were in great danger of running upon a reef of rocks, and the Advenventure lost three anchors irrecoverably, the Resolution being more fortunate.

At this, and the neighbouring islands, we continued till September 17th, getting all the fresh provisions we possibly could, wooding and wa-page 13tering. During this time Captain Furneaux took on board a native of Ulietea called Omai. From Ulietea we steered to the Friendly Islands, and arrived at that of Amsterdam October 3d. On the 7th, sailed toward New Zealand, and on the 30th, were again separated from the Resolution in a gale of wind. We were not able to fetch Queen Charlotte's Sound, but were obliged to anchor, November the 9th, in Tolaga Bay; and on the 30th, got at last into Charlotte Sound in New Zealand. There Captain Furneaux found, by a letter Captain Cooke had left for him, in a corked bottle hid under ground, with directions to dig for it, that the Resolution had been there, and sailed on the 24th. We immediately set about getting the ship ready for sea; and by the 17th of December she was so.

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That day Captain Furneaux sent Mr. Rowe and Mr. Woodhouse, Midshipmen, with eight of his best hands, on shore, in the large cutter, to gather wild greens, such as cellery and scurvy-grass, to carry to sea with us. I being a keen sportsman, begged leave to go with them, to try if I could meet with any game; which being granted, I took a fusee with me, and sufficient ammunition, both ball and small shot; with some baubles to trade with the natives, if I met with any. I know not by what mistake Captain Furneaux, in his letter to Captain Cooke, which he left for him at the Cape, makes no mention of my being in the cutter. It proved, however, a happy one; for tho' my family have been in the greatest anxiety about my fate, they had no apprehensions of my being devoured by creatures of my own species.

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The cutter first went to East Bay; but what was wanted not being in plenty there, we proceeded to Grass Cove, where there was abundance. While the men were employed in gathering them, I walked into the woods, to try if I could meet with any game; not having the least suspicion of an attack from the natives. My sport happened to carry me farther from our men than I intended; and I was greatly alarmed with the report of some musket shot from that quarter. I immediately ran full speed to their assistance; but before I got half-way, the firing ceased; and a horrid scream was set up which could only come from the savages; and seemed not of distress, but victory. This stopped my career, and made self-preservation appear a ne-page 16cessary duty. I therefore proceeded with caution towards the place; resolving, if possible, to keep myself unseen, by the covert of the woods, while I explored the scene of action. But, good God! what a horrid spectacle appeared! all our men lying dead on the place, and surrounded by some hundreds of savages, of both sexes and of all ages. I was at first tempted to fire among them; but considering that by so doing I should put them on searching for me, and it would be impossible to escape, I restrained my resentment; but continued sometime longer in my lurking-place, to observe their actions. But how shall I relate the horrid feast which was prepared for that multitude? the fire was kindled, and the mangled limbs of my poor countrymen and shipmates, were put on it to broil for page 17 their unnatural repast; nay even some parts I saw devoured. I could stand it no longer, horror seized me! my whole frame was in the most dreadful tremour! and scarcely able to support me in withdrawing into the woods: I staggered about without knowing what did, or meant to do; excepting only the getting at a distance from those vile cannibals.

By degrees as I effected that, my strength and spirits gradually recovered themselves; but still in great agitation of mind, I pressed forward with all my speed, listening to the least noise made by the wind among the trees; and often looking back to see if I was not pursued.

When I had got four or five miles from the fatal place, I began to consider how my getting back to the Ad-page 18venture was to be effected. Having come from her by water, I had given little attention to the course of the country; and the hurry of spirits I had been in, together with the thickness of the woods, made me utterly at a loss which way to direct my steps.

After reflecting for some time on what course I was to take, while I rested myself a little; the necessity of making an attempt to find her out, determined me to take the line of direction (for road or path there was none) which seemed most probable to lead me to Charlotte Sound. This I did with less hurry and more composure than before; but with a very heavy heart; considering the danger I run from the savages, the uncertainty of finding the ship, and the want of necessary subsistence in that dreary desart. Having pursued page 19this resolution for some hours, and greatly fatigued, night came on; which called my attention, how it was to be passed in greatest safety from savage beasts (if any there were), or still more savage men. My deliberation was of short continuances; a tree presented itself to my view with thick spreading branches, which promised at least to preserve me from the former. I climbed up into it, and seated myself as commodiously as the nature of the place would admit; but such a dreary melancholy night, sure no mortal ever passed. The shocking scene was always present to my imagination; nor could I help reflecting on myself for the foolish ardour I had conceived for making this voyage; which was in some measure contrary to my Father's inclinations. These and similar reflections hindered me page 20from closing my eyes the whole night; and when day appeared, it brought me but small comfort. The necessity of my situation, however, roused me to new exertions for finding out the Adventure; and, by putting my confidence in an all-seeing Providence, my resolution was wonderfully supported.

My hunger this day became very craving; and tho' there were birds flying about in great numbers, I was afraid the report of my gun, or the lighting of a fire might discover me. I therefore contented myself with nuts, berries, wild celery, and fern roots, which I found in the woods; venturing rather to run the risk of their being unwholesome, than to incur the other more imminent danger. I had yesterday charged my piece with ball, and kept con-page 21stantly on my guard, but was resolved not to fire but on the utmost necessity of self-defence; and happily during this whole day, tho' I saw some savages roaming about (probably in search of game), yet I was not observed by them.

Notwithstanding the unevenness of the ground, the thick underwood I had often to force my way through, and slender diet; by my computation I must that day have travelled seventeen or eighteen miles; and perhaps was not nearer the ship, than when I set out. Thus greatly fatigued, and very disconsolate, I again took up my lodgings for the night on a tree; but passed it more agreeably than the preceding one. For kind sleep came to my relief, and for a time lulled my cares; but even that was not without alloy, for the same idea which, a-page 22wake, affected me so much, was presented to me in my dreams. Much refreshed, I proceeded the third day on the same (as I feared) fruitless pursuit as before, keeping the line of direction I had hitherto followed, no reason appearing to me for altering it. My success that morning in procuring nourishment being very bad, about noon my hunger became intolerable; and to such a degree violent, that it even got the better of my fear of the savages. I was besides tempted with the fight of birds flying round me, without being alarmed at the human form; and was on the brink of a pure running stream to allay my thirst. I could resist no longer, but drawing the ball, charged with small shot, and let drive amongst them; three fell dead on page 23the ground, which were a kind of wood pigeons. My piece was immediately charged again with ball; and then I kindled a fire with some dry leaves and bits of sticks; my birds were soon pulled, gutted and broiled. It was happy for me that I had loaded again, for scarcely had I voraciously devoured two of them, when I perceived two of the natives coming fiercely upon me with spears in their hands (being led to seek me out by the report of the gun, or the fight of the fire). I own that horror seized me at the sight of them, and scarcely doubting of sharing the fate of my ship-mates, I got presently on my legs, and cocked my piece; my courage recovered itself somewhat, and I stood ready to receive them. When they got within twenty yards of me I fired, and brought one of page 24them to the ground; had the other rushed in upon me before I could charge, I was undone; but he immediately fled, which eased me of my fears. I also quitted the place in no small trepidation from the narrow escape I had made. When I had got to some distance from the place, and had in a great measure recovered myself; the necessity into which I had been brought of killing a human creature, gave me a good deal of concern. But when I considered that by all laws, human and divine, self-defence is allowed of; my mind was perfectly at ease on that score This train of thought led me to consider, the wide difference there is, in the manners and ways of thinking of different human beings. In nothing more remarkable than what I had beheld these savages guilty of, the page 25devouring their own species; which all civilized nations hold in the utmost detestation; and even believe it an innate principle in our natures. I then concluded with myself, as that was not one, there was no such thing; but education and habit was all in all; and had I been born in that part of New Zealand, I most certainly should have been a cannibal. This served, in some measure, to soften, my resentment against these poor savages, tho' I was firmly resolved to keep out of their hands.

Having neither seen nor heard any fierce animals, but only such timid ones as a species of deer, hares and foxes; I ventured to lie this night on a dry spot of ground, well covered with withered grass, which I pulled and made a bed of, under page 26a tree; which was quite luxury to what I had been used to.

To give a minute and uninteresting journal of my peregrinations, and subsistence in the woods, in search of the Adventure, would be full of repetitions, and tiresome to the reader: I shall only therefore say in general, that after several times changing my course, at last, on the 23d of December, I found myself on the side of Charlotte Sound, where she lay; which I knew by certain marks; but to my great mortification, found her there no longer. I got up on the highest ground near the sea, to look out for her; and saw her under sail about a league off; she having only sailed that morning, as the wind was fair and a fresh breeze; so that if I had come page 27but an hour sooner, I should have got on board. My fear of the savages did not now prevent my firing, and hanging out my handkerchief, fastened to the end of a long stick, by way of signal to the people on board the Adventure; but they had not observed it, as they kept on their way, and were soon at a great distance.

The hope of being able to join the Adventure, had hitherto supported my spirits; but when I saw her irretrievably gone, my heart sunk into the most abject despondency. I sat motionless as a statue, eyeing her as she went from me, and death seemed, then, the most desirable event that could befall me. While in this situation of mind and body, I was alarmed with the hollowing of the natives at some dis-page 28tance from me. I started up in a manner mechanically, to view where-abouts they were, and how I should make my escape from them; for though death would have been desirable, the being eat by men shocked my nature, and I could not bear the thoughts of it. Fortunately they were not very near, and I had sufficient time to make my escape from them, on the contrary direction to that from whence their voices came. Some philosophical reader will perhaps cry out here; What was it to you, what became of your body after your death, whether it was eat by worms or savages? I grant it; but when a strong impression is made on the imagination, a man cannot think philosophically. And I question whether ever a philosopher of them all, in my situation, would not page 29have endeavoured to preserve his earthly part from the jaws of the cannibals.

But to return to my travels. This alarm roused me from my languid despondency; and I resolved, With the assistance of a good providence, to struggle against all difficulties with fortitude; leaving the event to the all-disposing will of the creator and preserver of all mankind.

As I had now no farther business in that part of the country, and knew from charts, that New Zealand (as it is called by the Europeans) is a great extent of country, divided into islands, lying contiguous to each other, and separated by narrow seas; I therefore resolved to explore some other part of it, where perhaps men of more humanity might be found, page 30than those I so much feared and detested. I therefore turned my face westward, and marched on with a good deal of spirit, but with great caution. The husbanding my amunition became now a matter of great concern, as I had not a great deal, and no possibility of a supply, but by what would make it unnecessary. I resolved therefore never to fire, but upon an absolute necessity, either in self-defence, or when subsistence could not otherwise be procured; and when I did, not to waste my shot on small birds, but always fire at large ones, deer or hares, that would subsist me several days.

As. I had got near the sea, it appeared most eligible to keep hold of the coast; but still a little way within the skirts of the woods. Five or page 31six days passed, without any thing happening Which was material; at the end of that time, the coast turned a little to the left hand, as if it was going to form a Bay; and in three days more, I could see land on the other side, but at a great distance. As I proceeded on, the land still appeared nearer; until at last it seemed not to be above four or five leagues over, at the place I then was, but widened again farther on. I concluded that to be therefore the narrowest part of that channel.

As mortals know the present danger and disagreeableness of their situations, but what will happen by a change is wisely kept from them, they are always ready to grasp at any opportunity of freeing themselves, from the burdens with whose page 32weight they are oppressed. This was my case, I looked on the opposite shore with desiring eyes, and hoped that if I could be conveyed thither, more hospitable people might be met with, whose friendly intercourse would make my life pass more agreeably; for the solitary state I was in was become almost insupportable.

The great inclination I had, to find some means of passing that strait, kept me near it; and set me on contriving how it might be effected; but as I had no better instruments than a knife and hanger to cut down trees, or fashion them afterwards into a raft or canoe, the thing appeared impossible, or would at least be the labour of months. And how that could be carried on for so long a time, without being discovered, was not easy to conceive.

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I met here with a delicacy, of which I had been always very fond; it was very fine oysters; there happened to be a bed of them near the shore, to which I had frequent recourse. One day, as I was going to visit my hoard, as I thought it, a canoe with one of the natives in it, struck my eye-sight, and greatly surprised me. My caution had become so habitual, that I drew back, mechanically, out of his sight, and then considered seriously, on what was to be done. Providence seemed to have provided this canoe for my escape, as there was almost a certainty of shooting the owner, by my taking aim coolly from a rest. The morality however of this action did not seem quite blameless, notwithstanding my unfortunate situation; mur-page 34der and robbery appeared to me great crimes; and probably too, of a man who had no concern in the destruction of my countrymen. I rejected the idea, without being much tempted to do otherwise; resolving only to watch his motions, and observe to what place he carried it. He loaded it with oysters, and afterwards paddled it two or three miles along the coast, where several women met him; he then unloaded the canoe, and they carried the oysters away in baskets, very handsomely made. When that was done, he paddled it back again, and hid it in a small creek, not far from the oyster bank; which was very thick of under-wood, and departed. Though I scrupled shooting the savage, and robbing him of his canoe; the borrowing of it to cross page 35the strait, did not, in my circumstances, appear so inexcusable; as it was possible he might recover it again, some time or other. The danger, however, of going four or five leagues, in so poor a vessel, deserved to be maturely weighed; especially as the waves might be very much agitated, in so broad a channel, if it should happen to blow any wind. This was soon over-ruled, the danger of being drowned, and made a feast for fishes, had little horror in it, when opposed to the risk I every day was exposed to. As the continuance of my voyage might be long, considering I had no sail; it was necessary to provide sea-stores: for which half a deer was dressed; and, together with fern roots and plenty of oysters, made up my stock. My page 36greatest difficulty was about fresh water, having no vessel to hold any. This difficulty seemed insurmountable; but as I was resolved on the attempt, some shift must be made: no other occurred, after long thinking on the subject, but to fill my hat as full as it could hold; taking care to drink plentifully before I set out, that a longer time might elapse before my precious element was begun upon.

Thus victualled, I set out one fine morning on my voyage, when the wind was moderate, and with an ebb tide. Paddling, was what I had not been accustomed to, and therefore was awkward at; but a willing mind goes a great way in learning to paddle, as well as in every thing else. While the ebb conti-page 37nued, the water was smooth, and I made my way through it pretty fast; but about noon when it began to flow, there was a considerable agitation, and topling, owing to the narrowness of the channel; which made my labour much more difficult and fatiguing. I strained every nerve however to get on, though apparently much slower than before. Luckily for me, it proved a fine night; part of which was passed in resting myself, and taking some refreshment. In the morning I found myself half-way over; but the much desired country, had a very unpromising appearance; exhibiting bleak mountains covered over with heath, excepting near the shore, and scarcely a tree to be seen.

I now observed, that since the mid channel was passed, the flood carried page 38me towards the shore, and the ebb on the contrary from it. To save my labour then, I rested myself during the former, and paddled stoutly during the latter, to prevent my losing the ground I had got. In the afternoon, it became squally with rain; the last was very agreeable, though it wet me to the skin, as it recruited my stock of water; but the squalls of wind put me often in great danger of oversetting. Though I had got within half a league of the shore, when night came on, surely never was one passed more disagreeably. It was extremely dark, and the wind increased to a storm; so that I expected every moment to be overset, or dashed against the rocks. Towards morning it abated, and when day appeared, I found myself within page 39half a mile of a sandy beach: my whole force was exerted to reach it, and with success; for which I fell on my knees, and returned thanks to the all-powerful maker and governour of the world.