the Natives in some measure made up for this by bringing several Baskets of dry'd or ready dress'd fish;—altho' it was none of the best I order'd it all to be bought up in order to encourage them to Trade.
Tuesday, 7th.—The first part moderate and fair; the remainder a fresh breeze, northerly, with dirty, hazey, raining Weather. P.M. got on board a Long boat Load of Water, and Caught a dish of fish in the Sean. Found here a great Quantity of Sellery, which is boild every day for the Ship's Company as usual.
Wednesday, 8th.—P.M. fresh breeze at N.N.W. and hazey, rainy weather; the remainder a Gentle breeze at W.S.W. and Clear Weather. A.M. heeld and Scrubb'd both sides of the Ship, and Sent a Party of Men ashore to Cutt wood and fill Water. The Natives brought off to the Ship, and Sold us for Small pieces of Cloth, as much fish as served all hands; they were of the Mackrell kind, and as good as ever was Eat. At Noon I observ'd the Sun's Meridian Zenith distance, by the Astronomical Quadrant, which gave the Lat. 36° 47′ 43″ S.; this was in the River before mentioned, that lies within the S. Entrance of the Bay.
Thursday, 9th.—Variable light breezes and Clear weather. As soon as it was daylight the Natives began to bring off Mackrell, and more than we well know what to do with; notwithstanding I order'd all they brought to be purchased in order to encourage them in this kind of Traffick, At 8, Mr. Green and I went on shore with our Instruments to observe the Transit of Mercury, which came on at 7 h. 20′ 58″ Apparent time, and was observed by Mr. Green only.[1] I, at this time, was taking the Sun's Altitude in order to Ascertain the time. The Egress was observed as follows:—
| By Mr. Green | Internal Contact at 12 h. 8′ 58″ External Contact at 12 h. 9′ 55″ |
Afternoon. | ||
| By myself | Internal Contact at 12 h. 8′ 45″ External Contact at 12 h. 9′ 43″ |
Afternoon. |
Latitude observed at noon 36° 48′ 28″, the mean of this and Yesterday's observation gives 36° 48′ 5½″ S.; the Latitude of the Place of Observation, and the Variation of the Compass was at this time found to be 11° 9′ E. While we were making these observations 5 Canoes came alongside the Ship, 2 Large and 3 Small ones, in one were 47 People, but in the other not so many. They were wholy strangers to us, and to all appearance they came with a Hostile intention, being compleatly Arm'd with Pikes, Darts,
- ↑ Mr. Green satirically remarks in his Log, "Unfortunately for the seamen, their look-out was on the wrong side of the sun." This probably refers to Mr. Hicks, who was also observing. It rather seems, however, as if Cook, on this occasion, was caught napping by an earlier appearance of the planet than was expected.
