Difficulties experienced in prosecuting the voyage northward. The Endeavour quits the coast, and passes through the barrier reef into the main sea. Imminent danger of driving against the barrier reef; escape through Providential Channel, and return towards the Coast. Completion of the arduous task of exploring the East Coast of New Holland, or New South Wales. Landing on Possession Island. Voyage through Endeavour Straits towards New Guinea. Hostile behaviour of the Inhabitants of New Guinea. Landing at the Island of Savu. Friendly intercourse with the King, and the Dutch Resident. Refreshments procured. Arrival at Batavia. Repairs of the ship. Prevailing sickness of the ship's company. Death of the Surgeon, of Tayeto, Tupia, and four others. Departure from Batavia. Landing at Prince's Island: supplies procured. Dreadful sickness and mortality on the passage to the Cape of Good Hope. Loss of Mr. Sporing, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Green, Mr. Monkhouse, and nineteen others. Arrival at the Cape; and stay there. Departure from the Cape. Death of Mr. Mollineaux. Arrival at St. Helena, and voyage thence to England. Death of Lieutenant Hicks. Arrival at Deal.
After moving slowly to the northward for a week, through a labyrinth of shoals, rocks, and islands, the Commander ascending a high island, to look out for the best passage, perceived an outer reef, stretching along the coast, several leagues from the shore, with some openings through it into the main sea. On this island, which from the lizards seen there was called Lizard Island, he spent the evening of the 11th, with Mr. Banks and others; and next day they touched at another island, which they named Eagle Island, having found there an
