cocoa nut trees for the sake of the fruit; but this proposal he peremptorily rejected, as at once unjust and cruel, since it would have occasioned a sacrifice of life, which the necessity of the case could not warrant. The boat was therefore hoisted in, and they made sail to the westward.
In coasting along New Guinea, and proceeding thence towards Java, Lieut. Cook made various observations on the islands and other objects in his rout, correcting the inaccuracies of the charts heretofore published. After passing Timor, and other islands, he arrived on monday, the 17th, at an island, where none was laid down in the charts; and all on board were agreeably surprised, to see, not only houses, fruit trees, and cultivated fields, but numerous flocks and herds, and some people on horseback, one of them in a complete European dress. Lieut. Gore, and afterwards Dr. Solander, went on shore to procure refreshments; but obtained only a few cocoa nuts, for which some linen was given in return. It was supposed at first, that the island, which was inhabited chiefly by Malays, was a Portuguese settlement; but on getting round into a bay, to which the ship was directed, they found a large Indian town, where Dutch colours were hoisted, and three guns fired. It proved to be the island of Savu. On the 18th, Lieut. Gore waited on the Rajah, or King; and informed him, through a Portuguese interpreter, that the ship was a man of war, belonging to Britain, and had sick on board, for whom refreshments were wanted. The King, whose name was A Madocho Lomi Djara, expressed his readiness to furnish supplies, but stated that he was not at liberty to trade with strangers, without the consent of the Dutch
