exploring the South Atlantic ocean. These plans, vast as they were, met the hearty approbation of the gentlemen on board; and even the seamen, who were all in excellent health, having only felt slight colds occasionally since they left New Zealand, were far from being dissatisfied with the prospect of being another year on the voyage, and were now cheered with the hope of enjoying within the tropics the benefits of a milder climate. Such, indeed, were the commanding talents and high character of our hero, that all on board were ready to adopt his plans, and prompt to fulfil his wishes: and they seemed to catch from him something of that spirit of enthusiasm for discovery, which inspired him with conceptions so large, urged him on in his noble career, and made dangers and difficulties to vanish before him.
After encountering some violent storms, our navigator carefully searched for the land said to have been seen by Juan Fernandez; but found nothing in or near the place where it had been laid down. He therefore concluded, that, if any such discovery ever was made, it must be only a very small island.
In proceeding from hence in search of Easter Island, the Captain was taken seriously ill of a bilious cholic, which confined him to his bed for several days. On this occasion, Mr. Patten, the surgeon, not only acted the part of a skilful physician, but of an affectionate nurse. When patients begin to recover their appetite, singular fancies will sometimes seize them; and when the Captain began to be convalescent, he took a fancy to have Mr. Forster's favourite dog killed for him, there being no other fresh meat on board; and he
