Page:Voyage of discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and round the world in the years 1791-95, volume 2.djvu/55

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1792 December. A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY who had greatly profited by his kind folicitudc for their comfort and happinefs'.

Few obje£ls or circumRanccs occurred in the courfe of this excurfion worthy of notice. The furrounding country confifted chiefly of a Tandy heatli, overgrown v.iih a naturally inipad'able thicket of flnubs about four or five feet high, which aflbrded an excellent cover for deer, foxes, hares, rabbits, quails, &c. fome of which we faw in pafling along the roads cut through it.

The late inconcnience experienced by fome of my vifitors, in con- fequcnce of the fliip's motion, became a fui)je6l of our con erlation ; and as this was impolfible to be provided againft, I folicited the honor of my Spanifh friends company at our encampment on fiioie. 'I'his accordingly took place the following da)', when I was gratified with the prefence of mofl of the ladies, as well as the gentlemen, at dinner. A difplay of fire works was exhibited in the evening. Thefe, flill re- maining in excellent prefervation, afforded a very high degree of fatisfac- tion, not only to our vifitors, but their dependants of every defcription ; the whole of whom in the neighbourhood, with a great number of In- dians, were aflfembled on this occafion, and moft probably partook of an entertainment to which mofl; of them were before intire flrangers. The eening was concluded by a dance and fupper, which was not ended un- til a late hour.

The Da:dalus having delivered fuch provifions and (lores as could be taken on board the Difcovery, and Chatham, on wednefday her hold was reilowed, and our carpenters were emj)lo)'ed in fitting up commo- dious flails on board of her, for the reception of live cattle ; Sen'- Qua- dra having, with his accuflomed politcnefs and liberality, offered nic any number of thofe animals, with fuch otlier productions of the country as I might judge to be neceffary, for the fervicc of His Majefly's infant colony in New South Whiles. Twelve cows, witii fix bulls, and the hke number of ewes and iams, were received on board the Da-dalus on the 24th; but the fhip was detained until a futHcient quantity of proven- der for tlieir maint/jnance could be procured. 'I'he country, at this fca- fou affording but a fcanty fuppi)-, furniflK'd employment for aJmofl alJ our