This action of the officer exhibited a fresh instance, how little some of the people under Lieutenant Cook had imbibed of the wise, discreet, and humane spirit of their commander.
On the morning of the 26th, the lieutenant went again out in the boat, with Mr.Banks and Dr.Solander, and entered one of the bays, which lie on the east side of the inlet, in order to obtain another sight of the strait which passed between the eastern and western seas.

Having landed, for this purpose, at a convenient place, they climbed a hill of very considerable height, from which they had a full view of the strait, with the land on the opposite shore, which they judged to be about four leagues distant.

As it was hazy in the horizon, they could not see far to the south-east; but Mr.Cook saw enough to determine him to search the passage with the ship as soon as he should put to sea.

The gentlemen found, on the top of the hill, a parcel of loose stones, with which they erected a pyramid, and left in it some musket balls, small shot, beads, and such other things, which they happened to have about them, as were likely to stand the test of time.

These, not being of Indian workmanship, would convince any European, who should come to the place and pull it down, that natives of Europe had been there before.