Besides, if he should discover any land in his route to the east, he would be ready to begin to explore it, as soon as ever the season should be favourable.

Independently of all these considerations, he had little to fear; having two good ships well provided, and both the crews being healthy.

Where then could he better employ his time?
If he did nothing more, he was at least in hopes of being enabled to point out to posterity, that these seas may be navigated, and that it is practicable to pursue discoveries even in the depth of winter.

Such was the ardour of our navigator for prosecuting the ends of his voyage, in circumstances which would have induced most men to act a more cautious part! During Captain Cook's stay in the sound, he had observed, that the second visit to this country had not mended the morals of the natives of either sex.

He had always looked upon the females of New Zealand as more chaste than the generality of Indian women.