This misfortune was chiefly owing to the coldness of the weather, which now began to be felt in the most sensible manner.
On the 12th, land was seen, which, upon a nearer approach, was found to consist of two islands.

That which lies most to the south, and is the largest, was judged by Captain Cook to be about fifteen leagues in circuit.

The northerly one is about nine leagues in circuit; and the two islands are at the distance of five leagues from each other.

As the ships passed through the channel between them, our voyagers could not discover with the assistance of their best glasses, either tree or shrub on either of them.

They seemed to have a rocky and bold shore, and their surface is for the most part composed of barren mountains, the summits and sides of which were covered with snow.