The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. I. Being the First of the First Voyage. — John Shaqi
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. I. Being the First of the First Voyage.Cook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. I. Being the First of the First Voyage.
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
for they found a great variety of plants, which, with respect to the
alpine plants in Europe, are exactly what those plants are with respect
to such as grow in the plain.
The cold was now become more severe, and the snow-blasts more frequent;
the day also was so far spent, that it was found impossible to get back
to the ship before the next morning: to pass the night upon such a
mountain, in such a climate, was not only comfortless, but dreadful; it
was impossible, however, to be avoided, and they were to provide for it
as well as they could.
Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, while they were improving an opportunity
which they had, with so much danger and difficulty, procured, by
gathering the plants which they found upon the mountain, sent Mr. Green
and Mr. Monkhouse back to Mr. Buchan and the people that were with him,
with directions to bring them to a hill, which they thought lay in a
better rout for returning to the wood, and which was therefore appointed
as a general rendezvous. It was proposed, that from this hill they
should push through the swamp, which seemed by the new rout not to be
more than half a mile over, into the shelter of the wood and there build
their wigwam, and make a fire: this, as their way was all down hill, it
seemed easy to accomplish. Their whole company assembled at the
rendezvous, and, though pinched with the cold, were in health and
spirits, Mr. Buchan himself having recovered his strength in a much
greater degree than could have been expected. It was now near eight
o’clock in the evening, but still good daylight, and they set forward
for the nearest valley, Mr. Banks himself undertaking to bring up the
rear, and see that no straggler was left behind: this may, perhaps, be
thought a superfluous caution, but it will soon appear to be otherwise.
Dr. Solander, who had more than once crossed the mountains which divide
Sweden from Norway, well knew that extreme cold, especially when joined
with fatigue, produces a torpor and sleepiness that are almost
irresistible: he therefore conjured the company to keep moving, whatever
pain it might cost them, and whatever relief they might be promised by
an inclination to rest. Whoever sits down, says he, will sleep; and
whoever sleeps, will wake no more. Thus, at once admonished and alarmed,
they set forward; but while they were still upon the naked rock, and
before they had got among the bushes, the cold became suddenly so
intense, as to produce the effects that had been most dreaded. Dr.
Solander himself was the first who found the inclination, against which
he had warned others, irresistible; and insisted upon being suffered to
lie down. Mr. Banks entreated and remonstrated in vain: down he lay upon
the ground, though it was covered with snow; and it was with great
difficulty that his friend kept him from sleeping. Richmond also, one of
the black servants, began to linger, having suffered from the cold in
the same manner as the Doctor. Mr. Banks, therefore, sent five of the
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