Thus it was in the present case." The significance of that passage is that the two friends made for themselves the opportunities by which they won fame and rendered service.
They did not wait on Fortune; they forced her hand.

They showed by what they did on their own initiative, with very limited resources, that they were the right men to be entrusted with work of larger scope.
Nevertheless it is unwarrantable to assume that Governor Hunter discountenanced their earliest efforts.

It was presumably on the passage quoted above that the author of a chapter in the most elaborate modern naval history founded the assertion that "the plans of the young discoverers were discouraged by the authorities.

They, however, had resolution and perseverance.

All official help and countenance were withheld."* (* Sir Clements Markham in The Royal Navy, a History, 4 565.) But Flinders does not say that "the authorities" discouraged the effort.
"Prudence and friendship" did.