It was, at first, his benevolent intention to make an additional present to Van Dieman's Land, of a young bull and cow, together with some sheep and goats.

But, upon reflection, he laid aside this design; being persuaded that the natives would destroy them, from, their incapacity of entering into his views with regard to the improvement of their country.

As pigs are animals which soon become wild, and are fond of the thickest cover of the woods, there was the greater probability of their being preserved.
For the accommodation of the other cattle, an open place must have been chosen; in which situation they could not possibly have been concealed many days.
On the 29th, about twenty of the inhabitants, men and boys, joined Captain Cook and such of his people as had landed with him, without manifesting the least sign of fear or distrust.

It was remarkable, that one of the Indians was conspicuously deformed; nor was he more distinguished by the hump upon his back, than by the drollery of his gestures, and the humour of his speeches, which had the appearance of being intended for the entertainment of our voyagers.

Unfortunately, the language in which he spake to them was wholly unintelligible.