Epigraph:
'Christmas Day. 1696.
Came to the Southland...
Walked northwards. Lizards,
Reptiles. A rat-like creature
Hunching its back; droppings
Like loathsome birds eggs.
Spiky bracken. Limestone.
No signs of habitation.
Returned to the ship after
Three days.
The Southland
Hazy in the morning sun.
Set sail.'