 Book 1 Chapter 8 of A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World, Volume 1 by James Cook. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by David Cole. Chapter 8. Transactions in Queen Charlotte Sound, with some remarks on the inhabitants, 1773 May. Recording that scurvy grass, celery, and other vegetables were to be found in this sound, I went to myself the morning after my arrival at daybreak to look for some, and returned on board at breakfast with a boatload. Being now satisfied that enough was to be got for the cruise of both ships, I gave orders that they should be boiled with wheat and portable broth every morning for breakfast. And with peas and broth for dinner, knowing from experience that these vegetables, thus dressed, are extremely beneficial in removing all manner of scorbatic complaints. I have already mentioned the desire I had of visiting Van Diemen's land in order to inform myself if it made a part of New Holland, and I certainly should have done this had the winds proved favourable. And as Captain Ferneau had now, in a great measure, cleared up that point, I could have no business there, and therefore came to a resolution to continue our researches to the east, between the latitudes of forty-one degrees and forty-six degrees. I acquainted Captain Ferneau there with, and ordered him to get his ship in readiness to put to sea as soon as possible. In the morning of the twentieth I sent ashore to the watering-place near the adventures-tent, the only you and Ram remaining, of those which I brought from the Cape of Good Hope, with an intent to leave them in this country. Soon after I visited the several gardens Captain Ferneau had caused to be made and planted with various articles, all of which were in a flourishing state, and if attended to by the natives, may prove of great utility to them. The next day I set some men to work to make a garden on Long Island, which I planted with garden seeds, roots, etc. On the twenty-second in the morning the you and Ram I had with so much care and trouble brought to this place, were both found dead, occasioned, as was supposed, by eating some poisonous plant. Thus my hopes of stocking this country with a breed of sheep were blasted in a moment. About noon we revisited, for the first time since I arrived, by some of the natives who dined with us, and it was not a little they devoured. In the evening they were dismissed with presence. Early in the morning of the twenty-fourth I sent Mr. Gilbert the Master to sound about the rock we had discovered in the entrance of the sound. Myself, accompanied by Captain Furno and Mr. Forster, went in a boat to the west bay on a shooting-party. In our way we met a large canoe in which were fourteen or fifteen people. One of the first questions they asked was for Topia, the person I brought from Otehiti on my form of voyage, and they seemed to express some concern when we told them he was dead. The people made the same inquiry of Captain Furno when he first arrived, and on my return to the ship in the evening I was told that a canoe had been alongside, the people in which seemed to be strangers, and who also inquired for Topia. Late in the evening Mr. Gilbert returned, having sounded all round the rock which he found to be very small and steep. Nothing worthy of notice happened till the twenty-ninth, when several of the natives made us a visit and brought with them a quantity of fish which they exchanged for nails, etc. One of these people I took over to Motuara and showed him some potatoes planted there by Mr. Fannan, master of the adventure. There seemed to be no doubt of their succeeding, and the man was so well pleased with them that he, of his own accord, began to hoe the earth up about the plants. We next took him to the other gardens and showed him the turnips, carrots, and parsnips. Roots which, together with the potatoes, will be of more real use to them than all the other articles we had planted. It was easy to give them an idea of these roots by comparing them with such as they knew. Two or three families of these people now took up their abode near us, employing themselves daily in fishing and supplying us for the fruits of their labour. The good effects of which we soon felt. For we were, by no means, such expert fishers as they are, nor were any of our methods of fishing equal to theirs. 1773 June On the second of June, the ships being nearly ready to put to sea, I sent on shore on the east side of the sound two goats, male and female. The former was something more than a year old, but the latter was much older. She had two fine kids some time before we arrived, in Dusky Bay, which were killed by cold, as has been already mentioned. Captain Ferneau also put on shore in Cannibal Cove, a boar and two breeding sours, so that we have reason to hope this country will in time be stocked with these animals, if they are not destroyed by the natives before they become wild. Or afterwards they will be in no danger. But as the natives know nothing of their being left behind, it may be some time before they are discovered. In our excursion to the east we met with the largest seal I had ever seen. It was swimming on the surface of the water, and suffered us to come near enough to fire at it, but without effect, for, after a chase of near an hour, we were obliged to leave it. By the size of this animal it probably was a sea lioness. It certainly bore much resemblance to the drawing in Lord Anson's voyage. Our seeing a sea lion, when we entered this sound in my former voyage, increased the parborability, and I am of opinion. They have their abode on some of the rocks, which lie in the strait or off Admiralty Bay. On the third I sent a boat for the carpenter over to the east side of the sound, to cut down some spas which we were in want of. As she was returning she was chased by a large double canoe full of people, but with what intent is not known. Early the next morning some of our friends brought us a large supply of fish. One of them agreed to go away with us, but afterwards that is, when it came to the point he changed his mind, as did some others who had promised to go with the adventure. It was even said that some of them offered their children to sail. I, however, found that this was a mistake. The report first took its rise on board the adventure, where they were utter strangers to their language and customs. It was very common for these people to bring their children with them and present them to us in expectation that we would make them presents. This happened to me the preceding morning. A man brought his son, a boy about nine or ten years of age, and presented him to me. As the report of selling their children was then current I thought at first that he wanted me to buy the boy, but at last I found that he wanted me to give him a white shirt, which I accordingly did. The boy was so fond of his new dress that he went all over the ship, presenting himself before everyone that came in his way. This freedom used by him offended old Will, the ram-goat, who gave him a butt with his horns and knocked him backward on the deck. Will would have repeated his blow had not some of the people come to the boy's assistance. The misfortune, however, seemed to him irreparable. The shirt was dirtied, and he was afraid to appear in the cabin before his father, until brought in by Mr. Forster, when he told a very lamentable story against Gowrie the great dog. For so they called all the quadrupeds we had aboard. Nor could he be reconciled till his shirt was washed and dried. This story, though extremely trifling in itself, will show how liable we are to mistake these people's meaning, and to ascribe to them customs they never knew even in thought. About nine o'clock a large double canoe, in which for twenty or thirty people appeared in sight. Our friends on board seemed much alarmed, telling us that these were their enemies. Two of them, the one with a spear and the other with a stone hatchet in his hand, mounted the arm-chest on the poop, and there, in a kind of bravado, bid those enemies defiance, while the others who were on board, took to their canoe and went ashore, probably to secure the women and children. All I could do I could not prevail on the two that remained to call these strangers alongside. On the contrary they were displeased at my doing it, and wanted me to fire upon them. The people in the canoe seemed to pay very little regard to those on board, but kept advancing slowly towards the ship, and after performing the usual ceremonies put alongside. After this the chief was easily prevailed upon to come on board, followed by many others, and peace was immediately established on all sides. Indeed it did not appear to me that these people had any intention to make war upon their brethren. At least if they had, they were sensible enough to know that this was neither the time nor place for them to commit hostilities. One of the first questions these strangers asked was for Tapir, and when I told them he was dead, wanted to express their sorrow by a kind of lamentation, which to me appeared more formal than real. A trade soon commenced between our people and them. It was not possible to hinder the former from selling the clothes from off their backs for the merest trifles, things that were neither useful nor curious. This caused me to dismiss the strangers sooner than I would have done. When they departed they went to Matuara, where, by the help of our glasses, we discovered four or five canoes and several people on the shore. This induced me to go over in my boat, accompanied by Mr. Forster and one of the officers. We were well received by the chief and the whole tribe, which consisted of between ninety and a hundred persons, men and women and children, having with them six canoes and all their utensils, which made it probable that they would come to reside in this sound. But this is only conjecture, for it is very common for them, when they go but a little way, to carry their whole property with them. Every place being alike if it affords them the necessary subsistence, so that it can hardly be said that they are ever from home. Thus we may easily account for the emigration of those few families we found in Dusky Bay. Living thus dispersed in small parties, knowing no head but the chief of the family or tribe, whose authority may be very little, they feel many inconveniences to which well-regulated societies, united under one head or any other form of government, are not subject. These form laws and regulations for their general good. They are not alarmed at the appearance of every stranger, and, if attacked or invaded by a public enemy, have strung holes to retire to, where they can, with advantage, defend themselves, their property in their country. This seems to be the state of most of the inhabitants of A. A. Hai, Nam Ao Wei, whereas those of Tavae Po Namu, by living a wandering life in small parties, are destitute of most of these advantages, which subjects them to perpetual alarms. We generally found them upon their guard, travelling and working, as it were with their arms in their hands. When the women are not exempted from bearing arms, as appeared by the first interview I had with the family in Dusky Bay, where each of the two women was armed with a spear, not less than eighteen feet in length, I was led into these reflections by not being able to recollect the face of any one person I had seen here three years ago, nor did it once appear that any one of them had the least knowledge of me, or of any person with me, that was here at that time. It was therefore highly probable that the greatest part of the people which inhabited this sound, in the beginning of the year 1770, have been since driven out of it, or have, of their own accord, removed somewhere else. Certain it is, that not one-third of the inhabitants we hear now, that were then. Their stronghold on the point of Matuara has been long deserted, and we found many forsaken habitations in all parts of the sound. We are not, however, wholly to infer from this, that this place has been once very populous, for each family may, for their own convenience, when they move from place to place, have more huts than one or two. It may be asked if these people had never seen the endeavor, nor any of their crew, how could they become acquainted with the name of Tapia, or have in their possession, which many of them had, such articles, as they could only have got from that ship. To this it may be answered that the name of Tapia was so popular among them, when the endeavor was here, that it would be no wonder if, at this time, it was known over great part of New Zealand, and as familiar to those who never saw him, as to those who did. Had ships of any other nation, whatever, arrived here, they would have equally inquired of them for Tapia. By the same way of reasoning, many of the articles left here by the endeavor, may be now in possession of those who never saw her. I got from one of the people now present an ear ornament, made of glass very well-formed and polished, the glass they must have got from the endeavor. After passing about an hour on Matuara with these people, and having distributed among them some presents, and showed to the chief the gardens we have made, I returned on board, and spent the remainder of our Royal Master's birthday in festivity, having the company of Captain Ferneau and all his officers. Double allowance enabled the seaman to share in the general joy. Both ships, being now ready for sea, I gave Captain Ferneau an account in writing of the route I intended to take, which was to proceed to the east between the latitudes of forty-one and forty-six degrees south, until I arrived in the longitude of one forty or one thirty-five degrees west. Then provided no land was discovered to proceed to Otahiti, from thence back to this place by the shortest route, and after taking in wooden water to proceed to the south, and explore all the unknown parts of the sea between the meridian of New Zealand and Cape Horn. Therefore, in case of separation before we reached Otahiti, I pointed that island for the place of rendezvous, where he was to wait till the twentieth of August. If not joined by me before that time, he was then to make the best of his way back to Queen Charlotte Sound, where he was to wait till the twentieth of November. After which, if not joined by me, he was to put to sea and cut it into execution their lordship's instructions. Some may think it an extraordinary step in me to proceed on discoveries as far south as forty-six degrees of latitude in the very depth of winter. But though it must be owned, that winter is by no means favourable for discoveries, it nevertheless appeared to me necessary that something should be done in it, in order to lessen the work I was upon. Lest I should not be able to finish the discovery of the southern part of the South Pacific Ocean the ensuing summer. Besides, if I should discover any land in my route to the east, I should be ready to begin with the summer to explore it. Setting aside all these considerations I had little to fear. Having two good ships well provided and healthy crews. Where then could I spend my time better? If I did nothing more, I was at least in hopes of being able to point out to posterity that these seas may be navigated and that it is practicable to go on discoveries even in the very depth of winter. During our stay in the sound I had observed that this second visit made to this country had not mended the morals of the natives of either six. I had always looked upon the females of New Zealand to be more chaste than the generality of Indian women. Whatever favours a few of them might have granted to the people in the endeavour, it was generally done in a private manner, and the men did not seem to interest themselves much in it. But now I was told they were the chief promoters of a shameful traffic and that for a spiked nail or any other thing of value they would oblige the women to prostitute themselves, whether they would or know, and even without any regard to that privacy which decency required. During our stay here Mr. Wales lost no opportunity to observe equal altitudes of the sun for obtaining the rates of the watches. The result of his labours proved that Mr. Kendall's was gaining nine seconds five per day and Mr. Arnold's losing ninety-four seconds fifteen per day on mean time. End of Book 1, Chapter 8, Recording by David Cole, Medway, Massachusetts. Book 1, Chapter 9, of A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World, Volume 1 by James Cook. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by David Cole, Chapter 9, Root from New Zealand to Ota Hiti, with an account of some low islands, supposed to be the same that was seen by Monsiota Bougainville. 1773, June. On the seventh of June at four in the morning the wind being more favourable we unmoored, and at seven weighed and put to sea with the adventure in company. We had no sooner got out of the sound than we found the wind at south, so that we had to ply through the straits. About noon the tide of ebbs setting out in our favour made our boards advantageous, so that at five o'clock in the evening, Cape Palliser, on the island of E. A. High, Nom Awe, bore south-south-east to half-south, and Cape Coamaru, or the south-east point of the island, north by west three-quarter west, presently after it fell calm, and the tide of flood now making against us carried us at a great rate back to the north. A little before high water the calm was succeeded by a breeze from the north, which soon increased to a brisk gale. This together with the ebb carried us by eight o'clock the next morning quite through the strait. Cape Palliser at this time bore east-north-east, and at noon north by west, distant seven leagues. This day at noon, when we attended the winding up of the watches, the fusy of Mr. Arnold's would not go round, so that after several unsuccessful trials we were obliged to let it go down. After getting clear of the straits I directed my course south-east by east, having a gentle gale, but variable between the north and west. The late south-east winds having caused a swell from the same quarter, which did not go down for some days, we had little hopes of meeting with land in that direction. We however continued to see it to the south-east, and on the eleventh across the meridian of one hundred and eighty degrees, we got into the west longitude, according to my way of reckoning. On the sixteenth at seven in the morning the wind having veered round to south-east. We tacked and stretched to north-east, being at this time in the latitude of forty-seven degrees seven minutes, longitude one seventy-three degrees west. In this situation we had a great swell from north-east. The wind continued at south-east and south-south-east, too fresh at intervals, and was attended with sometimes fair and at other times rainy weather till the twentieth, on which day being in the latitude of forty-four degrees thirty minutes, longitude one sixty-five degrees forty-five minutes west. The wind shifted to the west, blew a gentle gale, and was attended with fair weather. With this we steered east by north, east by south, and east, till the twenty-third at noon, when being in the latitude of forty-four degrees thirty-eight minutes south, longitude one sixty-one degrees twenty-seven minutes west. We had a few hours' calm. The calm was succeeded by a wind at east, with which we stood to the north. The wind increased and blew in squalls, attended with rain, which at last brought us under our courses, and at two o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, we were obliged to lie to under the foresail, having a very hard gale from east-north-east and a great sea from the same direction. At seven o'clock in the morning of the twenty-fifth the gale be more moderate. We made sail under the courses, and in the afternoon set the top sails close-reefed. At midnight the wind having veered more to the north. We tacked and stretched to the south-east, being at this time in the latitude of forty-two degrees fifty-three minutes south, longitude one sixty-three degrees twenty minutes west. We continued to stretch to the south-east, with a fresh gale and fair weather, till four o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, when we stood again to the north-east till midnight, between the twenty-seventh and twenty-eight. Then we had a few hours' calm, which were succeeded by faint breezes from the west. At this time we were in the latitude of forty-two degrees thirty-two minutes, longitude one sixty-one degrees fifty minutes west. The wind remained not long at west, before it veered back to the east by the north, and kept between the south-east and north-east, but never blew strong. 1773 July On July 2nd, being in the latitude of fifty-three degrees thirty-three minutes, longitude one fifty-six degrees seventy- minutes west, we had again a calm, which brought the wind back to the west, but it was of no longer continuance than before. For the next day it returned to the east and south-east, blew fresh at times and by squalls with rain. On the seventh, being in the latitude of forty-one degrees twenty-two minutes, longitude one fifty-six degrees twelve minutes west, we had two hours' calm. In which time Mr. Whales went on board the adventure to compare the watches, and they were found to agree, allowing for the difference of their rates of going, a probable, if not a certain, proof that they had gone well since we had been in this sea. The calm was succeeded by a wind from the south, between which point in the north-west it continued for the six succeeding days, but never blew strong. It was, however, attended with a great hollow swell from the south-west and west, a sure indication that no large land was near in those directions. We now steered east, inclining to the south and on the tenth, in the latitude of forty-three degrees thirty-nine minutes, longitude one forty-four degrees forty-three minutes west. The variation was found by several azimuths, to be more than three degrees east, but the next morning it was found to be four degrees five minutes thirty seconds, and in the afternoon five degrees fifty-six minutes east. The same day at noon we were in the latitude of forty-three degrees forty-four minutes, longitude one forty-one degrees fifty-six minutes west. At nine o'clock in the morning of the twelfth the longitude was observed as follows Viz, self. Set, one thirty-nine degrees forty-seven minutes fifteen seconds. Ditto, second set, one forty degrees seven minutes thirty seconds. Mr. Whales, first set, one forty-one degrees twenty-two minutes fifteen seconds. Mr. Whales, second set, one forty degrees ten minutes zero seconds. Mr. Clerk, one forty degrees fifty-six minutes forty-five seconds. Mr. Gilbert, one forty degrees two minutes zero seconds. Meeyan, one forty degrees twenty-four minutes seventeen and a half seconds west. This differed from my reckoning only two degrees and a half. The next morning in the latitude of forty-three degrees three minutes, longitude one thirty-nine degrees twenty minutes west. We had several lunar observations, which were constant to those made the day before, allowing for the ship's run in the time. In the afternoon we had for a few hours, variable light airs next to a calm, after which we got a wind from the north-east, blowing fresh and in squalls, a tent with dark gloomy weather and some rain. We stretched the south-east till five o'clock in the afternoon on the fourteenth, at which time being in the latitude of forty-three degrees fifteen minutes, longitude one thirty-seven degrees thirty-nine minutes west. We tacked and stood to the north under our courses, having a very hard gale with heavy squalls attended with rain, till near noon the next day when it ended in a calm. At this time we were in the latitude of forty-two degrees thirty-nine minutes, longitude one thirty-seven degrees fifty-eight minutes west. In the evening the calm was succeeded by a breeze from south-west, which soon after increased to a fresh gale, and fixing it south-south-west with it we steered north-east or half-east, in the latitude of forty-one degrees twenty-five minutes, longitude one thirty-five degrees fifty-eight minutes west. We saw floating in the sea a billet of wood, which seemed to be covered with barnacles, so that there was no judging how long it might have been there, or from whence or how far it had come. We continued to steer north-east or half-east, before a very strong gale which blew in squalls, attended with showers of rain and hail, and a very high sea from the same quarter till noon on the seventeenth. Being then in the latitude of thirty-nine degrees forty-four minutes, longitude one thirty-three degrees thirty-two minutes west, which was a degree and a half further east than I intended to run. Really in the middle between my track to the north in seventeen sixty-nine, and the return to the south in the same year. And seeing no signs of land I steered north-easterly, with a view of exploring that part of the sea lying between the two tracks just mentioned, down as low as the latitude of twenty-seven degrees, a space that had not been visited by any preceding navigator that I knew of. On the nineteenth, being in the latitude of thirty-six degrees thirty-four minutes, longitude one thirty-three degrees seven minutes west. We steered north or half-west, having still the advantage of a hard gale at south, which the next day veered to southeast and east, blew hardened by squalls, attended with rain and thick hazy weather. This continued till the evening of the twenty-first, when the gale abated the weather cleared up, and the wind back to the south and southeast. We were now in the latitude of thirty-two degrees thirty minutes, longitude one thirty-three degrees forty minutes west. From this situation we steered north-north-west, till noon the next day, when we steered a point more to the west, being at this time in the latitude of thirty-one degrees six minutes, longitude one thirty-four degrees twelve minutes west. The weather was now so warm that it was necessary to put on lighter clothes. The mercury in the thermometer at noon rose to sixty-three. It had never been lower than forty-six and seldom higher than fifty-four, at the same time as the day, since we left New Zealand. The day was remarkable by our not seeing a single bird. Not one had passed since we left the land, without seeing some of the following birds' fizz, albatrosses, seawaters, pentados, blue petrels, and port egg-mont hens. But these frequent every part of the southern ocean in the higher latitudes. Not a bird nor any other thing was seen that could induce us to think that we might have ever been in the neighbourhood of any land. The wind kept veering round from the south by the west to north-north-west, with which we stretched north till noon until the next day, when, being in the latitude of twenty-nine degrees twenty-two minutes, we tacked and stretched to the westward. The wind soon increased to a very hard gale attended with rain, and blew in such heavy squalls as to split the most of our sails. This weather continued till the morning of the twenty-fifths, when the wind became more moderate and veered to north-west and west-north-west, with which we steered and stretched to north-east, being at that time in the latitude of twenty-nine degrees fifty-one minutes, longitude one-thirty degrees twenty-eight minutes west. In the afternoon the sky cleared up, and the weather became fair and settled. We now met the first tropic bird we had seen in this sea. On the twenty-sixth in the afternoon, being in the latitude of twenty-eight degrees forty-four minutes, we had several observations of the sun and moon, which gave the longitude one-thirty-five degrees thirty minutes west. My reckoning at the same time was one-thirty-five degrees twenty-seven minutes, and I had no occasion to correct it since I left the land. We continued to stretch to the north with light breezes from the westward till noon the next day. When we were stopped by a calm, our latitude at this time being twenty-seven degrees fifty-three minutes, longitude one-thirty-five degrees seventy minutes west. In the evening the calm was succeeded by a breeze from the north and northwest, with which we applied to the north. On the twenty-ninth I sent on board the adventure to inquire into the state of her crew, having heard that they were sickly, and this I now found was but too true. Her cook was dead, and about twenty of her best men were down in the scurvy in flux. At this time we had only three men on the sick list, and only one of them attacked with the scurvy. Several more, however, began to show symptoms of it, and were accordingly put upon the wort, marmalade of carrots, rub of lemons, and oranges. I know not how to account for the scurvy raging more in the one ship than the other, unless it was owing to the crew of the adventure being more scobotic when they arrived in New Zealand than we were, and to their eating few or no vegetables while they lay in Queen Charlotte's sound, partly for want of knowing the right sorts, and partly because it was a new diet which alone was sufficient for semen to reject it. To introduce any new article of food among semen, let it be ever so much for their good, requires both the example and authority of a commander, without both, of which it will be dropped before the people are sensible of the benefit resulting from it. Were it necessary, I could name fifty instances in support of this remark. Many of my people, officers as well as semen, at first disliked celery, scurvy grass, etc., being boiled in the peas and wheat, and some refused to eat it. But as this had no effect upon my conduct, this obstinate kind of prejudice by little and little wore off. They began to like it as well as the others, and now I believe there was hardly a man in the ship that did not attribute our being so free from the scurvy to the beer and vegetables we made use of in New Zealand. After this I seldom found it necessary to order any of my people to gather vegetables, whenever we came where there were any to be got, and if scarce, happy was he who could lay hold on them first. I appointed one of my semen to be cook of the adventure, and wrote to Kevapt in Fernau, desiring him to make use of every method in his power to stop the spreading of the disease amongst his people, and proposing such as I thought might tend towards it. But I afterwards found all this unnecessary, as every method had been used they could think of. 1773, August The wind continued in the north-west quarter and blew fresh at times attended with rain, with which we stood to the north-east. On the first of August at noon we were in the latitude of twenty-five degrees one minute, longitude one thirty-four degrees six minutes west, and had a great hollow swell from north-west. The situation we were now in was nearly the same as Captain Catterett, a science for Pitcairn's island, discovered by him in 1767. We therefore looked well out for it, but saw nothing. According to the longitude in which he has placed it, we must have passed about fifteen leagues to the west of it. But as this was uncertain I did not think it prudent, including the situation of the adventurous people, to lose any time in looking for it. A sight of it would, however, have been of use in verifying or correcting not only the longitude of this isle, but of the others that Captain Catterett discovered in this neighborhood. His longitude not being confirmed, I think, by astronomical observations, and therefore liable to errors, which she could have no method to correct. Since we had now got to the northward of Captain Catterett's tracks, all hopes of discovering a continent vanished. Islands were all we were to expect to find, until returned again to the south. I had now, that is, on this and my former voyage, crossed this ocean in the latitude of forty degrees and upwards, without meeting anything that in the least induced me to think I should find what I was in search after. On the contrary, everything conspired to make me believe there is no southern continent between the Meridian of America and New Zealand. At least this passage did not produce any indubitable signs of any, as will appear by the following remarks. After leaving the coast of New Zealand, we daily saw floating on the sea rockweed, for the space of eighteen degrees of longitude. In my passage to New Zealand in 1769, we also saw this weed, for the space of twelve or fourteen degrees of longitude before we made the land. The weed is undoubtedly the produce of New Zealand, because the nearer the coast, the greater the quantity you see. At the greatest distance from the coast, we saw it only in small pieces, generally more rotten and covered with barnacles, an indubitable sign that it had been long at sea. Were it not for this, one might be led to conjecture that some other large land lay in the neighbourhood, for it cannot be a small extent of coast to produce such a quantity of weed, as to cover so large a space of sea. It hath been already mentioned that we were now sooner clear up the straits than we met with a large hollow swell from the southeast, which continued till we arrived in the longitude of one seventy-seven degrees west, and latitude forty-six degrees. There we had large bellows from the north and northeast for five days successively, and until we got five degrees of longitude more to the east, although the wind, great part of the time, blew from different directions. This was a strong indication that there was no land between us and my track to the west in seventeen sixty-nine. After this we had, as is usual in all great oceans, large bellows from every direction in which the wind blew a fresh gale, but more especially from the southwest. These bellows never ceased with a cause that first put them in motion, a short indication that we were not near any large land, and that there is no continent to the south unless in a very high latitude. But this was too important a point to be left to opinions and conjectures. Facts were to determine it, and these could only be obtained by visiting the southern parts, which was to be the work of the ensuing summer, agreeable to the plan I had laid down. As the winds continued to blow from the northwest and west, we had no other choice but to stand to the north, inclining more or less every day to the east. In the latitude of twenty-one degrees we saw flying fish, gannets, and egg-birds. On the sixth I hoisted a boat out and sent for Captain Furno to dinner, from whom I learnt that his people were much better. The flux having left them and the scurvy was at a stand. Some cider which he happened to have and which he gave to the Scobotic people contributed not a little to this happy change. The weather today was cloudy and the wind very unsettled. This seemed to announce the approach of the so much wished for trade wind, which at eight o'clock in the evening after two hours calm, and some heavy showers of rain we actually got to southeast. We were, at this time, in the latitude of nineteen degrees thirty-six minutes south, longitude one thirty-one degrees thirty-two minutes west. The knot meeting with the southeast trade wind sooner is no new thing in this sea. As we had now got it, I directed my course to the west-northwest, as well to keep in the strength of it as to get to the north of the islands discovered in my former voyage, that if any other islands lay in the way I might have a chance to discover them. During the daytime we made all the sail we could, but in the night either run an easy sail or lay two. We daily saw flying fish, albacore, dolphins, etc., but neither by striking nor with hook and line could we catch any of them. This required some art which none of my people were masters of. On the eleventh daybreak land was seen to the south. This upon a nearer approach was found to be an island of about two leagues in extent, in the direction of north-west and southeast and closed with wood, above which the coconut trees showed their lofty heads. I judged it to be one of those isles discovered by Mr. Bougainville. It lies in the latitude of seventy degrees twenty-four minutes, longitude one forty-one degrees thirty-nine minutes west, and I called it after the name of the ship, an island. The sickly state of the adventurous crew made it necessary for me to make the best of my way to Art-Hiti, where I was sure of finding refreshments. Consequently I did not wait to examine this island, which a player too small to supply our wants, but continued our course to the west, and at six o'clock in the evening land was seen from the mast-head bearing west by south. Finally this was another of Bougainville's discoveries. I named it Doubtful Island, and it lies in the latitude of seventeen degrees twenty minutes, longitude one forty-one degrees thirty-eight minutes west. I was sorry I could not spare time to haul to the north of Mr. Bougainville's track, but the getting to a place where we could procure refreshments was more an object at this time than discovery. During the night we steered west by north in order to pass the north of the island above mentioned. At daybreak the next morning we discovered land right ahead distant about two miles, so that daylight advised us of our danger but just in time. This proved another of these low or half-drowned islands, or rather a large coral shoal of about twenty leagues in circuit. A very small part of it was land, which consisted of little islets ranged along the north side, and connected by sand banks and breakers. These islets were closed with wood, among which the coconut trees were only distinguishable. We arranged the south side of this isle or shoal at a distance of one or two miles from the coral bank, against which the sea broke in a dreadful surf. In the middle is a large lake or inland sea, in which was a canoe under sail. This island, which I named after Captain Fernau, lies in the latitude of seventeen degrees five minutes, longitude one forty-three degrees sixty minutes west. The situation is nearly the same that is a sign for one of those discovered by Bougainville. I must here observe that amongst these low and half-drowned isles, which are numerous in this part of the ocean, Mr. Bougainville's discoveries cannot be known to that degree of accuracy, which is necessary to distinguish them from others. We were obliged to have recourse to his chart for the latitudes and longitudes of the islands he discovered, as neither the one nor the other is mentioned in his narrative. Without waiting to examine this island, we continued to steer to the west, all sail set till six o'clock in the evening, when we shortened sail to three topsoils, and at nine brought two. The next morning at four a.m. we made sail, and at daybreak saw another of these low islands situated in the latitude of seventeen degrees four minutes, longitude one forty-four degrees thirty minutes west, which obtained the name of Adventure Island. Montseur de Bougainville very properly caused this cluster of low overflowed islands, the dangerous Archipelago. The smoothness of the sea sufficiently convinced us that we were surrounded by them, and how necessary it was to proceed with the utmost caution, especially in the night. At five o'clock p.m. we again saw land bedding south-west by south, which we afterwards found to be Chain Island, discovered in my former voyage. But as I was not sure of it at this time, and being desirous of avoiding the delay, which lying by in the night occasioned, I hoisted out the cutter, and manned her with an officer and seven men, with orders to keep as far ahead of the ships, with a light at her mast-head, as a signal could be distinguished, which she was to make in case she met with any danger. In this manner we continued to run all night, and at six o'clock the next morning I called her on board and hoisted her in, for it did not appear she would be wanted again for this purpose, as we now had a large swell from the south. A sure sign we were clear of the low islands. Therefore I steered for Otahiti, without being apprehensive of meeting with any danger. End of Book 1, Chapter 9, Recording by David Cole, Medway, Massachusetts. Book 1, Chapter 10 of A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World, Volume 1 by James Cook. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by David Cole. Chapter 10. Arrival of the ships at Otahiti, with an account of the critical situation they were in, and of several incidents that happened, while they lay in Oati Pihah Bay, 1773 August. On the fifteenth at five o'clock in the morning we saw Osnaburg Island, or Maitea, discovered by Captain Wallace, burying south by west to half-west. Soon after I brought to, and waited for the adventure to come up with us, to acquaint Captain Ferneau, that it was my intention to put into Oati Pihah Bay, near the southeast end Otahiti, in order to get what refreshments we could from that part of the island, before we went down to Metavia. This done we made sail, and at six in the evening saw the land burying west. We continued to stand on till midnight, when we brought to, till four o'clock in the morning, and then made sail for the land with a fine breeze at east. At daybreak we found ourselves not more than half a league from the reef. The breeze now began to fail us, and at last fell to a calm. This made it necessary to hoist out our boat to tow the ships off, but all their efforts were not sufficient to keep them from being carried near the reef. A number of the inhabitants came off in canoes from different parts, bringing with them a little fish, a few coconuts, and other fruits, which they exchanged for nails, beads, etc. The most of them knew me again, and many inquired for Mr. Banks and others, who were with me before, but not one as for Tupia. As the calm continued our situation became still more dangerous. We were, however, not without hopes of getting around the western point of the reef and into the bay, till about two o'clock in the afternoon, when we came before an opening or break in the reef, through which I hoped to get with the ships. But on sending to examine it I found there was not a sufficient depth of water, though it caused such an in-draft of the tide flood through it, as was very near proving fatal to the resolution, for as soon as the ships got into the stream they were carried with great impetuosity towards the reef. The moment I perceived this I ordered one of the warping machines, which we had in redness, to be carried out with about four hundred fathoms of rope, but it had not the least effect. The horrors of shipwreck now stared us in the face. We were not more than two cables' length from the breakers, and yet we could find no bottom to anchor. The only probable means we had left to save the ships. We however dropped an anchor, but before it took hold and brought us up, the ship was in less than three further water, and struck in every fall of the sea, which broke close under our stem in a dreadful surf, at threatened us every moment with shipwreck. The adventure, very luckily, brought up close upon our bow, without striking. We presently carried out two keg anchors with horses to each. These found ground a little without the bower, but in what depth we never knew. By heaving upon them, and cutting away the bower anchor, we got the ship afloat, where we lay some time in the greatest anxiety. Expecting every minute that either the kegges would come home, or the horses be cut in two by the rocks. At length the tide ceased to act in the same direction. I ordered all the boats to try to tow off the resolution, and when I saw this was practicable we hove up the two kegges. At that moment a light air came off from the land, which so much assisted the boats that we soon got clear of all danger. Then I ordered all the boats to assist the adventure, but before they reached her she was under sail with the land breeze, and soon after joined us, leaving behind her three anchors, her coasting cable, and two horses, which were never recovered. Thus we were once more safe at sea, after narrowly escaping being wrecked on the very island we but a few days before so ardently wished to be at. The calm after bringing us into this dangerous situation very fortunately continued, for had the sea breeze, as is usual, set in, the resolution must inevitably have been lost, and probably the adventure too. During the time we were in this critical situation a number of the natives were on board and about the ships. They seemed to be insensible of our danger, showing not the least surprise joy or fear, when we were striking, and left us a little before sunset, quite unconcerned. We spent the night, which proved squally and rainy, making short boards, and the next morning being the seventeenth, we anchored inoa atihi piha bay, in twelve fathoms water, about two cables length from the shore, both ships being by this time crowded with a great number of the natives, who brought with them coconuts, plantains, bananas, apples, yams, and other roots, which they exchanged for nails and beads. To several who call themselves chiefs I bade presence of shirts, axes, and several other articles, and in return they promised to bring me hogs and fowls, a promise they never did, nor ever intended to perform. In the afternoon I landed in company with Captain Ferneau, in order to view the watering-place and to sound the disposition of the natives. I also sent a boat to get in some water for present use, having scarcely any left on board. We found this article as convenient as could be expected, and the natives to behave with great civility. Early in the morning I sent the two launches and the resolutions cut her, under the command of Mr. Gilbert, to endeavour to recover the anchors we had left behind us. They returned about noon, with the resolutions bower anchor, but could not recover any of the adventures. The natives came off again with fruit as the day before, but in no great quantity. I also had a party on shore trading under the protection of a guard. Nothing however was brought to market but fruit and roots, though many hogs were seen, I was told, about the houses of the natives. The cry was that they belonged to Wahitun, the Iredihi, or King, and him we had not yet seen, nor I believe, any other chief of note. Many however, who called themselves irees, came on board, partly with a view of getting presents, and partly to pilfer whatever came in their way. One of this sort of irees I had most of the day in the cabin, and made presents to him and all his friends, which were not few. At length he was caught taking things which did not belong to him, and handing them out of the quarter gallery. Many complaints of a light nature were made to me against those on deck, which occasioned my turning them all out of the ship. My cabin guest made good haste to be gone. I was so much exasperated at his behaviour that after he had gone some distance from the ship I fired two muskets over his head, which made him quit the canoe and take to the water. I then sent a boat to take up the canoe, but as she came near the shore the people from thence began to pelt her with stones. Being in some pain for her safety, as she was unarmed, I went myself in another boat to protect her, and ordered a great gun, loaded with ball, to be fired along the coast, which made them all retire from the shore, and I was suffered to bring away two canoes without the least show of opposition. In one of the canoes was a little boy, who was much frightened, but I soon dissipated his fears, by giving him beads and putting him on shore. A few hours later we were all good friends again, and the canoes were returned to the first person who came for them. It was not till the evening of this day that anyone inquired after to peer, and then but two or three. As soon as they learnt the cause of his death they were quite satisfied. Indeed, it did not appear to me, that it would have caused a moments uneasiness in the breast of any one, had his death been occasioned by any other means than by sickness. As little inquiry was made after Ohturu, the man who went away was Monsieur de Bougainville. But they were continually asking for Mr. Banks, and several others who were with me in my form of voyage. These people informed us that two Taha, the regent of the greater peninsula of Otahiti, had been killed in a battle, which was fought between the two kingdoms about five months before, and that Otu was the reigning prince. To Boray Tamayde, and several more of our principal friends Amat Amatavay, fell in this battle as also a great number of common people, but at present a peace subsisted between the two kingdoms. On the nineteenth we had gentle breezes easterly with some smart showers of rain. Early in the morning the boats were again sent to recover the adventures anchors, but returned with the same ill success as the day before. So that we ceased to look for them any longer, thinking ourselves very happy in having come off so well, considering the situation we had been in. In an excursion which Captain Furneau and I made along the coast, we met with the chief who entertained us with excellent fish, fruit, etc. In return for his hospitality I made him a present of an ax and other things, and he afterwards accompanied us back to the ships, where he made but a short stay. Nothing worthy of note happened on the twentieth till the dusk of the evening when one of the natives made off with a musket belonging to the guard on shore. I was present when this happened, and sent some of our people after him, which would have been to little purpose had not some of the natives of their own accord pursued the thief. They knocked him down, took from him the musket, and brought it to us. Fear on this occasion certainly operated more with them than principle. They deserved, however, to be applauded for this act of justice, for if they had not given their immediate assistance it would hardly have been in my power to have recovered the musket by any gentle means whatever, and by making use of any other I was sure to lose more than ten times its value. The twenty-first the wind was at north of fresh breeze. This morning a chief made me a visit, and presented me with a quantity of fruit, among which were a number of coconuts we had drawn the water from, and afterwards thrown overboard. These he had picked up and tied in bundles so artfully that we did not at first perceive the cheat. Then he was told of it, without betraying the least emotion, and as if he knew nothing of the matter he opened two or three of them himself, signified to us that he was satisfied it was so, and then went to shore and sent off a quantity of plantains and bananas. Having got on board as a ploy of water, fruit and roots, I determined to sail in the morning to Matavai. As I found it was not likely that I should get an interview with Wahitua, without which it was very improbable we should get any hogs. Two of the natives who knew my intention slept on board, with a view of going with us to Matavai, but in the morning the wind blew fresh at north-west, and as we could not sail I sent the trading-party on shore as usual. In the evening I was informed that Wahitua was come into the neighborhood and wanted to see me. In consequence of this information I determined to wait one day longer in order to have an interview with his prince. Accordingly early the next morning I set out in company with Captain Fernot, Mr. Forster, and several of the natives. We met the chief about a mile from the landing-place, towards which he was advancing to meet us, but as soon as he saw us he stopped, with his numerous train in the open air. I found him seated upon a stool, with a circle of people round him, and knew him at first sight and he me, having seen each other several times in 1769. At that time he was but a boy and went by the name of Tiari, but upon the death of his father, Wahitun, he took upon him that name. After the first salutation was over, having seated me on the same stool with himself, and of the other gentleman on the ground by us, he began to inquire after several by-name who were with me on my former voyage. He next inquired how long I would stay, and when I told him no longer the next day he seemed sorry, asked me to stay some months, and at last came down to five days, promising that in that time I should have hugs in plenty. But as I had been here already a week, without so much as getting one, I could not put any faith in this promise, and yet I believe, if I had stayed, we should have feared much better than at Matavai. The present I made him consisted of a shirt, a sheet, a broadaxe, night-nails, knives, looking-glasses, medals, beads, etc. In return he ordered a pretty good hug to be carried to our boat. We stayed with him all the morning, during which time he never suffered me to go from his side where I was seated. I was also seated on the same stool, which was carried from place to place by one of his attendants, whom he called Stoolbearer. At length we took leave, in order to return on board to dinner, after which we visited him again, and made him more presence, and he, in return, gave Captain Ferneau and me each of us an hug. Some others were got by exchanges at the trading places, so that we got in for the whole to-day, as much fresh pork as gave the crews of both the ships a meal, and this in consequence of our having had this interview with the Chief. The twenty-fourth early in the morning we put to sea with a light land breeze. Soon after we were out we got the wind at west, which blew in scores, attended with heavy showers of rain. Many canoes accompanied us out to sea, with coconuts and other fruits, and did not leave us till they had disposed of their cargoes. The fruits we got here greatly contributed towards the recovery of the adventurous sick people. Many of them, who had been so ill as not to be able to move without assistance, were, in this short time, so far recovered, that they could walk about of themselves. When we put in here, the resolution had but one scobotic man on board, Annmarien, who had been lung-sick, and who died the second day after our arrival, of a complication of disorders, about the least mixture of the scurvy. I left Lieutenant Pickersgill with the cutter behind the bay to purchase hogs, as several had promised to bring some down today, and I was not willing to lose them. On the twenty-fifth about noon Mr. Pickersgill returned with eight hogs, which he had got at Oatipiha. He spent the night at Ohidea, and was well entertained by Ereti, the chief of that district. It was remarkable that this chief never once asked about Oturu, nor did he take the least notice when Mr. Pickersgill mentioned his name. And yet Monsiode Bougainville tells us this is the very chief who presented Oturu to him, which makes it the more extraordinary that he should neither inquire after him now, nor, when he was with us at Matavai, especially as they believed that we and Monsiode Bougainville came from the same country, that is, from Pratane, for so they called our country. They had not the least knowledge of any other European nation, nor probably will they, unless some of their men should return, who had lately gone from the Isle, of which mention shall be made by and by. We tell several of them that Monsiode Bougainville came from France, a name they could by no means pronounce, nor could they pronounce that of Paris much better, so that it is not likely that they will remember either the one or the other lung, whereas Pratane is in every child's mouth and will hardly ever be forgotten. It was not till the evening of this day that we arrived in Matavai bay. Read of Book 1, Chapter 10, recording by David Cole, Medway, Massachusetts. Book 1, Chapter 11, of A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World, Volume 1, by James Cook. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 11, an account of several visits to and from O2, of goats being left on the island, and many other particulars which happened while the ships lay in Matavai bay, 1773, August. Before we got to an anchor, our decks were crowded with the natives, many of whom I knew, and almost all of them knew me. A great crowd were gotten together upon the shore, amongst whom was O2 their king. I was just going to pay him a visit, when I was told that he was Matawad, and gone to Opari. I could not conceive the reason of his going off in a fright, as everyone seemed pleased to see me. A chief whose name is Mary Tata was at this time on board and advised me to put off my visit till the next morning, when he would accompany me, which I accordingly did. After having given directions to pitch tents for the reception of the sick, Cooper's sale-makers on the guard. I set out on the 26th for Opari, accompanied by Captain Fernot, Mr. Forster and others, Mary Tata and his wife. As soon as we landed we were conducted to O2, whom we found seated on the ground under the shade of a tree, with an immense crowd around him. After the first compliments were over, I presented him with such articles as I guessed were most valuable in his eyes, well knowing that it was my interest to gain the friendship of this man. I also made presents to several of his attendants, and in return they offered me cloth, which I refused to accept, telling them that what I had given was for T.O. friendship. The king inquired for Tapia and all the gentlemen that were with me in my former voyage by name, although I do not remember that he was personally acquainted with any of us. He promised that I should have some hugs the next day, but I had much adieu to obtain a promise from him to visit me on board. He said he was Matau, no toe popui, that is, afraid of the guns. Indeed all his actions showed him to be a timorous prince. He was about thirty years of age, six feet high, and a fine personable, well-made man as one could see. All his subjects appeared uncovered before him, his father not accepted. What he is meant by uncovering is the making bare the head and shoulders, or wearing no sort of clothing above the breast. When I returned from Opari I found the tents and the astronomers' observatories, set up on the same spot where we observed the transit of Venus in 1769. In the afternoon I had the sick landed, twenty from the adventure all ill of the scurvy, and one from the resolution. I also landed some marines for a guard, and left the command to Lieutenant Edgecombe of the marines. On the twenty-seventh early in the morning O2, attended by a numerous train, paid me a visit. He first sent into the ship a large quantity of cloth, fruits, a hog, and two large fish. And after some persuasion came aboard himself with his sister, a younger brother, and several more of his attendants. To all of these I made presents, and after breakfast took the king, his sister, and as many more as I had room for, into my boat, and carried them home to Opari. I had no sooner landed than I was met by a venerable old lady, the mother of the late Tutaha. She seized me by both hands, and burst into a flood of tears, saying, Tutaha, Tio, no Tutte, matitua tata, Tutaha, your friend, or the friend of Cook, is dead. I was so much affected with her behavior, that it would have been impossible for me to have refrained mingling my tears with hers, had not O2 come and taken me from her. I, with some difficulty, prevailed on him to let me see her again, when I gave her an axe and some other things. Captain Ferneau, who was with me, presented the king with two fine goats, male and female, which if taken care of, or rather if no care at all is taken, of them, will no doubt multiply. After a short stay we took leave and returned on board. Very early in the morning on the twenty-eighth I sent Mixter Pickersgill with the cutter, as for her as Atahuru, to procure hogs. A little after sunrise I had another visit from O2, who brought me more cloth of pig and some fruit. His sister, who was with him, and some of the attendants came on board, but he and others went to the adventure with the like present to Captain Ferneau. It was not long before he returned with Captain Ferneau on board the resolution, when I made him a handsome return for the present he had brought me, and dressed his sister out in the best manner I could. She, the king's brother, and one or two more, were covered before him to-day. When O2 came into the cabin, Ereti and some of his friends were sitting there. The moment they saw the king enter, they stripped themselves in great haste, being covered before. Seeing I took notice of it they said, Ereti, Ereti, giving me to understand that it was on account of O2 being present. This was all the respect they paid him, for they never rose from their seats, nor made him any other obeisance. When the king thought proper to depart I carried him again to Opari in my boat, where I entertained him and his people, with the backpipes, of which music they are very fun, and dancing by the seamen. He then ordered some of the people to dance also, which consisted chiefly of contortions. There were some, however, who could imitate the seamen pretty well, both in country dances and hornpipes. While we were here I had a present of cloth from the late two Taha's mother. This good old lady could not look upon me without shedding tears. However, he was far more composed than before. When we took leave the king promised to visit me again the next day, but said that I must first come to him. In the evening Mr. Pickerskill came back empty, but with a promise of having some hogs, if he would return in a few days. Next morning after breakfast I took a trip to Opari to visit Otu as he had requested, accompanied by Captain Ferneau and some of the officers. We made him up a present of such things as he had not seen before. One article was a broadsword, at the sight of which he was so intimidated that I had much to do to persuade him to accept of it, and to have it buckled upon him, where it remained but a short time before he desired leave to take it off, and send it out of his sight. Soon after we were conducted to the theatre, where we were entertained with a dramatic waver or play in which were both dancing and comedy. The performers were five men and one woman, who was no less a person than the king's sister. The music consisted of three drums only. It lasted about an hour and a half or two hours, and up on the hole was well conducted. It was not possible for us to find out the meaning of the play. Some parts seemed adapted to the present time, as my name was frequently mentioned. Other parts were certainly wholly unconnected with us. It apparently differed in nothing, that is, in the manner of etiquette, from those we saw at Ulle Leia in my form of voyage. The dancing dress of the lady was more elegant than any I saw there, by being decorated with long tassels made of feathers hanging from the waist downward. As soon as all was over the king himself desired me to depart, and sent into the boat different kinds of fruit and fish, ready dressed. With this we returned on board, and the next morning he sent me more fruit and several small parcels of fish. Nothing farther remarkable happened till ten o'clock in the evening, when we were alarmed with a cry of murder and a great noise on shore, near the bottom of the bay, at some distance from our encampment. I suspected that it was occasioned by some of our own people, and immediately armed a boat and sent on shore, to know the occasion of this disturbance, and to bring off such of our people as should be found there. I also sent to the adventure and to the post on shore, to know who was missing, for none were absent from the resolution, but those who were upon duty. The boat soon returned with three marines and a seamen. Some others belonging to the adventure were also taken, and being all put under confinement, the next morning I ordered them to be punished according to their desserts. I did not find that any mischief was done, and our people would confess nothing. I believe this disturbance was occasioned by their making too free with the women. Be this as it will, the natives were so much alarmed that they fled from their habitations in the dead of the night, and the alarm spread many miles along the coast. For when we went to visit O2 in the morning by appointment, I found him removed, or rather fled, many miles from the place of his abode. Even there I was obliged to wait some hours before I could see him at all, and when I did he complained of the last night's riot. As this was intended to be my last visit I had taken with me a present suitable to the occasion. Among other things were three cave sheep, which she had seen before and asked for. For these people never lose a thing by not asking for it. He was much pleased with them, though he could be but little benefited, as they were all weathers, a thing he was made acquainted with. The presence he got at this interview entirely removed his fears and opened his heart so much that he sent for three hogs, one for me, one for Captain Fernow, and one for Mr. Forster. This last was small, of which we complained, calling it iti iti. Only after a man came into the circle and spoke to the king with some warmth, and in a very peremptory manner, saying something or other about hogs, we at first thought he was angry with the king for giving us so many, especially as he took the little pig away with him. The country, however, appeared to be the true cause of his displeasure, for presently, after he was gone, a hog, larger than either of the other two, was brought us in lieu of the little one. When we took leave, I acquainted him that I should sail from the island the next day, at which he seemed much moved and embraced me several times. We embarked to return on board, and he, with his numerous train, directed his march back to Opari, 1773 September. The sick being all pretty well recovered, our water casks repaired and water completed, as well as the necessary repairs of the ships, I determined to put to sea without further delay. Accordingly on the 1st of September I ordered everything to be got off from the shore and the ships to be unmoored. On this work we were employed the most of the day. In the afternoon Mr. Pickersgill returned from Atahuru, to which place I had sent him two days before, for the hogs he had been promised. My old friend Patatu, the chief of the district, his wife or mistress, I know not which, and some more of his friends came along with Mr. Pickersgill in order to visit me. They brought me a present of two hogs and some fish, and Mr. Pickersgill got two more hogs by exchange from our amu, for he went into the boat as far as Papara, where he saw old Oberia. She seemed much altered for the worst, poor and of little consequence. The first word she said to Mr. Pickersgill were, Iri Matau in a boa, Iri is frightened, you can have no hogs. By this it appeared that she had little or no property, and was herself subject to the Iri, which I believe is not the case when I was here before. The wind which had blown westerly all day, having shifted at once to the east we put to sea, and I was obliged to dismiss my friends sooner than they wished to go, but well satisfied with the reception they had met with. Some hours before we got on the sail a young man, whose name was Poria, came and desired I would take him with me. I consented, thinking he might be of service to us on some occasion. Many more offered themselves, but I refused to take them. This youth asked me for an axe and a spiked nail for his father, who was then on board. He had them accordingly, and they parted just as we were getting under sail, more like two strangers than father and son. This raised a doubt in me whether it was so, which was father confirmed by a canoe conducted by two men coming alongside as we were standing out in the bay. Demanding the young man in the name of Ohtu, I now saw that the hole was a trick to get something from me, well knowing that Ohtu was not in the neighbourhood, and could know nothing of the matter. Poria seemed, however, at first undetermined whether he should go or stay, but he soon inclined to the former. I told him to return me the axe and nails, and that he should go, and so he really should, but they said they were unsure and so departed. Though the youth seemed pretty well satisfied, he could not refrain from weeping when he viewed the land astern. CHAPTER XII An account of the reception we met with at Wahene, with the incidents that happened while the ships lay there, and of Omae, one of the natives, coming away in the adventure, 1773 September. As soon as we were clear of the bay and our boats in, I directed my course for the island of Wahene, where I intended to touch. We made it the next day and spent the night making short boards under the north end of the island. At daylight in the morning of the third, we made sail for the harbour of Wahare, in which the resolution anchored about nine o'clock in twenty-four fathoms water. As the wind blew out of the harbour, I chose to turn in by the southern channel, it being the widest. The resolution turned in very well, but the adventure, missing stays, got ashore on the north side of the channel. I had the resolution's launch in the water ready, in case of an accident of this kind, and sent her immediately to the adventure. By this time the assistance she was got off again without receiving any damage. Several of the natives by this time had come off to us, bringing with them some of the productions of the island, and as soon as the ships were both in safety, I landed with Captain Ferneau, and was received by the natives for the utmost cordiality. I distributed some presents among them, and they presently after brought down hogs, fowls, dogs, and fruits, which they willingly exchanged for hatchets, nails, beads, etc. The like trade was soon opened on board the ships, so that we had a fair prospect of being plentifully supplied with fresh pork and fowls, and to people in our situation this was no unwelcome thing. I learned that my old friend Ori, chief of the isle, was still living, and that he was hastening to this part to see me. Early next morning Lieutenant Pickersgill sailed with the cutter on a trading-party towards the south end of the isle. I also sent another trading-party on shore near the ships, with which I went myself, to see that it was properly conducted at the first setting out, a very necessary point to be attended to. Everything being settled in my mind I went to accompany by Captain Ferneau and Mr. Forster to pay my first visit to Ori, who I was told was waiting for me. We were conducted to the place by one of the natives, but were not permitted to go out of our boat till he had gone through some part of the following ceremony, usually performed at this isle on such like occasions. The boat in which we were desired to remain being landed before the chief's house, which stood close to the shore, five young plantain trees, which are their emblems of peace, were brought on board separately and with some ceremony. Three young pigs with their ears ornamented with coconut fibres accompanied the first three, and a dog the fourth. Each had his particular name and purpose, while the two mysterious for us to understand. Lastly, the chief sent for me the inscription engraved on a small piece of pewter, which I left with him in July 1769. It was in the same bag I had made for it, together with a piece of counterfeit English coin and a few beads, put in at the same time, which shows how well he had taken care of the whole. When they had made an end of putting into the boat the things just mentioned, our guide, who still remained with us, desired us to decorate the young plantain trees with looking-glasses, nails, medals, beads, et cetera, et cetera. This being accordingly done, we landed with these in our hands and were conducted toward the chief through the multitude. They making a lane as it were for us to pass through. We were made to sit down a few paces shorter the chief, and our plantains were then taken from us, and one by one laid before him, as the others had been laid before us. One was for Itoe, or God. The second for the eerie, or king. And the third for Teo, or friendship. This being done I wanted to go to the king, but was the toll that he would come to me, which he accordingly did, fell upon my neck, and embraced me. This was by no means ceremonious. The tears which trickled plentifully down his venerable old cheeks sufficiently bespoke the language of his heart. The whole ceremony being over, all his friends were introduced to us, to whom we made presents. Mine to the chief consisted of the most valuable articles I had. For I regarded this man as a father. In return he gave me a hog and a quantity of cloth, promising that all our wants should be supplied. And it will soon appear how well he kept his word. At length we took leave and returned on board, and sometime after Mr. Pickersgill returned also with fourteen hogs. Many more were got by exchanges on shore, and alongside the ships, besides fowl and fruit in abundance. The good old chief made me a visit early in the morning on the fifth, together with some of his friends, bringing me a hog and some fruit, for which I made him a suitable return. He carried his kindness so far as not to fail to send me every day for my table, the very best of ready-dressed fruit and roots, and in great plenty. Mr. Pickersgill, being again sent with the two boats in search of hogs, returned in the evening with twenty-eight, and about four times that number were purchased on shore, and alongside the ships. The next morning the trading party, consisting of only two or three people, were sent on shore as usual, and after breakfast I went to the place myself, when I learnt that one of the inhabitants had been very troublesome and insolent. This man being pointed out to me, completely equipped in the war habit, with a club in each hand, as he seemed bent on mischief, I took these from him, broke them before his eyes, and, with some difficulty, forced him to retire from the place. As they told me that he was a chief, this made me the more suspicious of him, and occasioned me to send for a guard, which till now I had thought unnecessary. Not this time Mr. Sparman, having imprudently gone out alone botanizing, was set upon by two men, who stripped him of everything he had about him, except his trousers, and struck him several times with his own hangar, but happily did him no harm. As soon as they had accomplished their end they made off, after which another of the natives brought a piece of cloth to cover him, and conducted him to the trading-place, where there were a great number of the inhabitants. The very instant Mr. Sparman appeared in the condition I have just mentioned, they all fled with the utmost precipitation. I at first conjectured they had stolen something, but we were soon undeceived upon Mr. Sparman's relating the affair to us. As soon as I could recall a few of the natives, and made them sensible that I should take no step to injure those who were innocent, I went to Arie to complain of this outrage, taking with us the man who came back with Mr. Sparman to confirm the complaint. As soon as the chief heard the whole affair related, he wept aloud, as did many others. After the first transports of his grief were over, he began to expostulate with his people, telling them, as far as we could understand, how well I had treated them, both in this and my form of voyage, and how basic it was in them to commit such actions. He then took a very minute account of the things Mr. Sparman had been robbed of, promised to do all in his power to recover them, and, rising up, desired me to follow him to my boat. When the people saw this being, as I supposed, apprehensive of his safety, they used every argument to dissuade him from what they, no doubt, thought a rash step. He hastened into the boat, notwithstanding all that they could do or say. As soon as they saw their beloved chief wholly in my power, they set up a great outcry. The grief they showed was inexpressible. Every face was bejewed with tears. They prayed, entreated, nay, attempted to pull him out of the boat. I even joined my entreaties to theirs, for I could not bear to see them in such distress. All that could be said or done availed nothing. He insisted on my coming into the boat, which was now sooner done, than he ordered it to be put off. His sister, with a spirit equal to that of a royal brother, was the only person who did not oppose his going. As his intention in coming into our boat was to go with us in search of the robbers, we proceeded accordingly as far as was convenient by water, then landed, entered the country, and travelled some miles inland, the chief leading the way, inquiring of everyone he saw. At length he stepped into a house by the roadside, ordered some coconuts for us, and after we were a little refreshed, wanted to proceed still farther. But this I opposed, thinking that we might be carried to the very farthest end of the island, after things the most of which, before they came into our hands again, might not be worth the bringing home. The chief used many arguments to persuade me to proceed, telling me that I might send my boat round to meet us, or that he would get a canoe to bring us home, if I thought it too far to travel. But I was resolved to return, and he was obliged to comply and return with me, when he saw I would follow him no farther. I only desired he would send somebody for the things, for I found that the thieves had got so much start of us, that we might follow them to the remotest parts of the isle, without so much is seeing them. Besides, as I intended to sail the next morning, this occasioned a great loss to us, by putting a stop to all manner of trade, for the natives were so much alarmed that none came near us, but those that were about the chief. It therefore became the more necessary for me to return, to restore things to their former state. When we got back to our boat we there found Ory's sister and several more persons, who had travelled by land to the place. We immediately stepped into the boat in order to return on board. Without so much is asking the chief to accompany us. He, however, insisted on going also, and followed us into the boat in spite of the opposition and entreaties of those about him. His sister followed his example, and the tears and prayers of her daughter, who was about sixteen or eighteen years of age, had no weight with her on this occasion. The chief sat at table with us, and made a hearty dinner. His sister, according to custom, ate nothing. After dinner I sufficiently rewarded them for the confidence they had put in me, and soon after carried them both on shore, where some hundreds of people waited to receive them, many of whom embraced their chief with tears of joy. All was now joy in peace. The people crowded in from every part, with hogs, fowls, and fruit, so that we presently filled two boats. Ory himself presented me with a large hog and a quantity of fruit. The hangar, the only thing of value Mr. Sparman had lost, with part of his coat, were brought us, and we were told we should have the others the next day. Some of the officers who were out on a shooting-party had some things stolen from them, which were returned in like manner. Thus ended the troublesome transactions of this day, which I have been the more particular in relating, because it shows what great confidence this brave old chief put in us. It also in some degree shows that friendship is sacred with them. Ory and I were professed friends in all the form's customary among them, and he seemed to think that this could not be broken by the act of any other persons. Indeed, this seemed to be the great argument he made use of to his people, when they opposed his going into my boat. His words were to this effect, Ory, meaning me, for so I was always called, and I are friends. I have done nothing to forfeit his friendship. Why then should I not go with him? We, however, may never find another chief who will act in the same manner under similar circumstances. It may be asked what had he to fear, to which I answer nothing, for it was not my intention to hurt a hair of his head, or to detain him a moment longer than he desired. But how was he or the people to know this? They were not ignorant, that if he was once in my power the whole force of the island could not take him from me, and that, let my demands for his ransom have been ever so high, they must have complied with them. Thus far their fears, both for hears and their own safety, were founded in reason. On the seventh, early in the morning, while the ships were unmooring, I went to pay my farewell visit to Ory, accompanied by Captain Ferneau and Mr. Forster. We took with us for a present such things as were not only valuable but useful. I also left with him the inscription plate he had before in keeping, and another small copper plate on which were engraved these words, anchored here, his Britannic Majesty's ships Resolution and Adventure, September 1773. Together with some medals, all put up in a bag, of which the chief promised to take care, and to produce to the first ship or ships that should arrive at the island. He then gave me a hog, and after trading for six or eight more, and loading the boat with fruit we took leave, when the good old chief embraced me with tears in his eyes. At this interview nothing was said about the remainder of Mr. Sparman's clothes. I judged they were not brought in, and for that reason did not mention them, lest I should give the chief pain about things I did not give him time to recover, for this was early in the morning. When we returned to the ships we found them crowded round with canoes full of hogs, fowls, and fruit, as at our first arrival. I had not been long on board before Ory himself came to inform me, as we understood, that the robbers were taken, and to desire us to go unsure, either to punish or to see them punished. But this could not be done, as the resolution was just under sale, and the adventure already out of the harbour. The chief stayed on board till we were a full half-league out at sea, then took a most affectionate leave of me, and went away in a canoe, conducted by one man himself, all the others having gone long before. I was sorry that it was not convenient for me to go unsure with him, to see in what manner these people would have been punished, for I am satisfied this was what brought him on board. During our short stay at the small but fertile island of Huahene we procured to both ships not less than three hundred hogs, besides fowls and fruits, and had we stayed longer might have got many more. For none of these articles for refreshment were seemingly diminished, but appeared everywhere in as great abundance as ever. Before we quitted this island Captain Ferneau agreed to receive on board his ship a young man named Omai, a native of Wulitea, where he had some property of which he had been dispossessed by the people of Bola Bola. I at first rather wondered that Captain Ferneau would encumber himself with this man, who in my opinion was not a proper sample of the inhabitants of these happy islands, not having any advantage of birth or acquired rank, nor being eminent in shape, figure or complexion. For their people of the first rank are much fairer and usually better behaved and more intelligent than the middling class of people, among whom Omai is to be ranked. I have, however, since my arrival in England, been convinced of my error. For accepting his complexion, which is undoubtedly of a deeper hue than that of the Eres or Gentry, who, as in other countries, live a more luxurious life and are less exposed to the heat of the sun, I have much doubt whether any other of the natives would have given more general satisfaction by his behaviour among us. Omai has most certainly a very good understanding, quick parts and honest principles. He has a natural good behaviour, which rendered him acceptable to the best company, and a proper degree of pride, which taught him to avoid the society of persons of inferior rank. He has passions of the same kind as other young men, but has judgment enough not to indulge them in any improper excess. I do not imagine that he has any dislike to liquor, and if he had fallen into company, were the person who drank the most met with the most approbation. I have no doubt, but that he would have endeavoured to gain the applause of those with whom he associated. But fortunately for him he perceived that drinking was very little in use but among inferior people, and as he was very watchful into the manners and conduct of the persons of rank who honoured him with their protection, he was sober and modest, and had never heard that during the whole time of his stay in England, which was two years, he ever once was disguised with wine, or even showed an inclination to go beyond the strictest rules of moderation. Then after his arrival in London, the Earl of Sandwich, the first Lord of the Admiralty, introduced him to his Majesty at Q, where he met with the most gracious reception, and imbibed the strongest impression of duty and gratitude to that great enablable Prince, which I am persuaded he will preserve to the latest moment of his life. During his stay among us he was caressed by many of the principal nobility, and did nothing to forfeit the esteem of any one of them, but his principal patrons were the Earl of Sandwich, Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander. The former probably thought he had a duty of his office to protect and countenance an inhabitant of that hospitable country, where the wants and distresses of those in his department had been alleviated and supplied in the most ample manner, the others as a testimony of their gratitude for the generous reception they had met with during their residence in his country. It is to be observed that though O'Mai lived in the midst of amusements during his residence in England, his return to his native country was always in his thoughts, and though he was not impatient to go, he expressed a satisfaction as the time of his return approached. He embarked with me in the resolution when she was fitted out for another voyage, loaded with presents from his several friends, and full of gratitude for the kind reception and treatment he had experienced among us.