Keragegooah bay, and preparation was immediately made for landing
the Resolution's foremast. We were visited but by few of the Indians,
because there were but few in the bay. On our departure, those
belonging to other parts had repaired to their several habitations,
and were again to collect from various quarters before we could
expect to be surrounded by such multitudes as we had once seen in that
harbour. In the afternoon, I walked about a mile into the country to
visit an Indian friend, who had, a few days before, come near twenty
miles, in a small canoe, to see me, while the ship lay becalmed. As
the canoe had not left us long before a gale of wind came on, I was
alarmed for the consequence; however, I had the pleasure to find that
my friend had escaped unhurt, though not without some difficulties. I
take notice of this short excursion, merely because it afforded me
an opportunity of observing that there appeared no change in the
disposition or behaviour of the inhabitants. I saw nothing that could
induce me to think that they were displeased with our return, or
jealous of the intention of our second visit. On the contrary, that
abundant good-nature, which had always characterised them, seemed
still to glow in every bosom, and to animate every countenance.[2] The
next day, February the 12th, the ships were put under a taboo by the
chiefs; a solemnity, it seems, that was requisite to be observed,
before Kariopoo, the king, paid his first visit to Captain Cook, after
his return. He waited upon him the same day, on board the Resolution,
attended by a large train, some of which bore the presents designed
for Captain Cook; who received him in his usual friendly manner, and
gave him several articles in return. This amicable ceremony being
settled, the taboo was dissolved; matters went on in the usual train;
and the next day, February the 13th, we were visited by the natives in
great numbers. The Resolution's mast was landed, and the astronomical
observatories erected on their former situation. I landed, with
another gentleman, at the town of Kavaroah, where we found a great
number of canoes, just arrived from different parts of the island,
and the Indians busy in erecting temporary huts on the beach for their
residence during the stay of the ships. On our return on board the
Discovery, we learned, that an Indian had been detected in stealing
the armourer's tongs from the forge; for which he received a pretty
severe flogging, and was sent out from the ship. Notwithstanding the
example made of this man, in the afternoon another had the audacity
to snatch the tongs and a chisel from the same place, with which he
jumped overboard, and swam for the shore. The master and a midshipman
were instantly dispatched after him in the small cutter. The Indian,
seeing himself pursued, made for a canoe; his countrymen took him on
board, and paddled as swift as they could towards the shore; we fired
several muskets at them, but to no effect, for they soon got out of
the reach of our shot. Pareah, one of the chiefs, who was at that time
on board the Discovery, understanding what had happened, immediately
went ashore, promising to bring back the stolen goods. Our boat was
so far distanced, in chacing the canoe which had taken the thief on
board, that he had time to make his escape into the country. Captain
Cook, who was then ashore, endeavoured to intercept his landing; but
it seems that he was led out of the way by some of the natives, who
had officiously intruded themselves as guides. As the master was
approaching near the landing-place, he was met by some of the Indians
in a canoe. They had brought back the tongs and chisel, together with
another article that we had not missed, which happened to be the lid
of the water-cask. Having recovered these things, he was returning on
board, when he was met by the Resolution's pinnace, with five men in
her, who, without any orders, had come from the observatories to his
assistance. Being thus unexpectedly reinforced, he thought himself
strong enough to insist upon having the thief, or the canoe which took
him in, delivered up as reprisals. With that view he turned back; and
having found the canoe on the beach, he was preparing to launch it
into the water, when Pareah made his appearance, and insisted upon his
not taking it away, as it was his property. The officer not regarding
him, the chief seized upon him, pinioned his arms behind, and held him
by the hair of his head; on which one of the sailors struck him with
an oar. Pareah instantly quitted the officer, snatched the oar out of
the man's hand, and snapped it in two across his knee. At length
the multitude began to attack our people with stones. They made some
resistance, but were soon overpowered, and obliged to swim for safety
to the small cutter, which lay farther out than the pinnace. The
officers, not being expert swimmers, retreated to a small rock in the
water, where they were closely pursued by the Indians. One man darted
a broken oar at the master, but his foot slipping at the time, he
missed him, which fortunately saved that officer's life. At last,
Pareah interfered, and put an end to their violence. The gentlemen,
knowing that his presence was their only defence against the fury of
the natives, entreated him to stay with them till they could get off
in the boats; but that he refused, and left them. The master went
to seek assistance from the party at the observatories; but the
midshipman chose to remain in the pinnace. He was very rudely treated
by the mob, who plundered the boat of every thing that was loose on
board, and then began to knock her to pieces for the sake of the
iron work; but Pareah fortunately returned in time to prevent
her destruction. He had met the other gentleman on his way to the
observatories, and, suspecting his errand, had forced him to return.
He dispersed the crowd again, and desired the gentlemen to return on
board. They represented that all their oars had been taken out of the
boat; on which he brought some of them back, and the gentlemen were
glad to get off, without farther molestation. They had not proceeded
far, before they were overtaken by Pareah, in a canoe. He delivered
the midshipman's cap, which had been taken from him in the scuffle,
joined noses with them, in token of reconciliation, and was anxious
to know if Captain Cook would kill him for what had happened. They
assured him of the contrary, and made signs of friendship to him in
return. He then left them, and paddled over to the town of Kavaroah,
and that was the last time we ever saw him. Captain Cook returned on
board soon after, much displeased with the whole of this disagreeable
business; and the same night sent a lieutenant on board the Discovery
to learn the particulars of it, as it had originated in that ship. It
was remarkable, that in the midst of the hurry and confusion
attending this affair, Kanynah (a chief who had always been on terms
particularly friendly with us) came from the spot where it happened,
with a hog to sell on board the Discovery; it was of an extraordinary
large size, and he demanded for it a pahowa, or dagger, of an unusual
length. He pointed to us, that it must be as long as his arm. Captain
Clerke not having one of that length, told him, he would get one made
for him by the morning; with which being satisfied, he left the
hog, and went ashore without making any stay with us. It will not
be altogether foreign to the subject, to mention a circumstance that
happened to-day on board the Resolution. An Indian chief asked Captain
Cook at his table if he was a _Tata Toa_, which mean's a fighting man,
or a soldier. Being answered in the affirmative, he desired to see his
wounds; Captain Cook held out his right-hand, which had a scar
upon it, dividing the thumb from the finger the whole length of the
metacarpal bones. The Indian being thus convinced of his being a Toa,
put the same question to another gentleman present, but he happened to
have none of those distinguishing marks; the chief then said, that he
himself was a Toa, and shewed the scars of some wounds he had received
in battle. Those who were on duty at the observatories were disturbed,
during the night, with shrill and melancholy sounds, issuing from
the adjacent villages, which they took to be the lamentations of the
women. Perhaps the quarrel between us might have filled their minds
with apprehensions for the safety of their husbands; but, be that as
it may, their mournful cries struck the sentinels with unusual awe and
terror.
"To widen the breach between us, some of the Indians, in the night,
took away the Discovery's large cutter, which lay swamped at the buoy
of one of her anchors; they had carried her off so quietly, that we
did not miss her till the morning, Sunday, February the 14th. Captain
Clerke lost no time in waiting upon Captain Cook, to acquaint him with
the accident; he returned on board, with orders for the launch and
small cutter to go, under the command of the second lieutenant, and
lie off the east point of the bay, in order to intercept all canoes
that might attempt to get out, and, if he found it necessary, to fire
upon them. At the same time, the third lieutenant of the Resolution,
with the launch and small cutter, was sent on the same service, to the
opposite point of the bay; and the master was dispatched in the large
cutter in pursuit of a double canoe, already under sail, making the
best of her way out of the harbour. He soon came up with her, and by
firing a few muskets, drove her on shore, and the Indians left her;
this happened to be the canoe of Omea, a man who bore the title of
Orono. He was on board himself, and it would have been fortunate if
our people had secured him, for his person was held as sacred as that
of the king. During this time, Captain Cook was preparing to go ashore
himself, at the town of Kavaroah, in order to secure the person of
Kariopoo, before he should have time to withdraw himself to another
part of the island, out of our reach. This appeared the most effectual
step that could be taken on the present occasion for the recovery of
the boat. It was the measure he had invariably pursued, in similar
cases, at other islands in these seas, and it had always been attended
with the desired success; in fact, it would be difficult to point out
any other mode of proceeding on these emergencies, likely to attain
the object in view.[3] We had reason to suppose, that the king and his
attendants had fled when the alarm was first given; in that case, it
was Captain Cook's intention to secure the large canoes which were
hauled up on the beach. He left the ship about seven o'clock, attended
by the lieutenant of marines, a serjeant, corporal, and seven private
men; the pinnace's crew were also armed, and under the command of Mr
Roberts. As they rowed towards the shore, Captain Cook ordered the
launch to leave her station at the west point of the bay, in order to
assist his own boat. This is a circumstance worthy of notice; for
it clearly shews, that he was not unapprehensive of meeting with
resistance from the natives, or unmindful of the necessary preparation
for the safety of himself and his people. I will venture to say, that
from the appearance of things just at that time, there was not
one, beside himself, who judged that such precaution was absolutely
requisite; so little did his conduct on the occasion bear the marks of
rashness, or a precipitate self-confidence! He landed with the marines
at the upper end of the town of Kavaroah; the Indians immediately
flocked round as usual, and shewed him the customary marks of
respect, by prostrating themselves before him. There were no signs of
hostilities, or much alarm among them. Captain Cook, however, did not
seem willing to trust to appearances, but was particularly attentive
to the disposition of the marines, and to have them kept clear of the
crowd. He first enquired for the king's sons, two youths who were much
attached to him, and generally his companions on board. Messengers
being sent for them, they soon came to him, and informing him that
their father was asleep at a house not far from them, he accompanied
them thither, and took the marines along with them. As he passed
along, the natives every where prostrated themselves before him, and
seemed to have lost no part of that respect they had always shewn to
his person. He was joined by several chiefs, among whom was Kanynah,
and his brother Koohowrooah. They kept the crowd in order, according
to their usual custom; and, being ignorant of his intention in
coming on shore, frequently asked him, if he wanted any hogs or other
provisions; he told them that he did not, and that his business was
to see the king. When he arrived at the house, he ordered some of the
Indians to go in and inform Kariopoo, that he waited without to speak
with him. They came out two or three times, and instead of returning
any answer from the king, presented some pieces of red cloth to him,
which made Captain Cook suspect that he was not in the house; he
therefore desired the lieutenant of marines to go in. The lieutenant
found the old man just awaked from sleep, and seemingly alarmed at the
message; but he came out without hesitation. Captain Cook took him by
the hand, and in a friendly manner asked him to go on board, to which
he very readily consented. Thus far matters appeared in a favourable
train, and the natives did not seem much alarmed or apprehensive
of hostility on our side, at which Captain Cook expressed himself
a little surprised, saying, that as the inhabitants of that town
appeared innocent of stealing the cutter, he should not molest them,
but that he must get the king on board. Kariopoo sat down before his
door, and was surrounded by a great crowd; Kanynah and his brother
were both very active in keeping order among them. In a little time,
however, the Indians were observed arming themselves with long spears,
clubs, and daggers, and putting on thick mats, which they use as
armour. This hostile appearance increased, and became more alarming,
on the arrival of two men in a canoe from the opposite side of the
bay, with the news of a chief, called Kareemoo, having been killed by
one of the Discovery's boats. In their passage across, they had also
delivered this account to each of the ships. Upon that information,
the women who were sitting upon the beach at their breakfasts, and
conversing familiarly with our people in the boats, retired, and
a confused murmur spread through the crowd. An old priest came to
Captain Cook, with a cocoa-nut in his hand, which he held out to him
as a present, at the same time singing very loud. He was often desired
to be silent, but in vain; he continued importunate and troublesome,
and there was no such thing as getting rid of him or his noise; it
seemed as if he meant to divert their attention from his countrymen,
who were growing more tumultuous, and arming themselves in every
quarter. Captain Cook being at the same time surrounded by a great
crowd, thought his situation rather hazardous; he therefore ordered
the lieutenant of marines to march his small party to the water-side,
where the boats lay within a few yards of the shore; the Indians
readily made a lane for them to pass, and did not offer to interrupt
them. The distance they had to go might be about fifty or sixty yards;
Captain Cook followed, having hold of Kariopoo's hand, who accompanied
him very willingly; he was attended by his wife, two sons, and several
chiefs. The troublesome old priest followed, making the same savage
noise. Keowa, the younger son, went directly into the pinnace,
expecting his father to follow, but just as he arrived at the
water-side, his wife threw her arms about his neck, and, with the
assistance of two chiefs, forced him to sit down by the side of a
double canoe. Captain Cook expostulated with them, but to no purpose;
they would not suffer the king to proceed, telling him, that he would
be put to death if he went on board the ship. Kariopoo, whose conduct
seemed entirely resigned to the will of others, hung down his head,
and appeared much distressed.
"While the king was in this situation, a chief, well known to us,
of the name of Coho, was observed lurking near, with an iron dagger,
partly concealed under his cloak, seemingly, with the intention
of stabbing Captain Cook, or the lieutenant of marines. The latter
proposed to fire at him, but Captain Cook would not permit it. Coho
closing upon them, obliged the officer to strike him with his piece,
which made him retire. Another Indian laid hold of the serjeant's
musquet, and endeavoured to wrench it from him, but was prevented by
the lieutenant's making a blow at him. Captain Cook, seeing the tumult
increase, and the Indians growing more daring and resolute, observed,
that if he were to take the king off by force, he could not do it
without sacrificing the lives of many of his people. He then paused a
little, and was on the point of giving his orders to reimbark, when a
man threw a stone at him, which he returned with a discharge of small
shot (with which one barrel of his double piece was loaded.) The
man having a thick mat before him, received little or no hurt; he
brandished his spear, and threatened to dart it at Captain Cook, who
being still unwilling to take away his life, instead of firing with
ball, knocked him down with his musket. He expostulated strongly with
the most forward of the crowd, upon their turbulent behaviour. He had
given up all thoughts of getting the king on board, as it appeared
impracticable; and his care was then only to act on the defensive, and
to secure a safe embarkation for his small party, which was closely
pressed by a body of several thousand people. Keowa, the king's son,
who was in the pinnace, being alarmed on hearing the first fire, was,
at his own entreaty, put on shore again; for even at that time, Mr
Roberts, who commanded her, did not apprehend that Captain Cook's
person was in any danger; otherwise he would have detained the prince,
which, no doubt, would have been a great check on the Indians. One
man was observed, behind a double canoe, in the action of darting
his spear at Captain Cook, who was forced to fire at him in his own
defence, but happened to kill another close to him, equally forward in
the tumult; the serjeant observing that he had missed the man he aimed
at, received orders to fire at him, which he did, and killed him. By
this time, the impetuosity of the Indians was somewhat repressed;
they fell back in a body, and seemed staggered; but being pushed on
by those behind, they returned to the charge, and poured a volley of
stones among the marines, who, without waiting for orders, returned it
with a general discharge of musquetry, which was instantly followed by
a fire from the boats. At this Captain Cook was heard to express his
astonishment; he waved his hand to the boats, called to them to cease
firing, and to come nearer in to receive the marines. Mr Roberts
immediately brought the pinnace as close to the shore as he could,
without grounding, notwithstanding the showers of stones that fell
among the people; but ----, the lieutenant, who commanded in the
launch, instead of pulling in to the assistance of Captain Cook,
withdrew his boat farther off, at the moment that every thing seems to
have depended upon the timely exertions of those in the boats. By
his own account, he mistook the signal; but be that as it may, this
circumstance appears to me to have decided the fatal turn of the
affair, and to have removed every chance which remained with Captain
Cook, of escaping with his life. The business of saving the marines
out of the water, in consequence of that, fell altogether upon the
pinnace; which thereby became so much crowded, that the crew were, in
a great measure, prevented from using their fire-arms, or giving what
assistance they otherwise might have done, to Captain Cook; so that
he seems, at the most critical point of time, to have wanted the
assistance of both boats, owing to the removal of the launch. For,
notwithstanding that they kept up a fire on the crowd, from the
situation to which they removed in that boat, the fatal confusion
which ensued on her being withdrawn, to say the least of it, must have
prevented the full effect, that the prompt co-operation of the two
boats, according to Captain Cook's orders, must have had, towards the
preservation of himself and his people.[4] At that time, it was to the
boats alone, that Captain Cook had to look for his safety; for, when
the marines had fired, the Indians rushed among them, and forced them
into the water, where four of them were killed; their lieutenant was
wounded, but fortunately escaped, and was taken up by the pinnace.
Captain Cook was then the only one remaining on the rock; he was
observed making for the pinnace, holding his left hand against the
back of his head, to guard it from the stones, and carrying his
musquet under the other arm. An Indian was seen following him,
but with caution and timidity; for he stopped once or twice, as if
undetermined to proceed. At last he advanced upon him unawares, and
with a large club,[5] or common stake, gave him a blow on the back of
the head, and then precipitately retreated. The stroke seemed to have
stunned Captain Cook; he staggered a few paces, then fell on his hand
and one knee, and dropped his musquet. As he was rising, and before he
could recover his feet, another Indian stabbed him in the back of the
neck with an iron dagger. He then fell into a bite of water about
knee deep, where others crowded upon him, and endeavoured to keep him
under: but struggling very strongly with them, he got his head up, and
casting his look towards the pinnace, seemed to solicit assistance.
Though the boat was not above five or six yards distant from him, yet
from the crowded and confused state of the crew, it seems, it was not
in their power to save him. The Indians got him under again, but in
deeper water; he was, however, able to get his head up once more, and
being almost spent in the struggle, he naturally turned to the rock,
and was endeavouring to support himself by it, when a savage gave him
a blow with a club, and he was seen alive no more. They hauled him up
lifeless on the rocks, where they seemed to take a savage pleasure in
using every barbarity to his dead body, snatching the daggers out of
each other's hands, to have the horrid satisfaction of piercing the
fallen victim of their barbarous rage.
"I need make no reflection on the great loss we suffered on this
occasion, or attempt to describe what we felt. It is enough to say,
that no man was ever more beloved or admired; and it is truly painful
to reflect, that he seems to have fallen a sacrifice merely for want
of being properly supported; a fate, singularly to be lamented, as
having fallen to his lot, who had ever been conspicuous for his care
of those under his command, and who seemed, to the last, to pay as
much attention to their preservation, as to that of his own life. If
any thing could have added to the shame and indignation universally
felt on this occasion, it was to find, that his remains had been
deserted, and left exposed on the beach, although they might have
been brought off. It appears, from the information of four or five
midshipmen, who arrived on the spot at the conclusion of the fatal
business, that the beach was then almost entirely deserted by the
Indians, who at length had given way to the fire of the boats, and
dispersed through the town; so that there seemed no great obstacle
to prevent the recovery of Captain Cook's body; but the lieutenant
returned on board without making the attempt. It is unnecessary to
dwell longer on this painful subject, and to relate the complaints
and censures that fell on the conduct of the lieutenant. It will be
sufficient to observe, that they were so loud as to oblige Captain
Clerke publicly to notice them, and to take the depositions of his
accusers down in writing. The captain's bad state of health and
approaching dissolution, it is supposed, induced him to destroy these
papers a short time before his death. It is a painful task, to be
obliged to notice circumstances, which seem to reflect upon the
character of any man. A strict regard to truth, however, compelled me
to the insertion of these facts, which I have offered merely as
facts, without presuming to connect with them any comment of my own;
esteeming it the part of a faithful historian, 'to extenuate nothing,
nor set down aught in malice.' The fatal accident happened at eight
o'clock in the morning, about an hour after Captain Cook landed. It
did not seem, that the king, or his sons, were witnesses to it; but
it is supposed that they withdrew in the midst of the tumult. The
principal actors were the other chiefs, many of them the king's
relations and attendants; the man who stabbed him with the dagger was
called Nooah. I happened to be the only one who recollected his person
from having on a former occasion mentioned his name in the journal I
kept. I was induced to take particular notice of him, more from his
personal appearance than any other consideration, though he was of
high rank, and a near relation of the king; he was stout and tall,
with a fierce look and demeanour, and one who united in his figure the
two qualities of strength and agility, in a greater degree, than ever
I remembered to have seen before in any other man. His age might be
about thirty, and by the white scurf on his skin, and his sore eyes,
he appeared to be a hard drinker of kava. He was a constant companion
of the king, with whom I first saw him, when he paid a visit to
Captain Clerke. The chief who first struck Captain Cook with the club,
was called Karimano, craha, but I did not know him by his name. These
circumstances I learnt of honest Kaireekea, the priest, who added,
that they were both held in great esteem on account of that action;
neither of them came near us afterwards. When the boats left the
shore, the Indians carried away the dead body of Captain Cook and
those of the marines, to the rising ground, at the back of the town,
where we could plainly see them with our glasses from the ships. This
most melancholy accident appears to have been altogether unexpected
and unforeseen, as well on the part of the natives as ourselves. I
never saw sufficient reason to induce me to believe, that there was
any thing of design, or a pre-concerted plan, on their side, or that
they purposely sought to quarrel with us; thieving, which gave rise
to the whole, they were equally guilty of, in our first and second
visits. It was the cause of every misunderstanding that happened
between us; their petty thefts were generally overlooked, but
sometimes slightly punished; the boat, which they at last ventured
to take away, was an object of no small magnitude to people in our
situation, who could not possibly replace her, and therefore not
slightly to be given up. We had no other chance of recovering her,
but by getting the person of the king into our possession; on our
attempting to do that, the natives became alarmed for his safety, and
naturally opposed those whom they deemed his enemies. In the sudden
conflict that ensued, we had the unspeakable misfortune of losing
our excellent commander, in the manner already related. It is in this
light the affair has always appeared to me, as entirely accidental,
and not in the least owing to any previous offence received, or
jealousy of our second visit entertained by the natives. Pareah seems
to have been the principal instrument in bringing about this fatal
disaster. We learnt afterwards, that it was he who had employed some
people to steal the boat; the king did not seem to be privy to it, or
even apprized of what had happened, till Captain Cook landed. It
was generally remarked, that, at first, the Indians shewed great
resolution in facing our fire-arms; but it was entirely owing to
ignorance of their effect. They thought that their thick mats would
defend them from a ball, as well as from a stone; but being soon
convinced of their error, yet still at a loss to account how such
execution was done among them, they had recourse to a stratagem,
which, though it answered no other purpose, served to shew their
ingenuity and quickness of invention. Observing the flashes of the
musquets, they naturally concluded, that water would counteract their
effect, and therefore, very sagaciously, dipped their mats, or armour,
in the sea, just as they came on to face our people; but finding this
last resource to fail them, they soon dispersed, and left the beach
entirely clear. It was an object they never neglected, even at the
greatest hazard, to carry off their slain; a custom, probably owing to
the barbarity with which they treat the dead body of an enemy, and the
trophies they make of his bones."[6]]
[Footnote 1: It is proper to take notice, that Mr Samwell spells the
names of several persons and places differently from what is done
in the history of the voyage. For instance, Karakakooa, he
calls Ke,rag,e,goo,ah; Terreeoboo, Kariopoo; Kowrowa, Kavaroah;
Kaneecabareea, Kaneekapo berei; Mahai mahai, Ka,mea,mea.]
[Footnote 2: Mr King relates, that our voyagers, upon coming to
anchor, were surprised to find their reception very different from
what it had been on their first arrival. He acknowledges, however,
that the unsuspicious conduct of Terreeoboo, who, the next morning,
came immediately to visit Captain Cook, and the consequent return of
the natives to their former friendly intercourse with the English, are
strong proofs, that they neither meant nor apprehended any change of
conduct. "Things," says Mr King, "went on in their usual quiet course
till the afternoon of the 13th."]
[Footnote 3: Mr King acknowledges, that he was always fearful, that
the degree of confidence which Captain Cook had acquired from his
long and uninterrupted course of success, in his transactions with the
natives of these seas, might, at some unlucky moment, put him too much
off his guard.]
[Footnote 4: I have been informed, on the best authority, that, in
the opinion of Captain Philips, who commanded the marines, and whose
judgment must be of the greatest weight, it is extremely doubtful
whether any thing could successfully have been done to preserve the
life of Captain Cook, even if no mistake had been committed on the
part of the launch.]
[Footnote 5: I have heard one of the gentlemen who were present
say, that the first injury he received was from a dagger, as it is
represented in the voyage; but, from the account of many others, who
were also eye-witnesses, I am confident, in saying, that he was first
struck with a club. I was afterwards confirmed in this, by Kaireekea,
the priest, who particularly mentioned the name of the man who gave
him the blow, as well as that of the chief, who afterwards struck him
with the dagger. This is a point not worth disputing about; I mention
it, as being solicitous to be accurate in this account, even in
circumstances, of themselves, not very material.]
[Footnote 6: Samwell's Narrative of the Death of Captain James Cook,
p. 2-20.]
SECTION IV.
_Transactions at Owhyhee subsequent to the Death of Captain
Cook.--Gallant Behaviour of the Lieutenant of Marines.--Dangerous
Situation of the Party at the Morai.--Bravery of one of the
Natives.--Consultation respecting future Measures.--Demand of the
Body of Captain Cook.--Evasive and insidious Conduct of Koah and
the Chiefs.--Insolent Behaviour of the Natives.--Promotion
of Officers.--Arrival of two Priests with Part of the
Body.--Extraordinary Behaviour of two Boys.--Burning of the Village
of Kakooa.--Unfortunate Destruction of the Dwellings of the
Priests.--Recovery of the Bones of Captain Cook.--Departure from
Karakakooa Bay._
It has been already stated, that four of the marines, who attended
Captain Cook, were killed by the islanders on the spot. The rest, with
Mr Phillips, their lieutenant, threw themselves into the water, and
escaped, under cover of a smart fire from the boats. On this occasion,
a remarkable instance of gallant behaviour, and of affection for his
men, was shewn by that officer; for he had scarcely got into the boat,
when, seeing one of the marines, who was a bad swimmer, struggling in
the water, and in danger of being taken by the enemy, he immediately
jumped into the sea to his assistance, though much wounded himself;
and, after receiving a blow on the head from a stone, which had nearly
sent him to the bottom, be caught the man by the hair, and brought him
safe off.
Our people continued for some time to keep up a constant fire from the
boats (which, during the whole transaction, were not more than twenty
yards from the land,) in order to afford their unfortunate companions,
if any of them should still remain alive, an opportunity of escaping.
These efforts, seconded by a few guns that were fired at the same time
from the Resolution, having forced the natives at last to retire, a
small boat, manned by five of our young midshipmen, pulled toward the
shore, where they saw the bodies, without any signs of life, lying
on the ground; but judging it dangerous to attempt to bring them off,
with so small a force, and their ammunition being nearly expended,
they returned to the ships, leaving them in possession of the
islanders, together with ten stands of arms.
As soon as the general consternation, which the news of this calamity
occasioned throughout both crews, had a little subsided, their
attention was called to our party at the _morai_, where the mast
and sails were on shore, with a guard of only six marines. It is
impossible for me to describe the emotions of my own mind, during the
time these transactions had been carrying on at the other side of the
bay. Being at the distance of only a short mile from the village of
Kowrowa, we could see distinctly an immense crowd collected on the
spot where Captain Cook had just before landed. We heard the firing
of the musketry, and could perceive some extraordinary bustle and
agitation in the multitude. We afterwards saw the natives flying,
the boats retire from the shore, and passing and repassing, in great
stillness, between the ships. I must confess, that my heart soon
misgave me. Where a life so dear and valuable was concerned, it was
impossible not to be alarmed, by appearances both new and threatening.
But, besides this, I knew that a long and uninterrupted course of
success, in his transactions with the natives of these seas, had given
the captain a degree of confidence, that I was always fearful might,
at some unlucky moment, put him too much off his guard; and I now saw
all the dangers to which that confidence might lead, without receiving
much consolation from considering the experience that had given rise
to it.[1]
[Footnote 1: This is a very happy reflection, and implies a
discriminating power and good sense, of which, it is justice to his
talents to say, Captain King has exhibited no few or inconsiderable
examples.--E.]
My first care, on hearing the muskets fired, was, to assure the
people, who had assembled in considerable numbers round the wall of
our consecrated field, and seemed equally at a loss with ourselves how
to account for what they had seen and heard, that they should not be
molested; and that, at all events, I was desirous of continuing on
peaceable terms with them. We remained in this posture till the boats
had returned on board, when Captain Clerke, observing through his
telescope, that we were surrounded by the natives, and apprehending
they meant to attack us, ordered two four-pounders to be fired at
them. Fortunately, these guns, though well aimed, did no mischief,
and yet gave the natives a convincing proof of their power. One of
the balls broke a cocoa-nut tree in the middle, under which a party
of them were sitting; and the other shivered a rock that stood in an
exact line with them. As I had just before given them the strongest
assurances of their safety, I was exceedingly mortified at this act of
hostility; and, to prevent a repetition of it, immediately dispatched
a boat to acquaint Captain Clerke, that, at present, I was on the
most friendly terms with the natives; and that, if occasion should
hereafter arise for altering my conduct toward them, I would hoist
a jack, as a signal for him to afford us all the assistance in his
power.
We expected the return of the boat with the utmost impatience; and,
after remaining a quarter of an hour under the most torturing anxiety
and suspense, our fears were at length confirmed by the arrival of Mr
Bligh, with orders to strike the tents as quickly as possible, and to
send the sails that were repairing on board. Just at the same moment,
our friend Kaireekeea, having also received intelligence of the death
of Captain Cook, from a native who had arrived from the other side
of the bay, came to me, with great sorrow and dejection in his
countenance, to enquire if it was true.
Our situation was, at this time, extremely critical and important; not
only our own lives, but the event of the expedition, and the return of
at least one of the ships, being involved in the same common danger.
We had the mast of the Resolution, and the greatest part of our sails,
on shore, under the protection of only six marines: Their loss would
have been irreparable; and though the natives had not as yet shewn the
smallest disposition to molest us, yet it was impossible to answer
for the alteration which the news of the transaction at Kowrowa might
produce. I therefore thought it prudent to dissemble my belief of
the death of Captain Cook, and to desire Kaireekeea to discourage
the report; lest either the fear of our resentment, or the successful
example of their countrymen, might lead them to seize the favourable
opportunity, which at this time offered itself, of giving us a second
blow. At the same time I advised him to bring old Kaoo and the rest of
the priests, into a large house that was close to the _morai_; partly
out of regard to their safety, in case it should have been found
necessary to proceed to extremities; and, partly, to have him near us,
in order to make use of his authority with the people, if it could be
instrumental in preserving peace.
Having placed the marines on the top of the _morai_, which formed
a strong and advantageous post, and left the command with Mr Bligh,
giving him the most positive directions to act entirely on the
defensive, I went on board the Discovery, in order to represent to
Captain Clerke the dangerous situation of our affairs. As soon as I
quitted the spot, the natives began to annoy our people with stones;
and I had scarcely reached the ship, before I heard the firing of the
marines. I therefore returned instantly on shore, where I found things
growing every moment more alarming. The natives were arming, and
putting on their mats; and their numbers increased very fast. I could
also perceive several large bodies marching toward us, along the cliff
which separates the village of Kakooa from the north side of the bay,
where the village of Kowrowa is situated.
They began at first to attack us with stones, from behind the walls
of their enclosures; and finding no resistance on our part, they
soon grew more daring. A few resolute fellows, having crept along the
beach, under cover of the rocks, suddenly made their appearance at the
foot of the _morai_, with a design, as it seemed, of storming it on
the side next the sea, which was its only accessible part; and were
not dislodged, till after they had stood a considerable number of
shot, and seen one of their party fall.
The bravery of one of these assailants well deserves to be
particularly mentioned; for, having returned to carry off his
companion, amidst the fire of our whole party, a wound which he
received made him quit the body and retire; but, in a few minutes, he
again appeared, and being again wounded, he was obliged a second
time to retreat. At this moment I arrived at the _morai_, and saw him
return the third time, bleeding and faint; and being informed of what
had happened, I forbade the soldiers to fire, and he was suffered to
carry off his friend; which he was just able to perform, and then fell
down himself, and expired.
About this time a strong reinforcement from both ships having landed,
the natives retreated behind their walls; which, giving me access to
our friendly priests, I sent one of them to endeavour to bring their
countrymen to some terms, and to propose to them, that if they would
desist from throwing stones, I would not permit our men to fire. This
truce was agreed to; and we were suffered to launch the mast, and
carry off the sails, and our astronomical apparatus, unmolested. As
soon as we had quitted the _morai_, they took possession of it, and
some of them threw a few stones, but without doing us any mischief.
It was half an hour past eleven o'clock when I got on board the
Discovery, where I found no decisive plan had been adopted for our
future proceedings. The restitution of the boat, and the recovery of
the body of Captain Cook, were the objects which, on all hands, we
agreed to insist on; and it was my opinion that some vigorous steps
should be taken, in case the demand of them was not immediately
complied with.
Though my feelings, on the death of a beloved and honoured friend, may
be suspected to have had some share in this opinion, yet there were
certainly other reasons, and those of the most serious kind, that had
considerable weight with me. The confidence which their success in
killing our chief, and forcing us to quit the shore, must naturally
have inspired; and the advantage, however trifling, which they had
obtained over us the preceding day, would, I had no doubt, encourage
them to make some further dangerous attempts; and the more especially,
as they had little reason, from what they had hitherto seen, to dread
the effects of our fire-arms. Indeed, contrary to the expectations
of every one, this sort of weapon had produced no signs of terror in
them. On our side, such was the condition of the ships, and the state
of discipline amongst us, that had a vigorous attack been made on
us in the night, it would have been impossible to answer for the
consequences.
In these apprehensions, I was supported by the opinion of most of the
officers on board; and nothing seemed to me so likely to encourage the
natives to make the attempt, as the appearance of our being inclined
to an accommodation, which they could only attribute to weakness or
fear.
In favour of more conciliatory measures, it was justly urged, that
the mischief was done, and irreparable; that the natives had a
strong claim to our regard, on account of their former friendship and
kindness; and the more especially, as the late melancholy accident did
not appear to have arisen from any premeditated design; that, on
the part of Terreeoboo, his ignorance of the theft, his readiness to
accompany Captain Cook on board, and his having actually sent his
two sons into the boat, must free him from the smallest degree of
suspicion; that the conduct of his women and the _Erees_ might easily
be accounted for, from the apprehensions occasioned by the armed force
with which Captain Cook came on shore, and the hostile preparations
in the bay; appearances so different from the terms of friendship and
confidence, in which both parties had hitherto lived, that the arming
of the natives was evidently with a design to resist the attempt,
which they had some reason to imagine would be made, to carry off
their king by force, and was naturally to be expected from a people
full of affection and attachment to their chiefs.
To these motives of humanity, others of a prudential nature were
added; that we were in want of water and other refreshments; that
our foremast would require six or eight days work before it could
be stepped; that the spring was advancing apace; and that the speedy
prosecution of our next northern expedition ought now to be our sole
object; that, therefore, to engage in a vindictive contest with the
inhabitants, might not only lay us under the imputation of unnecessary
cruelty, but would occasion an unavoidable delay in the equipment of
the ships.
In this latter opinion Captain Clerke concurred; and though I was
convinced, that an early display of vigorous resentment would more
effectually have answered every object both of prudence and humanity,
I was not sorry that the measures I had recommended were rejected.
For, though the contemptuous behaviour of the natives, and their
subsequent opposition to our necessary operations on shore, arising,
I have no doubt, from a misconstruction of our lenity, compelled us at
last to have recourse to violence in our own defence; yet I am not so
sure that the circumstances of the case would, in the opinion of
the world, have justified the use of force on our part in the first
instance. Cautionary rigour is at all times invidious; and has this
additional objection to it, that the severity of a preventive course,
when it best succeeds, leaves its expediency the least apparent.
During the time we were thus engaged, in concerting some plan for
our future conduct, a prodigious concourse of natives still kept
possession of the shore; and some of them came off in canoes, and
had the boldness to approach, within pistol-shot of the ships, and to
insult us by various marks of contempt and defiance. It was with great
difficulty we could restrain the sailors from the use of their arms
on these occasions; but as pacific measures had been, resolved on, the
canoes were suffered to return unmolested. In pursuance of this plan,
it was determined, that I should proceed toward the shore, with the
boats of both ships, well manned and armed; with a view to bring the
natives to a parley, and, if possible, to obtain a conference with
some of the chiefs.
If this attempt succeeded, I was to demand the dead bodies, and
particularly that of Captain Cook; to threaten them with our vengeance
in case of a refusal; but by no means to fire, unless attacked; and
not to land on any account whatever. These orders were delivered to me
before the whole party, and in the most positive manner.
I left the ships about four o'clock in the afternoon; and, as we
approached the shore, I perceived every indication of a hostile
reception. The whole crowd of natives was in motion; the women and
children retiring; the men putting on their war-mats, and arming
themselves with long spears and daggers. We also observed, that since
the morning they had thrown up stone breast-works along the beach
where Captain Cook had landed, probably in expectation of an attack at
that place; and as soon as we were within reach, they began to throw
stones at us with slings, but without doing any mischief. Concluding,
therefore, that all attempts to bring them to a parley would be in
vain, unless I first gave them some ground for mutual confidence, I
ordered the armed boats to stop, and went on in the small boat alone,
with a white flag in my hand, which, by a general cry of joy from the
natives, I had the satisfaction to find was instantly understood. The
women immediately returned from the side of the hill, whither they had
retired; the men threw off their mats, and all sat down together
by the water-side, extending their arms, and inviting me to come on
shore.
Though this behaviour was very expressive of a friendly disposition,
yet I could not help entertaining some suspicions of its sincerity.
But when I saw Koah, with a boldness and assurance altogether
unaccountable, swimming off toward the boat, with a white flag in his
hand, I thought it necessary to return this mark of confidence, and
therefore received him into the boat, though armed; a circumstance
which did not tend to lessen my suspicions. I must confess I had long
harboured an unfavourable opinion of this man. The priests had always
told us that he was of a malicious disposition, and no friend of ours;
and the repeated detections of his fraud and treachery had convinced
us of the truth of their representations. Add to all this, the
shocking transaction of the morning, in which he was seen acting a
principal part, made me feel the utmost horror at finding myself so
near him; and as he came up to me, with feigned tears, and embraced
me, I was so distrustful of his intentions, that I could not help
taking hold of the point of the _pahooah_, which he held in his hand,
and turning it from me. I told him, that I had come to demand the
body of Captain Cook; and to declare war against them, unless it
was instantly restored. He assured me this should be done as soon as
possible; and that he would go himself for that purpose; and, after
begging of me a piece of iron, with as much assurance as if nothing
extraordinary had happened, he leaped into the sea, and swam ashore,
calling out to his countrymen that we were all friends again.
We waited near an hour, with great anxiety, for his return; during
which time the rest of the boats had approached so near the shore
as to enter into conversation with a party of the natives, at some
distance from us; by whom they were plainly given to understand, that
the body had been cut to pieces, and carried up the country; but of
this circumstance I was not informed till our return to the ships.
I began now to express some impatience at Koah's delay; upon which the
chiefs pressed me to come on shore; assuring me, that if I would go
myself to Terreeoboo, the body would certainly be restored to me. When
they found they could not prevail on me to land, they attempted, under
a pretence of wishing to converse with more ease, to decoy our boat
among some rocks, where they would have had it in their power to cut
us off from the rest. It was no difficult matter to see through these
artifices; and I was, therefore, strongly inclined to break off all
further communication with them, when a chief came to us, who was
the particular friend of Captain Clerke, and of the officers of the
Discovery, on board which ship he had sailed when we last left the
bay, intending to take his passage to _Mowee_. He told us, that he
came from Terreeoboo, to acquaint us, that the body was carried up the
country; but that it should be brought to us the next morning. There
appeared a great deal of sincerity in his manner; and being asked if
he told a falsehood, he hooked his two fore-fingers together, which is
understood amongst these islanders as the sign of truth; in the use of
which they are very scrupulous.
As I was now at a loss in what manner to proceed, I sent Mr Vancouver
to acquaint Captain Clerke with all that had passed; that my opinion
was they meant not to keep their word with us; and were so far from
being sorry at what had happened, that, on the contrary, they were
full of spirits and confidence on account of their late success, and
sought only to gain time, till they could contrive some scheme for
getting us into their power. Mr Vancouver came back with orders for me
to return on board; having given the natives to understand, that,
if the body was not brought the next morning, the town should be
destroyed.
When they saw that we were going off, they endeavoured to provoke us
by the most insulting and contemptuous gestures. Some of our people
said they could distinguish several of the natives parading about
in the clothes of our unfortunate comrades; and among them a chief,
brandishing Captain Cook's hanger, and a woman holding the scabbard.
Indeed, there can be no doubt but that our behaviour had given them a
mean opinion of our courage, for they could have but little notion of
the motives of humanity that directed it.
In consequence of the report I made to Captain Clerke, of what I
conceived to be the present temper and disposition of the islanders,
the most effectual measures were taken to guard against any attack
they might make in the night. The boats were moored with top-chains;
additional sentinels were posted on both ships; and guard-boats were
stationed to row round them, in order to prevent the natives from
cutting the cables. During the night we observed a prodigious number
of lights on the hills, which made some of us imagine they were
removing their effects back into the country, in consequence of our
threats. But I rather believe them to have been sacrifices that were
performing on account of the war in which they imagined themselves
about to be engaged; and, most probably, the bodies of our slain
countrymen were at that time burning. We afterwards saw fires of the
same kind, as we passed the island of Morotoi; and which, we were told
by some natives then on board, were made on account of the war they
had declared against a neighbouring island. And this agrees with what
we learned amongst the Friendly and Society Isles, that, previous
to any expedition against an enemy, the chiefs always endeavoured to
animate and inflame the courage of the people by feasts and rejoicings
in the night.
We remained the whole night undisturbed, except by the howlings and
lamentations which were heard on shore; and early the next morning
Koah came alongside the Resolution, with a present of cloth and a
small pig, which he desired leave to present to me. I have mentioned
before, that I was supposed, by the natives, to be the son of Captain
Cook; and as he, in his lifetime, had always suffered them to believe
it, I was probably considered as the chief after his death. As soon as
I came on deck, I questioned, him about the body; and on his returning
me nothing but evasive answers, I refused to accept his presents;
and was going to dismiss him, with some expressions of anger and
resentment, had not Captain Clerke, judging it best, at all events, to
keep up the appearance of friendship, thought it more proper that he
should be treated with the usual respect.
This treacherous fellow came frequently to us, during the course of
the forenoon, with some trifling present or other; and, as I always
observed him eyeing every part of the ship with great attention, I
look care he should see we were well prepared for our defence.
He was exceedingly urgent, both with Captain Clerke and myself, to go
on shore, laying all the blame of the detention of the bodies on the
other chiefs; and assuring us that every thing might be settled to
our satisfaction by a personal interview with Terreeoboo. However,
his conduct was too suspicious to make it prudent to comply with this
request; and indeed a fact came afterward to our knowledge, which
proved the entire falsehood of his pretences: For we were told, that,
immediately after the action, in which Captain Cook was killed, the
old king had retired to a cave in the steep part of the mountain that
hangs over the bay, which was accessible only by the help of ropes,
and where he remained for many days, having his victuals let down to
him by cords.
When Koah returned from the ships, we could perceive that his
countrymen, who had been collected, by break of day, in vast crowds on
the shore, thronged about him with great eagerness; as if to learn the
intelligence he had acquired, and what was to be done in consequence
of it. It is very probable, that they expected we should attempt to
put our threats in execution; and they seemed fully resolved to stand
their ground. During the whole morning we heard conchs blowing in
different parts of the coast; large parties were seen marching over
the hills; and, in short, appearances were so alarming, that we
carried out a stream-anchor, to enable us to haul the ship abreast
of the town, in case of an attack; and stationed boats off the north
point of the bay, to prevent a surprise from that quarter.
The breach of their engagement to restore the bodies of the slain, and
the warlike posture in which they at this time appeared, occasioned
fresh debates amongst us concerning the measures next to be pursued.
It was at last determined, that nothing should be suffered to
interfere with the repair of the mast, and the preparations for our
departure; but that we should, nevertheless, continue our negotiations
for the recovery of the bodies.
The greatest part of the day was taken up in getting the fore-mast
into a proper situation on deck, for the carpenters to work upon it;
and in making the necessary alterations in the commissions of the
officers. The command of the expedition having devolved on Captain
Clerke, he removed on board the Resolution, appointed Lieutenant Gore
to be captain of the Discovery, and promoted Mr Harvey, a midshipman,
who had been with Captain Cook in his two last voyages, to the vacant
lieutenancy. During the whole day we met with no interruption from the
natives; and at night the launch was again moored with a top-chain;
and guard-boats stationed round both ships as before.
About eight o'clock, it being very dark, a canoe was heard paddling
toward the ship; and as soon as it was seen both the sentinels on
deck fired into it. There were two persons in the canoe, and they
immediately roared out "_Tinnee!_" which was the way in which they
pronounced my name, and said they were friends, and had something
for me belonging to Captain Cook. When they came on board, they threw
themselves at our feet, and appeared exceedingly frightened. Luckily,
neither of them was hurt, notwithstanding the balls of both pieces had
gone through the canoe. One of them was the person, whom I have before
mentioned under the name of the _Taboo man_, who constantly attended
Captain Cook with the circumstances of ceremony I have already
described; and who, though a man of rank in the island, could scarcely
be hindered from performing for him the lowest offices of a menial
servant. After lamenting, with abundance of tears, the loss of the
_Orono_, he told us, that he had brought us a part of his body. He
then presented to us a small bundle, wrapped up in cloth, which he
brought under his arm; and it is impossible to describe the horror
which seized us, on finding in it a piece of human flesh, about nine
or ten pounds weight. This, he said, was all that remained of the
body; that the rest was cut to pieces, and burnt; but that the head
and all the bones, except what belonged to the trunk, were in the
possession of Terreeoboo and the other _Erees_; that what we saw had
been allotted to Kaoo, the chief of the priests, to be made use of
in some religious ceremony; and that he had sent it as a proof of his
innocence and attachment to us.
This afforded an opportunity of informing ourselves whether they were
cannibals; and we did not neglect it. We first tried, by many indirect
questions, put to each of them apart, to learn in what manner the rest
of the bodies had been disposed of; and finding them very constant in
one story, that, after the flesh had been cut off, it was all burnt,
we at last put the direct question, whether they had not eat some of
it? They immediately shewed as much horror at the idea as any European
would have done; and asked, very naturally, if that was the custom
amongst us? They afterward asked us, with great earnestness and
apparent apprehension, "When the _Orono_ would come again; and what he
would do to them on his return?" The same enquiry was frequently made
afterward by others; and this idea agrees with the general tenor of
their conduct toward him, which shewed that they considered him as a
being of a superior nature.
We pressed our two friendly visitors to remain on board till morning,
but in vain. They told us, that if this transaction should come to the
knowledge of the king, or chiefs, it might be attended with the most
fatal consequences to their whole society; in order to prevent which
they had been obliged to come off to us in the dark; and that the same
precaution would be necessary in returning on shore. They informed
us farther, that the chiefs were eager to revenge the death of their
countrymen; and particularly cautioned us against trusting Koah, who,
they said, was our mortal and implacable enemy; and desired nothing
more ardently than an opportunity of fighting us; to which the blowing
of the conchs, we heard in the morning, was meant as a challenge.
We learned from these men, that seventeen of their countrymen were
killed in the first action at Kowrowa, of whom five were chiefs;
and that Kaneena and his brother, our very particular friends, were
unfortunately of that number. Eight, they said, were killed at the
observatory, three of whom were also of the first rank.
About eleven o'clock our two friends left us, and took the precaution
to desire, that our guard-boat might attend them, till they had passed
the Discovery, lest they should again be fired upon, which might alarm
their countrymen on shore, and expose them to the danger of
being discovered. This request was complied with; and we had the
satisfaction to find, that they got safe and undiscovered to land.
During the remainder of this night, we heard the same loud howling
and lamentations, as in the preceding one. Early in the morning,
we received another visit from Koah. I must confess, I was a little
piqued to find, that notwithstanding the most evident marks of
treachery in his conduct, and the positive testimony of our friends
the priests, he should still be permitted to carry on the same farce,
and to make us at least appear to be the dupes of his hypocrisy.
Indeed our situation was become extremely awkward and unpromising;
none of the purposes for which this pacific course of proceeding had
been adopted, having hitherto been in the least forwarded by it. No
satisfactory answer whatever had been given to our demands; we did not
seem to be at all advanced toward a reconciliation with the islanders;
they still kept in force on the shore, as if determined to resist
any attempts we might make to land; and yet the attempt was become
absolutely necessary, as the completing our supply of water would not
admit of any longer delay.
However, it must be observed, in justice to the conduct of Captain
Clerke, that it was very probable, from the great number of the
natives, and from the resolution with which they seemed to expect us,
an attack could not have been made without some danger; and that the
loss of a very few men might have been severely felt by us, during the
remaining course of our voyage. Whereas the delaying the execution of
our threats, though on the one hand it lessened their opinion of our
power, had the effect of causing them to disperse on the other. For
this day, about noon, finding us persist in our inactivity, great
bodies of them, after blowing their conchs, and using every mode of
defiance, marched off over the hills, and never appeared afterward.
Those, however, who remained, were not the less daring and insolent.
One man had the audacity to come within musket-shot a-head of the
ship; and, after slinging several stones at us, he waved Captain
Cook's hat over his head, whilst his countrymen on shore were exulting
and encouraging his boldness. Our people were all in a flame at this
insult, and coming in a body on the quarter-deck, begged they might
no longer be obliged to put up with these repeated provocations; and
requested me to obtain permission for them from Captain Clerke, to
avail themselves of the first fair occasion of revenging the death of
their commander. On my acquainting him with what was passing, he gave
orders for some great guns to be fired at the natives on shore; and
promised the crew, that if they should meet with any molestation at
the watering-place the next day, they should then be left at liberty
to chastise them.
It is somewhat remarkable, that before we could bring our guns to
bear, the islanders had suspected our intentions, from the stir they
saw in the ship, and had retired behind their houses and walls.
We were therefore obliged to fire, in some measure, at random;
notwithstanding which, our shot produced all the effects that could
have been desired; for, soon after, we saw Koah paddling toward us,
with extreme haste, and on his arrival we learned, that some people
had been killed, and amongst the rest, Maiha-maiha, a principal chief,
and a near relation of the king.[2]
[Footnote 2: The word _matee_ is commonly used, in the language of
these islands, to express either killing or wounding; and we were
afterwards told, that this chief had only received a slight blow on
the face from a stone, which had been struck by one of the balls.]
Soon after the arrival of Koah, two boys swam off from, the _morai_
toward the ships, having each a long spear in his hand; and after
they had approached pretty near, they began to chant a song in a very
solemn manner, the subject of which, from their often mentioning
the word _Orono_, and pointing to the village where Captain Cook was
killed, we concluded to be the late calamitous disaster. Having sung
in a plaintive strain for about twelve or fifteen minutes, during the
whole of which time they remained in the water, they went on board the
Discovery and delivered their spears, and after making a short stay,
returned on shore. Who sent them, or what was the object of this
ceremony, we were never able to learn.
At night, the usual precautions were taken for the security of the
ships; and as soon as it was dark, our two friends, who had visited
us the night before, came off again. They assured us, that though the
effects of our great guns, this afternoon, had terrified the chiefs
exceedingly, they had by no means laid aside their hostile intentions,
and advised us to be on our guard.
The next morning, the boats of both ships were sent ashore for water,
and the Discovery was warped close to the beach, in order to cover
that service. We soon found that the intelligence which the priests
had sent us, was not without foundation; and that the natives were
resolved to take every opportunity of annoying us, when, it could be
done without much risk.
Throughout all this group of islands, the villages, for the most part,
are situated near the sea; and the adjacent ground is enclosed with
stone walls, about three feet high. These, we at first imagined, were
intended for the division of property; but we now discovered, that
they served, and probably were principally designed, for a defence
against invasion. They consist of loose stones, and the inhabitants
are very dexterous in shifting them with great quickness, to such
situations, as the direction of the attack may require. In the sides
of the mountain, which hangs over the bay, they have also little
holes, or caves, of considerable depth, the entrance of which is
secured by a fence of the same kind. From behind both these defences,
the natives kept perpetually harassing our waterers with stones; nor
could the small force we had on shore, with the advantage of muskets,
compel them to retreat.
In this exposed situation, our people were so taken up in attending
to their own safety, that they employed the whole forenoon in filling
only one ton of water. As it was therefore impossible to perform this
service, till their assailants were driven to a greater distance,
the Discovery was ordered to dislodge them with her great guns,
which being effected by a few discharges, the men landed without
molestation. However, the natives soon after made their appearance
again, in their usual mode of attack; and it was now found absolutely
necessary to burn down some straggling houses near the well, behind
which they had taken shelter. In executing these orders, I am sorry to
add, that our people were hurried into acts of unnecessary cruelty
and devastation. Something ought certainly to be allowed to their
resentment of the repeated insults and contemptuous behaviour of the
islanders, and to the natural desire of revenging the loss of their
commander. But, at the same time, their conduct served strongly to
convince me, that the utmost precaution is necessary in trusting,
though but for a moment, the discretionary use of arms in the hands
of private seamen or soldiers on such occasions. The rigour of
discipline, and the habits of obedience, by which their force is
kept directed to its proper objects, lead them naturally enough to
conceive, that whatever they have the power; they have also the right
to do. Actual disobedience being almost the only crime for which they
are accustomed to expect punishment, they learn to consider it as the
only measure of right and wrong; and hence are apt to conclude, that
what they can do with impunity, they may do with justice and honour.
So that the feelings of humanity, which are inseparable from us all,
and that generosity toward an unresisting enemy, which at other times
is the distinguishing mark of brave men, become but weak restraints
to the exercise of violence, when opposed to the desire they naturally
have of shewing their own independence and power.[3]
[Footnote 3: In the preceding remarks, we have another strong
confirmation, if any additional one were wanting, of the opinions
formerly given respecting the character and usual conduct of sailors.
Nor are they less imperative, as to the expediency of modifying the
education and treatment of that useful class of subjects, than what
we ventured, on another occasion, to suggest. They have, however, the
recommendation of experience, to which, in general, more regard is
properly enough shewn, than can be expected towards arguments drawn
from merely abstract opinions, too often so remote from the common
track of life as to be quite inapplicable to the diversities and
complicated relations of human societies.--E.]
I have already mentioned, that orders had been given to burn only a
few straggling huts, which afforded shelter to the natives. We were
therefore a good deal surprised to see the whole village on fire; and
before a boat, that was sent to stop the progress of the mischief,
could reach the shore, the houses of our old and constant friends, the
priests, were all in flames. I cannot enough lament the illness that
confined me on board this day. The priests had always been under my
protection; and unluckily the officers who were then on duty, having
been seldom ashore at the _morai_, were not much acquainted with
the circumstances of the place. Had I been present myself, I might
probably have been, the means of saving their little society from
destruction.
Several of the natives were shot, in making their escape from the
flames; and our people cut off the heads of two of them, and brought
them on board. The fate of one poor islander was much lamented by us
all. As he was coming to the well for water, he was shot at by one of
the marines. The ball struck his calibash, which he immediately threw
from him and fled. He was pursued into one of the caves I have before
described, and no lion could have defended his den with greater
courage and fierceness, till at last, after having kept two of our
people at bay for a considerable time, he expired, covered with
wounds. It was this accident that first brought us acquainted with the
use of these caverns.
At this time, an elderly man was taken prisoner, bound, and sent on
board in the same boat with the heads of his two countrymen. I never
saw horror so strongly pictured, as in the face of this man, nor so
violent a transition to extravagant joy, as when he was untied,
and told he might go away in safety. He shewed us he did not want
gratitude, as he frequently afterward returned with presents of
provisions, and also did us other services.
Soon after the village was destroyed, we saw, coming down the hill,
a man, attended by fifteen or twenty boys, holding pieces of white
cloth, green boughs, and plantains, &c. in their hands. I know not how
it happened, that this peaceful embassy, as soon as they were within
reach, received the fire of a party of our men. This, however, did not
stop them. They continued their procession, and the officer on duty
came up in time to prevent a second discharge. As they approached
nearer, it was found to be our much-esteemed friend Kairekeea, who had
fled on our first setting fire to the village, and had now returned,
and desired to be sent on board the Resolution.
When he arrived, we found him exceedingly grave and thoughtful. We
endeavoured to make him understand the necessity we were under of
setting fire to the village, by which his house, and those of his
brethren, were unintentionally consumed. He expostulated a little with
us on our want of friendship, and on our ingratitude. And, indeed, it
was not till now, that we learnt the whole extent of the injury we had
done them. He told us, that relying on the promises I had made them,
and on the assurances they had afterward received from the men, who
had brought us the remains of Captain Cook, they had not removed their
effects back into the country with the rest of the inhabitants, but
had put every thing that was valuable of their own, as well as what
they had collected from us, into a house close to the _morai_, where
they had the mortification to see it all set on fire by ourselves.[4]
[Footnote 4: How painful, on the other hand, must this occurrence
have proved to a man of King's refined feelings and sentiments! But it
ought not to be forgotten, that even such an event, though not at all
intended, was almost a necessary consequence of the conduct, which, in
a moment of irritation, not however totally disjoined from every plea
of prudence, he himself had thought right to prescribe. So impolitic,
and so blind in the distribution of mischief, is revenge, though
apparently sanctioned by the hope and calculation of advantage.--E.]
On coming on board, he had seen the heads of his countrymen lying on
the deck, at which he was exceedingly shocked, and desired, with great
earnestness, that they might be thrown overboard. This request Captain
Clerke instantly ordered to be complied with.
In the evening, the watering party returned on board, having met
with no farther interruption. We passed a gloomy night; the cries and
lamentations we heard on shore being far more deadful than ever. Our
only consolation was, the hope that we should have no occasion, in
future, for a repetition of such severities.
It is very extraordinary, that amidst all these disturbances, the
women of the island who were on board, never offered to leave us, nor
discovered the smallest apprehensions either for themselves or their
friends ashore. So entirely unconcerned did they appear, that some of
them, who were on deck when the town was in flames, seemed to admire
the sight, and frequently cried out, that it was _maitai_, or very
fine.
The next morning, Koah came off as usual to the ships. As there
existed no longer any necessity for keeping terms with him, I was
allowed to have my own way. When he approached toward the side of
the ship, singing a song, and offering me a hog and some plantains, I
ordered him to keep off, cautioning him never to appear again without
Captain Cook's bones, lest his life should pay the forfeit of his
frequent breach of promise. He did not appear much mortified with this
reception, but went immediately on shore, and joined a party of his
countrymen, who were pelting the waterers with stones. The body of the
young man who had been killed the day before, was found this morning,
lying at the entrance of the cave; and some of our people went and
threw a mat over it; soon after which, they saw some men carrying him
off on their shoulders, and could hear them singing, as they marched,
a mournful song.
The natives, being at last convinced that it was not the want of
ability to punish them, which had hitherto made us tolerate their
provocations, desisted from giving us any farther molestation; and, in
the evening, a chief called Eappo, who had seldom visited us, but whom
we knew to be a man of the very first consequence, came with presents
from Terreeoboo to sue for peace. These presents were received, and he
was dismissed with the same answer which had before been given, that
until the remains of Captain Cook should be restored, no peace would
be granted. We learned from this person, that the flesh of all the
bodies of our people, together with the bones of the trunks, had been
burnt, that the limb bones of the marines had been divided amongst the
inferior chiefs, and that those of Captain Cook had been disposed of
in the following manner: The head to a great chief called Kahoo-opeon,
the hair to Maiha-maiha, and the legs, thighs, and arms to Terreeoboo.
After it was dark, many of the inhabitants came off with roots and
other vegetables, and we also received two large presents of the same
articles from Kaireekeea.
The 19th was chiefly taken up in sending and receiving the messages
which passed between Captain Clerke and Terreeoboo. Eappo was very
pressing that one of our officers should go on shore; and, in the mean
time, offered to remain as a hostage on board. This request, however,
it was not thought proper to comply with; and he left us with a
promise of bringing the bones the next day. At the beach, the
waterers did not meet with the least opposition from the natives; who,
notwithstanding our cautious behaviour, came amongst us again, without
the smallest appearance of diffidence or apprehension.
Early in the morning of the 20th, we had the satisfaction of getting
the foremast stepped. It was an operation attended with great
difficulty and some danger, our ropes being so exceedingly rotten,
that the purchase gave way several times.
Between ten and eleven o'clock, we saw a great number of people
descending the hill, which is over the beach, in a kind of procession,
each man carrying a sugar-cane or two on his shoulders, and
bread-fruit, _taro_, and plantains in his hand. They were preceded
by two drummers; who, when they came to the water-side, sat down by
a white flag, and began to beat their drums, while those who had
followed them, advanced one by one, and having deposited the presents
they had brought, retired in the same order. Soon after, Eappo came
in sight, in his long feathered cloak, bearing something with great
solemnity in his hands; and having placed himself on a rock, he made
signs for a boat to be sent to him.
Captain Clerke, conjecturing that he had brought the bones of Captain
Cook, which proved to be the fact, went himself in the pinnace to
receive them, and ordered me to attend him in the cutter. When we
arrived at the beach, Eappo came into the pinnace, and delivered
to the captain the bones wrapped up in a large quantity of fine new
cloth, and covered with a spotted cloak of black and white feathers.
He afterward attended us to the Resolution, but could not be prevailed
upon to go on board, probably not choosing, from a sense of decency,
to be present at the opening of the bundle. We found in it both the
hands of Captain Cook entire, which were well known from a remarkable
scar on one of them, that divided the thumb from the fore-finger, the
whole length of the metacarpal bone; the skull, but with the scalp
separated from it, and the bones that form the face wanting; the
scalp, with the hair upon it cut short, and the ears adhering to it;
the bones of both arms, with the skin of the fore-arms hanging to
them; the thigh and leg-bones joined together, but without the feet.
The ligaments of the joints were entire, and the whole bore evident
marks of having been in the fire, except the hands, which had the
flesh left upon them, and were cut in several places, and crammed with
salt, apparently with an intention of preserving them. The scalp had a
cut in the back part of it, but the skull was free from any fracture.
The lower jaw and feet, which were wanting, Eappo told us, had been
seized by different chiefs, and that Terreeoboo was using every means
to recover them.
The next morning, Eappo and the king's son came on board, and brought
with them the remaining bones of Captain Cook, the barrels of his gun,
his shoes, and some other trifles that belonged to him. Eappo took
great pains to convince us that Terreeoboo, Maiha-maiha, and himself,
were most heartily desirous of peace; that they had given us the
most convincing proof of it in their power; and that they had been
prevented from giving it sooner by the other chiefs, many of whom were
still our enemies. He lamented, with the greatest sorrow, the death of
six chiefs we had killed, some of whom, he said, were amongst our best
friends. The cutter, he told us, was taken away by Pareea's people,
very probably in revenge for the blow that had been given him, and
that it had been broken up the next day. The arms of the marines which
we had also demanded, he assured us had been carried off by the common
people, and were irrecoverable; the bones of the chief alone having
been preserved, as belonging to Terreeoboo and the Erees.
Nothing now remained but to perform the last offices to our great and
unfortunate commander. Eappo was dismissed with orders to _taboo_
all the bay; and in the afternoon, the bones having been put into a
coffin, and the service read over them, they were committed to the
deep with the usual military honours. What our feelings were on this
occasion I leave the world to conceive; those who were present know
that it is not in my power to express them.
During the forenoon of the 22d, not a canoe was seen paddling in the
bay; the _taboo_ which Eappo had laid on it the day before, at our
request, not being yet taken off. At length Eappo came off to us.
We assured him that we were now entirely satisfied; and that as the
_Orono_ was buried, all remembrance of what had passed was buried with
him. We afterward desired him to take off the _taboo_, and to make
it known, that the people might bring their provisions as usual. The
ships were soon surrounded with canoes, and many of the chiefs came
on board, expressing great sorrow at what had happened, and their
satisfaction at our reconciliation. Several of our friends, who
did not visit us, sent presents of large hogs and other provisions.
Amongst the rest came the old treacherous Koah, but was refused
admittance.
As we had now every thing ready for sea, Captain Clerke imagining,
that if the news of our proceedings should reach the islands to
leeward before us, it might have a bad effect, gave orders, to unmoor.
About eight in the evening we dismissed all the natives, and Eappo
and the friendly Kaireekeea took an affectionate leave of us. We
immediately weighed, and stood out of the bay. The natives were
collected on the shore in great numbers; and, as we passed along,
received our last farewells with every mark of affection and
good-will.[5]
[Footnote 5: Would it not be generally advantageous for mankind
to consider, when they are about to engage, or are engaged, in
hostilities against each other, that it is highly probable, nay
in most cases certain, that they shall one day come to a good
understanding, and regret that their altercation had been so mutually
destructive? Would not a notion of this kind, far enough indeed from
being any effect or symptom of weakness, contribute essentially to
what is surely always a good thing, the moderation of men's passions;
and have, therefore, the beneficial tendency, at really the least
expence and suffering, to accomplish the only legitimate and avowed
end of war, a safe and honourable peace? But no termination of a
struggle is entitled to be called either the one or the other, which,
resulting merely from the experience of common exhaustion and mutual
inability, leaves the parties to grumble over the relics of their
animosity, and to brood on their misfortunes, till new means and
spirits be produced to resume the conflict. There is much wisdom in
the language which a deceased statesman used, when he spoke of "making
peace in the spirit of peace," as the only remedy for the political
disorders of the world. But this disposition, it seems morally
certain, cannot exist, unless in union with the anticipation of the
comforts and vastly superior benefits which such a consummation can
afford,--E.]
SECTION V.
_Departure from Karakakooa in Search of a Harbour on the South-East
Side of Mowee.--Driven to Leeward by the Easterly Winds and
Current.--Pass the Island of Tahoorowha.--Description of the
South-West Side of Mowee.--Run along the Coasts of Ranai and
Morotoi to Woahoo.--Description of the North-East Coast of
Woahoo.--Unsuccessful Attempt to Water.--Passage to Atooi.--Anchor in
Wymoa Bay.--Dangerous Situation of the Watering Party on Shore.--Civil
Dissensions in the Islands.--Visit from the contending Chiefs.--Anchor
off Oneeheow.--Final Departure from the Sandwich Islands._
We got clear of the land about ten; and, hoisting in the boats, stood
to the northward, with an intention of searching for a harbour on the
S.E. side of Mowee, which we had heard frequently mentioned by the
natives. The next morning we found ourselves driven to leeward by a
heavy swell from the N.E., and a fresh gale springing up from the
same quarter, carried us still farther to the westward. At midnight we
tacked, and stood to the S. for four hours, in order to keep clear of
the land; and at day-break, we found ourselves standing toward a small
barren island, called Tahoorowa, which lies seven or eight miles to
the S.W. of Mowee.
All prospect of examining more nearly the S.E. parts of Mowee being
now destroyed, we bore away, and ran along the S.E. side of Tahoorowa.
As we were steering close round its western extremity, with an
intention of fetching the W. side of Mowee, we suddenly shoaled our
water, and observed the sea breaking on some detached rocks almost
right a-head. This obliged us to keep away a league and a half, when
we again steered to the northward; and, after passing over a bank,
with nineteen fathoms water, stood for a passage between Mowee and an
island called Ranai. At noon the latitude was by observation, 20° 42'
N., and the longitude 203° 22' E.; the southern extremity of Mowee
bearing E.S.E. 1/4 E.; the southern extremity of Ranai W.N.W. 1/4 W.;
Morotoi, N.W. and by N.; and the western extremity of Tahoorowa, S.
by E., seven miles distant. Our longitude was accurately deduced from
observations made by the time-keeper before and after noon, compared
with the longitude found by a great many distances of the moon from
the sun and stars, which were also observed the same day.
In the afternoon, the weather being calm, with light airs from the W.,
we stood on to the N.N.W.; but at sun-set, observing a shoal, which
appeared to stretch to a considerable distance from the W. point
of Mowee, toward the middle of the passage, and the weather being
unsettled, we tacked, and stood toward the S.
The S.W. side of this island, which we now had passed without being
able to get near the shore, forms the same distant view with the N.E.,
as seen on our return from the N., in November 1778; the mountainous
parts, which are connected by a low flat isthmus, appearing at first
like two separate islands. This deception continued on the S.W. side,
till we approached within eight or ten leagues of the coast, which,
bending inward to a great depth, formed a fine capacious bay. The
westernmost point, off which the shoal we have just mentioned runs, is
made remarkable by a small hillock, to the southward of which there
is a fine sandy bay, with several huts on the shore, and a number of
cocoa-nut trees growing about them.
During the course of the day, we were visited by several of the
natives, who came off to sell provisions, and we soon found that they
had heard of our late unfortunate transactions at Owhyhee. They were
very curious to learn the particulars from a woman who had concealed
herself on board the Resolution, in order to take her passage to
Atooi; enquiring eagerly after Pareea and some other chiefs, and
appearing much shocked at the death of Kaneena and his brother. We
had, however, the satisfaction to find that, in whatever light the
woman might have represented this business, it had no bad effect on
their behaviour, which was remarkably civil and submissive.
The weather continued variable during the night; but in the morning
of the 25th, having the wind at E., we ran along the S. side of Ranai,
till near noon; after which, we had calms and baffling winds till
evening, when we steered, with a light easterly breeze, for the W.
part of Morotoi. In the course of the day, the current, which, from
the time we left Karakakooa Bay, had set from the N.E., changed its
direction to the S.E.
During the night, the wind was again variable; but early next morning
it settled at E., and blew so fresh as to oblige us to double-reef
the top-sails. At seven, in hauling round the W. point of Morotoi, we
opened a small bay, at the distance of about two leagues, with a fine
sandy beach; but seeing no appearance of fresh water, we stood on to
the N., in order to get to the windward of Woahoo, an island which we
had seen at our first visit in January 1778.
At two in the afternoon, we saw the land bearing W. by N., eight
leagues distant; and having tacked as soon as it was dark, we again
bore away at day-light on the 27th; and at half-past ten, were within
a league of the shore, near the middle of the N.E. side of the island.
The coast to the northward is formed of detached hills, rising
perpendicularly from the sea, with ragged and broken summits, the
sides covered with wood, and the vallies between them of a fertile and
well-cultivated appearance. To the southward we saw an extensive bay,
bounded by a low point of land to the S.E., which was covered with
cocoa-nut trees, and off it stood a high insulated rock, about a
mile from the shore. The haziness of the weather prevented our seeing
distinctly the land to the southward of the point, we could only
perceive that it was high and broken.
As the wind continued to blow very fresh, we thought it dangerous to
entangle ourselves with a lee-shore, and therefore did not attempt to
examine the bay, but hauled up, and steered to the northward in the
direction of the coast. At noon, we were abreast of the N. point of
the island, about two leagues from the land, which is low and flat,
and has a reef stretching off it to the distance of near a mile and a
half. The latitude, by observation, 21° 50' N., longitude 202° 15' E.,
the extreme parts of the island in sight bearing S.S.E. 1/4 E., and
S.W. by S. 3/4 W.
Between the N. point and a distant head-land which we saw to the S.W.,
the land bends inward considerably, and appeared likely to afford a
good road. We therefore directed our course along the shore, at the
distance of about a mile, carrying regular soundings from twenty to
thirteen fathoms. At a quarter past two, the sight of a fine river,
running through a deep valley, induced us to come to an anchor in
thirteen fathoms water, with a sandy bottom; the extreme points of the
bay bearing S.W. by W. 1/2 W., and N.E. by E. 3/4 E., and the mouth of
the river S.E. 1/2 E., one mile distant. In the afternoon I attended
the two captains on shore, where we found but few of the natives, and
those mostly women; the men, they told us, were gone to Morotoi to
fight Tahyterree, but that their chief, Perreeoranee, who had stayed
behind, would certainly visit us as soon as he heard of our arrival.
We were much disappointed to find the water had a brackish taste for
two hundred yards up the river, owing to the marshy ground through
which it empties itself into the sea. Beyond this it was perfectly
fresh, and formed a fine running stream, along the side of which I
walked till I came to the conflux of two small rivulets, that branched
off to the right and left of a remarkably steep and romantic mountain.
The banks of this river, and indeed the whole we saw of the N.W. part
of Woahoo, are well cultivated, and full of villages; and the face of
the country is uncommonly beautiful and picturesque.
As the watering at this place would have been attended with great
labour, I was sent to examine the coast to leeward; but not being able
to land, on account of a reef of coral which stretched along the shore
to the distance of half a mile, Captain Clerke determined, without
farther loss of time, to proceed to Atooi. At eight in the morning we
weighed, and stood to the northward till day-light on the 28th, when
we bore away for that island, which we were in sight of by noon; and
about sun-set, were off its eastern extremity, which shews itself in a
fine green flat point.
It being too late to run for the road on the S.W. side of the island,
where we had been the last year, we passed the night in plying on and
off, and at nine the next morning, came to an anchor in twenty-five
fathoms water, and moored with the best bower in thirty-eight fathoms,
the bluff-head on the west side of the village, bearing N.E. by N. 3/4
E., two miles distant; the extremes of the island, N.W. by W. 3/4 W.,
and S.E. by E. 1/2 E.; the island Oneeheow W. by S. 1/2 W. In running
down to the road, from the S.E. point of the island, we saw the
appearance of shoal water in several places, at a considerable
distance from the land; and when we were about two miles to the
eastward of the anchoring-place, and two or three miles from the
shore, we got into four and a half fathoms water, although our
soundings had usually been seven and eight fathoms.
We had no sooner anchored in our old station, than several canoes came
along-side of us; but we could observe that they did not welcome us
with the same cordiality in their manner, and satisfaction in their
countenances, as when we were here before. As soon as they got on
board, one of the men began to tell us, that we had left a disorder
amongst their women, of which several persons of both sexes had died.
He was himself afflicted with the venereal disease, and gave a very
full and minute account of the various symptoms with which it had been
attended. As there was not the slightest appearance of that disorder
amongst them on our first arrival, I am afraid it is not to be denied
that we were the authors of this irreparable mischief.
Our principal object here was to water the ships with the utmost
expedition; and I was sent on shore early in the afternoon, with the
pinnace and launch laden with casks. The gunner of the Resolution
accompanied me to trade for provisions, and we had a guard of five
marines. We found a considerable number of people collected upon the
beach, who received us at first with great kindness; but as soon as
we got the casks on shore, began to be exceedingly troublesome. Former
experience having taught me how difficult it was to repress this
disposition, without having recourse to the authority of their chiefs,
I was very sorry to find that they were all at another part of the
island. Indeed we soon felt the want of their assistance; for it was
with great difficulty I was able to form a circle, according to our
usual practice, for the convenience and security of the trading party,
and had no sooner done it, and posted guards to keep off the crowd,
than I saw a man laying hold of the bayonet of one of the soldiers'
muskets, and endeavouring, with all his force, to wrench it out of his
hand. On my coming up to them, the native let go his hold and retired,
but returned in a moment, with a spear in one hand and a dagger in the
other; and his countrymen had much ado to restrain him from trying
his prowess with the soldier. This fray was occasioned by the latter's
having given the man a slight prick with his bayonet, in order to make
him keep without the line.
I now perceived that our situation required great circumspection and
management; and accordingly gave the strictest orders that no one
should fire, nor have recourse to any other act of violence, without
positive commands. As soon as I had given these directions, I was
called to the assistance of the watering party, where I found the
natives equally inclined to mischief. They had demanded from our
people a large hatchet for every cask of water, and this not being
complied with, they would not suffer the sailors to roll them down to
the boats.
I had no sooner joined them than one of the natives advanced up to me,
with great insolence, and made the same claim. I told him that, as a
friend, I was very willing to present him with a hatchet, but that I
should certainly carry off the water without paying any thing for
it; and I immediately ordered the pinnace men to proceed in their
business, and called three marines from the traders to protect them.
Though this shew of spirit succeeded so far as to make the natives
desist from any open attempt to interrupt us, they still continued to
behave in the most teazing and provoking manner. Whilst some of them,
under pretence of assisting the men in rolling down the casks, turned
them out of their course, and gave them a wrong direction; others were
stealing the hats from off the sailors' heads, pulling them backward
by their clothes, or tripping up their heels; the whole crowd,
all this time, shouting and laughing, with a strange mixture of
childishness and malice. They afterward found means to steal the
cooper's bucket, and took away his bag by force; but the objects
they were most eager to possess themselves of were the muskets of the
marines, who were every instant complaining of their attempts to force
them out of their hands. Though they continued, for the most part, to
pay great deference and respect to me, yet they did not suffer me to
escape without contributing my share to their stock of plunder. One
of them came up to me with a familiar air, and with great management
diverted my attention, whilst another, wrenching the hanger, which I
held carelessly in my hand, from me, ran off with it like lightning.
It was in vain to think of repelling this insolence by force; guarding
therefore against its effects, in the best manner we were able, we had
nothing to do but to submit patiently to it. My apprehensions were,
however, a little alarmed, by the information I soon after received
from the serjeant of marines, who told me that, turning suddenly
round, he saw a man behind me holding a dagger in the position of
striking. In this he might possibly be mistaken; yet our situation was
certainly alarming and critical, and the smallest error on our side
might have been fatal to us. As our people were separated into three
small parties, one at the lake filling casks; another rolling them
down to the shore; and the third, at some distance, purchasing
provisions; it had once occurred to me, that it might be proper to
collect them altogether, and to execute and protect one duty at a
time. But on second thoughts, I judged it more advisable to let them
continue as they were. In case of a real attack, our whole force,
however advantageously disposed, could have made but a poor
resistance. On the other hand, I thought it of some consequence to
shew the natives that we were under no fears; and, what was still more
material, the crowd was by this means kept divided, and a considerable
part of them fully employed in bartering provisions.
It is probable that their dread of the effects of our arms was the
principal cause of their backwardness in attacking us; and, indeed,
the confidence we appeared to place in this advantage, by opposing
only five marines to their whole force, must have raised in them a
very high idea of our superiority. It was our business to keep up this
opinion as much as possible; and in justice to the whole party, I must
observe, that no men could possibly behave better, for the purpose of
strengthening these impressions. Whatever could be taken in jest, they
bore with the utmost temper and patience; and whenever any serious
attempt was made to interrupt them, they opposed it with bold looks
and menaces. By this management we succeeded so far as to get all the
casks down to the water side without any material accident.
While we were getting them into the launch, the natives, perceiving
the opportunity of plundering would soon, be over, became every moment
more daring and insolent. On this occasion I was indebted to the
serjeant of marines, for suggesting to me the advantage that would
arise from sending off his party first into the boats; by which means
the muskets of the soldiers, which, as I have already mentioned, were
the objects the islanders had principally in view, would be removed
out of their reach; and in case of an attack, the marines themselves
might be employed more effectually in our defence, than if they were
on shore.
We had now got every thing into the boats, and only Mr Anderson the
gunner, a seaman of the boat's crew, and myself, remained on shore.
As the pinnace lay beyond the surf, through which we were obliged
to swim, I told them to make the best of their way to it, and that I
should follow them. With this order I was surprised to find them
both refuse to comply; and the consequence was a contest among us who
should be the last on shore. It seems that some hasty words I had just
before used to the sailor, which he thought reflected on his courage,
was the cause of this odd fancy in him; and the old gunner, finding a
point of honour started, thought he could not well avoid taking a part
in it. In this ridiculous situation we might have remained some time,
had not our dispute been soon settled by the stones that began to
fly about us, and by the cries of the people from the boats, to make
haste, as the natives were following us into the water with clubs
and spears. I reached the side of the pinnace first, and finding Mr
Anderson was at some distance behind, and not yet entirely out of
danger, I called out to the marines to fire one musket. In the hurry
of executing my orders, they fired two; and when I had got into the
boat I saw the natives running away, and one man, with a woman sitting
by him, left behind on the beach. The man made several attempts to
rise without being able; and it was with much regret, I perceived
him to be wounded in the groin. The natives soon after returned, and
surrounded the wounded man, brandishing their spears and daggers at
us, with an air of threatening and defiance; but before we reached
the ships, we saw some persons, whom we supposed to be the chiefs, now
arrived, driving them away from the shore.
During our absence, Captain Clerke had been under the greatest anxiety
for our safety. And these apprehensions were considerably increased,
from his having entirely mistaken the drift of the conversation he had
held with some natives who had been on board. The frequent mention
of the name of Captain Cook, with other strong and circumstantial
descriptions of death and destruction, made him conclude, that the
knowledge of the unfortunate events at Owhyhee had reached them, and
that these were what they alluded to; whereas all they had in view
was, to make known to him the wars that had arisen, in consequence of
the goats that Captain Cook had left at Oneeheow, and the slaughter
of the poor goats themselves, during the struggle for the property of
them. Captain Clerke, applying this earnestness of conversation, and
these terrible representations, to our calamitous transactions at
Owhyhee, and to an indication of revenge, kept his telescope fixed
upon us, and the moment he saw the smoke of the muskets, ordered the
boats to be manned and armed, and to put off to our assistance.
The next morning I was again ordered on shore, with the watering
party. The risk we had run the preceding day, determined Captain
Clerke to send a considerable force from both ships for our guard,
amounting in all to forty men under arms. This precaution, however,
was now unnecessary; for we found the beach left entirely to
ourselves, and the ground between the landing-place and the lake
_tabooed_ with small white flags. We concluded, from this appearance,
that some of the chiefs had certainly visited this quarter; and that
not being able to stay, they had kindly and considerately taken this
step, for our greater security and convenience. We saw several men
armed with long spears and daggers, on the other side of the river,
on our right; but they did not offer to give us the least molestation.
Their women came over, and sat down on the banks close by us, and at
noon we prevailed on some of the men to bring hogs and roots for our
people, and to dress them for us. As soon as we had left the beach,
they came down to the sea-side, and one of them threw a stone at us;
but his conduct seeming to be highly disapproved of by all the rest,
we did not think it proper to shew any resentment.
The next day we completed our watering, without meeting with any
material difficulty. On our return to the ships, we found that several
chiefs had been on board, and had made excuses for the behaviour of
their countrymen, attributing their riotous conduct to the quarrels
which subsisted at that time amongst the principal people of
the island, and which had occasioned a general want of order and
subordination amongst them. The government of Atooi was in dispute
between Toneoneo, who had the supreme power when we were here last
year, and a boy named Teavee. They are both, by different fathers,
the grandsons of Perreeorannee, king of Woahoo, who had given the
government of Atooi to the former, and that of Oneeheow to the latter.
The quarrel had arisen about the goats we had left at Oneeheow the
last year; the right of property in which was claimed by Toneoneo, on
the pretence of that island's being a dependency of his. The friends
of Teavee insisting on the right of possession, both parties prepared
to maintain their pretensions by force; and a few days before our
arrival, a battle had been fought, in which Toneoneo had been worsted.
The consequence of this victory was likely to affect Toneoneo in a
much deeper manner than by the mere loss of the objects in dispute;
for the mother of Teavee having married a second husband, who was
a chief of Atooi, and at the head of a powerful faction there, he
thought that the present opportunity was not to be neglected, of
driving Toneoneo entirely out of the island, and of advancing his
son-in-law to the government. I have already had occasion to mention,
that the goats, which had increased to the number of six, and would
probably in a few years have stocked all these islands, were destroyed
in the contest.
On the 4th, the mother and sister of the young prince and his
father-in-law, with many other chiefs of that party, came on board the
Resolution, and made several curious and valuable presents to Captain
Clerke. Amongst the former, were some fish-hooks, which they assured
us were made of the bones of our old friend Terreeoboo's father, who
had been killed in an unsuccessful descent upon the island of Woahoo;
and a fly-flap, presented to him by the prince's sister, the handle
of which was a human bone, that had been given her as a trophy by her
father-in-law. Young Teavee was not of the company, being engaged, as
we were told, in performing some religious ceremonies, in consequence
of the victory he had obtained, which were to last twenty days.
This and the two following days were employed on shore, in completing
the Discovery's water; and the carpenters were busy on board, in
caulking the ships, and in making other preparations for our next
cruise. The natives desisted from giving us any further disturbance,
and we procured from them a plentiful supply of pork and vegetables.
At this time, an Indian brought a piece of iron on board the
Discovery, to be fashioned into the shape of a _pahooah_. It was
carefully examined both by the officers and men, and appeared to be
the bolt of some large ship-timbers. They were not able to discover to
what nation it belonged; but from the pale colour[1] of the iron, and
its not corresponding in shape to our bolts, they concluded that it
certainly was not English. This led them to make a strict enquiry of
the native, when and where he got it; and, if they comprehended him
right, it had been taken out of a piece of timber, larger than the
cable-bit, to which he pointed. This piece of wood, they farther
understood from, him, to have been driven upon their island, since we
were here in January 1778.
[Footnote 1: It was evident, that the iron we found in possession of
the natives at Nootka Sound, and which was mostly made into knives,
was of a much paler sort than ours.]
On the 7th, we were surprised with a visit from Toneoneo. When
he heard the dowager-princess was in the ship, it was with great
difficulty we could prevail on him to come on board, not from any
apprehension that he appeared to entertain of his safety, but from an
unwillingness to see her. Their meeting was with sulky and lowering
looks on both sides. He staid but a short time, and seemed much
dejected; but we remarked, with some surprise, that the women, both at
his coming and going way, prostrated themselves before him; and that
he was treated by all the natives on board with the respect
usually paid to those of his rank. Indeed, it must appear somewhat
extraordinary, that a person who was at this time in a state of actual
hostility with Teavee's party, and was even prepared for another
battle, should trust himself almost alone within the power of his
enemies. It is therefore to be observed, that the civil dissentions,
which are very frequent throughout all the South-Sea Islands, seem to
be carried on without much acrimony or bloodshed; and that the deposed
governor still continues to enjoy the rank of an _Eree_, and is left
to make use of such means as may arise for the regaining his lost
consequence. But I shall have occasion to speak more particularly on
this subject in the next section; in which the best account will be
given, which we were able to collect, of the political state of those
countries.
On the 8th, at nine in the morning, we weighed, and sailed toward
Oneeheow; and at three in the afternoon anchored in twenty fathoms
water, nearly on the same spot as in the year 1778. We moored with the
other anchor in twenty-six fathoms water. The high bluff, on the south
end of the island, bore E.S.E.; the north point of the road, N. 1/2 E;
and a bluff head to the south of it, N.E. by N. During the night, we
had a strong gale from the eastward; and, in the morning of the 9th,
found the ship had driven a whole cable's length, and brought both
anchors almost ahead. We shortened in the best bower-cable; but the
wind blowing too fresh to unmoor, we were obliged to remain this and
the two following days with the anchors still ahead.
On the 12th, the weather being moderate, the master was sent to the
north-west side of the island, to look for a more convenient place for
anchoring. He returned in the evening, having found, close round the
west point of the road where we now lay, which is also the westernmost
point of the island, a fine bay, with good anchorage, in eighteen
fathoms water, a clear sandy bottom, not a mile from the beach, on
which the surf beats, but not so as to hinder landing. The direction
of the points of the bay were N. by E., and S. by W.; and, in that
line, the soundings seven, eight, and nine fathoms. On the north
side of the bay was a small village; and a quarter of a mile to the
eastward were four small wells of good water; the road to them level,
and fit for rolling casks. Mr Bligh went afterward so far to the
north as to satisfy himself, that Oreehoua was a separate island from
Oneeheow, and that there was a passage between them, which before we
only conjectured to exist.
In the afternoon we hoisted in all the boats, and made ready for going
to sea in the morning.
END OF VOLUME SIXTEENTH.