It will be remembered that Captain Cook landed in England on July 30,
1775. He at once received well-merited acknowledgments of the services
he had rendered to his country. On August 9 he received post rank, and
three days afterwards was nominated a Captain in Greenwich Hospital, an
appointment that would have enabled him to spend the remainder of his
days in honourable retirement. In February of the following year he was
elected a Fellow of the Royal Society; and on the evening of his
admission, March 7, a paper was read, in which he gave a full account of
the various means he had adopted for the preservation of the health of
his crew.
The importance of this paper, and the way in which it was received, will
be best understood by those who have read accounts of Lord Anson's and
other voyages, where the scurvy made fearful havoc among the ship's
companies. In consequence of this paper, it was resolved by Sir John
Pringle, the President of the Council of the Society, to bestow on
Captain Cook the gold medal known as the Copley Annual Medal, for the
best experimental paper of the year. Cook was already on his third
voyage before the medal was bestowed, though he was aware of the honour
intended him; and his wife had the pleasure of receiving it.
Sir John Pringle's words are worthy of repetition. Having pointed out
the means by which Captain Cook, with a company of a hundred and
eighteen men, performed a voyage of three years and eighteen days, in
all climates, with the loss of only one man from sickness, he proceeds!
"I would now inquire of those most conversant with the study of the
bills of mortality, whether, in the most healthful climate, and in the
best conditions of life, they have ever found so small a number of
deaths within that space of time. How great and agreeable, then, must
our surprise be, after perusing the histories of long navigations in
former days, when so many perished by marine diseases, to find the air
of the sea acquitted of all malignity; and, in fine, that a voyage round
the world may be undertaken with less danger, perhaps, to health, than a
common tour in Europe." He concludes: "For if Rome decreed the civic
crown to him who saved the life of a single citizen, what wreaths are
due to that man who, having himself saved many, perpetuates in your
Transactions the means by which Britain may now, on the most distant
voyages, preserve numbers of her intrepid sons--her mariners, who,
braving every danger, have so liberally contributed to the fame, to the
opulence, and to the maritime empire of their country?"
This address ought to be read by all British shipowners and
ship-masters. They possess ample means of preventing the approach of
the scurvy, and yet numerous vessels, even at the present day, return
home with a portion of their crews suffering from that fearful scourge.
The masters must exert themselves, must take some trouble in the matter,
no doubt; but if they will not do so, if they will not take an interest
in the welfare of their men, they are unfit to command ships; they are a
disgrace to their honourable profession.
Among those who reached England in the Adventure, with Captain Furneaux,
was Omai, the native of Ulietea. Captain Cook did not approve at the
time of the selection Captain Furneaux had made, as Omai did not belong
to the chiefs, nor to the priestly class, while in appearance and
intelligence he was inferior to many of his countrymen. Oedidee, who
had been received on board the Resolution, had, it will be remembered,
been left behind at Ulietea, Cook fearing that he might have no other
opportunity of restoring the youth to his native island. Both seem to
have been inferior to Tupia, who died at Batavia. However, Omai, as the
first native of the South Sea Islands who had been seen in England, was
made a great deal of by people of all ranks. He was introduced to
George the Third, who settled on him a pension while he remained in
England. He had his portrait painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Cowper
mentions him in one of his poems, while he was constantly in the society
of Dr Johnson, Madame d'Arblay, Sir Joseph Banks, Dr Burney, Lord
Sandwich, Lord Mulgrave, Granville Sharpe, and many other illustrious
persons. The power of imitation is strong among his people, and he,
therefore, very quickly copied the manners of the people with whom he
associated, and became, in appearance, a polished gentleman.
He very slowly acquired a knowledge of English; indeed, he always
required the aid of signs and gestures to express himself.
In vain was much trouble expended in trying to teach him to write, by
Mr Sharpe, who also endeavoured, with no better success, to instruct
him in the principles of Christianity. Such was Omai, a dark-minded
savage, amidst civilisation and enlightenment. His great desire seems
to have been to obtain the means of successfully waging war with the men
of Bolabola, of expelling them from Ulietea, and of regaining possession
of his hereditary property. It is with regret that we read this account
of the miserable Omai, when we reflect how eagerly and how thoroughly
many of his fellow-islanders in after years imbibed the principles of
the Christian faith, and how steadfastly they have held to them, in all
simplicity and purity. Had Omai--like the Ethiopian eunuch of other
days--but embraced with all his heart the truths of the Gospel, and
returned to his native land, carrying with him the glad tidings of
salvation to his benighted countrymen, the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God might have been spread throughout the islands of the
Pacific even then.
For two centuries a strong desire had existed in England, among people
interested in navigation, to discover a passage by the north-west, round
the coast of North America into the Pacific, so that China and Japan and
the East Indies might be reached by a route shorter than that by the
Cape of Good Hope. All the early expeditions had been undertaken by
private enterprise, to encourage which, an Act of Parliament was passed
in 1745, securing a reward of 20,000 pounds to any ship belonging to any
of his Majesty's subjects, which should discover the passage. Often was
the attempt made by numerous bold adventurers, from Frobisher, in 1576,
onwards to the time of which we are writing. In the middle of the
century public interest was again awakened by the exertions of Mr
Dobbs, who was strongly impressed with the belief that a north-west
passage could be found. Captain Middleton was sent out by Government in
1741, and Captains Smith and Moore in 1746. In 1773, at the instigation
of the Hon. Daines Barrington, an influential member of the Royal
Society, Lord Sandwich sent out Captain Phipps (afterwards Lord
Mulgrave) with the Racehorse and Carcase. Captain Lutwidge commanded
the latter vessel, and had on board a young boy--Nelson, the future
naval hero. Captain Phipps returned, unable to penetrate the wall of
ice which barred his progress.
Still, that a passage existed, and might be found, was the belief of
many enlightened men, and the Admiralty came to the resolution of
sending out another expedition, better prepared than former ones to
encounter the difficulties to be met with. Lord Sandwich very naturally
desired to have Captain Cook's opinion on the subject, and his lordship
accordingly invited him to meet Sir Hugh Palliser, Mr Stephens, and
others at dinner, where it might freely be discussed.
The importance and grandeur of the undertaking, and, should it be
successful, the great advantage it would be to navigation and science,
thus completing the circuit of discoveries made by Cook, were
particularly dwelt on. When it came to the point of fixing on a fit
person to recommend to his Majesty to command the proposed expedition,
Captain Cook started to his feet, and declared that he himself was ready
to take the command.
This was probably what Lord Sandwich desired. Cook's offer was eagerly
accepted, and he was appointed to the command of the expedition on
February 10, 1776. It was arranged that on his return to England he
should be restored to his post at Greenwich. An Act was also at once
passed, by which the officers and ship's company of any of his Majesty's
ships discovering the north-west passage would be able to claim the
reward of 20,000 pounds offered in 1745 only to persons not in the Royal
Navy. The usual plan of search was to be reversed, and instead of
commencing on the Atlantic side of America, and endeavouring to
penetrate into the Pacific, the expedition was to proceed round Cape
Horn, and then sailing north, attempt to work its way through Behring's
Straits eastward into the Atlantic.
Two vessels were fixed on for the intended service, the Resolution and
the Discovery. The command of the former was given to Captain Cook,
with Mr Gore as his first lieutenant, and of the other to Captain
Clerke, while Lieutenant King went out again as second lieutenant of the
Resolution. He had undertaken to make the necessary astronomical and
nautical observations during the voyage, in conjunction with his
captain, and for this purpose various instruments were entrusted to him.
Mr Bayley was again appointed as astronomer, to sail on board Captain
Clerke's ship, while Mr Anderson, the surgeon of the Resolution, took
charge of the department of natural history. An artist, Mr Webber, was
selected to sail on board the Resolution, and to make sketches of any
scenes of interest which might be met with.
Every care and attention was paid to the fitting-out of the ships, and
some months passed before they were ready for sea. The officers of the
Resolution were John Gore, James King, and John Williamson, lieutenants;
William Bligh, Master; William Anderson, surgeon; Molesworth Philips,
lieutenant Royal Marines: those of the Discovery were James Burney, John
Rickham, lieutenants; Thomas Edgar, master; John Law, surgeon. The
latter vessel, which had been purchased into the service, was of three
hundred tons burden.
An ample supply of all the articles which past experience had shown were
likely to preserve the health of the crews was put on board these
vessels, as well as an abundance of warm clothing. By desire of the
King, several useful animals, which were to be left at the Society or
other islands, for the benefit of the natives, were embarked, with
fodder for their support. There were two cows and their calves, a bull,
and several sheep. Others were to be purchased at the Cape. The
captain was also furnished with a large variety of European garden
seeds, for distribution among the inhabitants of newly-discovered
islands. He received, besides, by order of the Board of Admiralty, many
articles calculated to improve the condition of the natives of the
islands of the Pacific, while, for the purposes of traffic, a large
assortment of iron tools, trinkets, and other articles were sent on
board. Nothing, indeed, was omitted which it was thought likely would
benefit the people to be visited, or would promote the success of the
voyage. As it was not probable that another opportunity would occur of
restoring Omai to his native island, it was settled that he should
return in the Resolution. It was supposed that this semi-civilised, and
still heathen, savage had become so impressed with the grandeur and
power of England, and so grateful for the patronage he had enjoyed and
the presents he had received, that he would (as a writer of the day
expresses it) "be rendered an instrument of conveying to the inhabitants
of the Pacific Ocean the most exalted ideas of the greatness and
generosity of the British nation." How completely these hopes were
disappointed the following narrative will show; nor should we be
surprised at this, when we recollect how entirely superficial were all
poor Omai's accomplishments. He appears to have learned to play very
well at chess; but that seems to have been the only science in which he
attained anything like proficiency. The truth is, he had been made a
lion of, and had been courted and petted by the rank and fashion of the
day. It would not have been surprising if his head had been turned.
Possibly, a man of superior mind or quicker sensibilities might have
been powerfully affected by the same amount of flattery. On being told
that he was to go, he could scarcely refrain from tears when he spoke of
parting from his English friends, but his eyes immediately sparkled with
pleasure when his native islands were mentioned.
Captain Cook received the secret instructions for his guidance on July
6, 1776. His chief object was to find a passage from the Pacific into
the Atlantic. He was to leave the Cape of Good Hope early in November,
and first to search for certain islands said to have been seen by the
French, south of the Mauritius. He was not to spend much time in
looking for them, nor in examining them if found, but to proceed to
Otaheite, touching at New Zealand, should he consider it necessary to
refresh his crews. Thence he was to proceed direct to the coast of New
Albion, avoiding, if possible, any Spanish settlements; or should it be
necessary to touch at any, to take great care not to excite the jealousy
or ill-will of the Spaniards. Arrived in the Frozen Ocean, he was to
examine all channels and inlets likely to lead eastward, and to take
possession of any territory on which he might land, not before
discovered, with the consent of the natives, in the name of the King of
Great Britain. He was to winter at the Russian settlement of Saint
Peter and Saint Paul in Kamtschatka, and to return in the spring to the
north. Each ship was supplied with a small vessel in frame, which was
to be set up, if necessary, to prosecute the search for a passage along
the northern coast of America.
Although numerous expeditions have since been sent out, they have mostly
commenced their operations on the Atlantic side of America; and it is
remarkable that the only successful one, that of Captain McClure, in the
Investigator, and Captain Collinson, in the Enterprise, in the years
1850-53, entered the Frozen Sea on the Pacific side. [Note 1.] Captain
McClure had, however, to abandon his ship, and to make the voyage over
the ice, till he could join one of the ships sent up Baffin's Bay to his
relief; while Captain Collinson, getting his ship free from the ice,
returned westward by the way he had come. The question of a north-west
passage was thus solved in the affirmative; but, unless in some very
exceptional case, it is shown to be impracticable and useless for all
commercial purposes. It is easy to conceive what would have been the
fate of Cook's ships had they proceeded eastward, and there become beset
by the ice.
Captain Cook, with Omai in his company, joined his ship on June 24,
1776, at Sheerness, and immediately sailed for Plymouth. He did not
leave that port till July 11, and, owing to contrary winds, did not take
his departure from the Scilly Isles till the 16th.
The Discovery remained at Plymouth, Captain Clerke not having yet
arrived on board. He was directed to proceed, as soon as he was ready
for sea, to the Cape of Good Hope, there to join the Resolution.
Captain Cook touched at Teneriffe, where he found an abundance of
supplies, and sailed again on August 4. On the evening of the 10th,
Bonavista, one of the Cape de Verde Islands, was seen bearing south,
little more than a league off, though at the time it was supposed that
the ship was at a much greater distance from the land. Just then
breakers were discovered directly under her lee, and for a few minutes
she was in great danger. She happily just weathered them, and stood for
Porto Praya, where it was expected the Discovery might be. As she was
not there, the Resolution did not go in, but continued her course to the
Cape. On September 1 the line was crossed, and the usual ceremonies
were observed; on October 18 the ship anchored in Table Bay. Here
arrangements were at once made to obtain a supply of fresh bread and
other provisions, which, as soon as ready, were conveyed on board, while
the tents were set up on shore, and astronomical observations diligently
carried on. Meantime, the ship was caulked, which she much required.
On the evening of the 31st a fearful gale tore the tents to pieces, and
some of the instruments narrowly escaped serious injury. No
communication with the Resolution was possible for those on shore.
She was the only ship in the harbour which rode out the gale without
dragging her anchors.
On November 10 the Discovery entered the bay. She had sailed on August
1, and would have come in a week sooner but had been blown off the coast
by the late gale. She also required caulking, which detained the
expedition some time.
On November 30 the two ships sailed together. The Resolution had now on
board, in addition to her former stock of animals, two bulls and two
heifers, two horses and two mares, two rams, several ewes and goats, and
some rabbits and poultry--all of them intended for New Zealand,
Otaheite, and the neighbouring islands, or other places where there
might be a prospect of their proving useful. The course steered was
about south-east. Before long a heavy squall carried away the
Resolution's mizzen-topmast; and a mountainous sea made the ship roll so
much that it was with difficulty the animals on board could be
preserved. Owing to this, and to the cold, several goats and sheep
died.
On December 12 two islands were seen about five leagues apart. These,
with four others which lie in the same latitude, about nine degrees of
longitude more to the east, were discovered by two French navigators in
1772. Cook now bestowed the name of Prince Edward's Island on the two
he had just discovered, and those of the French officers on the four
others. They were mostly covered with snow, and where the ground seemed
free from it lichen or a coarse grass was the only herbage.
On leaving Prince Edward's Island a course was shaped to fall in with
Kerguelen's Land. On the evening of the 24th an island of considerable
height and the next day other islands were seen. As the ships ranged
along the coast a terrific sea rolled in on the shore, placing them in
great danger, and both had considerable difficulty in weathering the
points and reefs they met with. Though it was midsummer the weather was
as cold as it is generally during the winter in the British Channel. At
last a harbour was discovered, into which the ships beat and found good
anchorage, an abundance of water, innumerable penguins and other birds,
as also seals, which were so unacquainted with human beings that they
allowed themselves to be knocked on the head without attempting to
escape. The casks were immediately landed to be filled up with water,
while a supply of seals was secured for the sake of their oil. Not a
tree nor shrub was to be found in this inhospitable region. A bottle
was brought to Captain Cook, containing a document left by Kerguelen,
who had discovered this land at the end of 1773, and had taken
possession of it in the name of the King of France. The harbour in
which the ships lay was called Christmas Harbour, in commemoration of
the day on which they entered it. The ships left this harbour on the
morning of the 28th, and continued to range along the coast, in order to
discover its position and extent. They brought up in another harbour
just in time to escape a heavy gale, and then proceeded to the south,
towards Cape George, to determine the shape of the land. On finally
leaving it, on December 30, the ships steered east-by-north for New
Zealand. Captain Cook came to the conclusion that the land he had just
left was a large island, seventy or eighty miles from north to south,
and a much greater distance from east to west. Captain Furneaux had, in
1773, passed across the meridian of this land, only seventeen leagues to
the south of Cape George, thus settling the point of its being an
island.
It seems to have been a mistake to send the ships into these inclement
regions with cattle on board, as many died, among them two young bulls
and a heifer, two rams, and several more of the goats.
The weather continued so thick that for many days together the ships did
not see each other, though by constantly firing guns they managed to
keep in company. At length Captain Cook determined to put into
Adventure Bay, in Van Diemen's Land, where Captain Furneaux had touched
on the former voyage. The land was made on January 24, and on the 26th
the ships brought up in the bay. They expected to obtain a supply of
wood for fuel, and of grass for the cattle, of which they stood greatly
in need. A supply of fish was caught, and plenty of grass brought on
board. While the party on shore were cutting wood some natives
appeared. They came forward with perfect confidence, only one having a
lance in his hand. They were entirely without clothes, their skin and
hair black, their stature about the ordinary height, their figures
rather slender. Their features were not disagreeable, as they had
neither very thick lips nor flat noses, while their eyes and teeth were
good. Most of them had their heads and beards smeared with a red
ointment, while some had their faces painted with the same composition.
They seemed indifferent to all the presents offered them; even bread and
fish they threw away, till some birds were given them, at which they
expressed their satisfaction.
A boar and sow had been landed for the purpose of being left in the
woods, but no sooner did the natives see them than they seized them by
the ears, evidently with the intention of carrying them off and killing
them. Captain Cook, wishing to know the use of the stick one of them
carried, the native set up a mark and threw his stick at it. He missed
it, however, so often, that Omai, to show the superiority of the white
men's arms, fired his musket. This very naturally made the whole party
ran off, and drop some axes and other things which had been given to
them. They ran towards where the Adventure's people were cutting wood,
when the officer, not knowing their intention, fired a musket over their
heads, which sent them off altogether. The boar and sow were carried to
a thick wood at the head of the bay, where it was hoped that they would
conceal themselves and escape the natives; but some cattle which it had
been intended to leave there were returned on board, as it was clear
that the natives would immediately kill them.
A calm kept the ships in harbour, and the next day, notwithstanding the
fright which the natives had received, a party of twenty or more, men
and boys, made their appearance. Among them was one terribly deformed,
who seemed to be the acknowledged wit of the party, as he and his
friends laughed heartily at the remarks he made, and seemed surprised
that the English did not do the same. Their language was different from
that of the tribes met with in the north. Some of these people had
bands of fur passed several times round their necks, and others of
kangaroo-skin round their ankles. They seemed to be unacquainted with
fishing, by the way they looked at the English fish-hooks, and their
rejection of the fish offered them; though near their fires quantities
of mussel shells were found, showing that they lived partly on
shell-fish. Their habitations were mere sheds of sticks covered with
bark, and there were indications of their taking up their abodes in
trees hollowed out by fire or decay. From the marks of fires it was
evident that they cooked their food, but they did not appear to have the
slightest notion of cultivating the land. The people here described
have disappeared from the face of the earth. The last remnant, who had
become exceedingly ferocious and mischievous, were collected and carried
to an island in Bass's Straits, where they were allowed to roam at
large, it having been found impossible to tame them. It is believed
that they finally died out. Mr Anderson records the beauty of the
scenery and of the climate, though he remarks that not one single
natural production could be found fit for the food of man.
The ships left Adventure Bay on January 30, when soon afterwards the
mercury in the barometer fell, and a furious gale began to blow from the
south. At the same time the heat became almost insupportable, the
mercury in the thermometer rising from 70 degrees to near 90 degrees.
This high temperature, however, did not last long.
On February 12 the ships anchored in Queen Charlotte's Sound. That no
time might be lost, the tents for the observatory, with the usual guard
and the water-casks, were landed, and operations were immediately
commenced. Before long several canoes came alongside, but few of the
people in them would venture on board, the greater part being evidently
afraid that the English would punish them for their murder of the
Adventure's people. Captain Cook recognised several of those with whom
he was well acquainted during his former visits. They must also have
seen Omai, and remembered that he was on board the Adventure at the
time, and thus known that Captain Cook could no longer have been
ignorant of what had occurred. He, however, did his best to make them
understand that he was not come to punish them for that act, and that he
wished to be friends with them as before. In consequence of this the
natives very soon laid aside restraint and distrust. After the fearful
experience he had had of their treachery, however, the captain took
extra precautions to prevent a surprise. While the people were engaged
in their various occupations on shore, a guard was posted for their
protection, while all the men worked with their arms by their sides, Mr
King and two or three petty officers being constantly with them. No
boat was sent to a distance unless well armed, and under charge of an
officer who could be depended on. Captain Cook thinks that the
precautions were probably unnecessary though he felt it his duty to take
them. The natives showed no fear, and came and built their huts close
to the ship, and many employed themselves in fishing, exchanging the
fish they caught for the usual articles of barter.
Besides the natives who settled near them, chiefs from other parts
frequently visited the ship. Among them came a chief called Kahoora,
who was pointed out as the leader of those who attacked the crew of the
Adventure's boat, and was said actually to have killed Mr Rowe, the
officer in command. Greatly to the surprise of the natives, as also to
that of Omai, who entreated that he might at once be killed, Captain
Cook declined seizing him, saying that he had granted an amnesty, and
that no one should be punished. Kahoora, trusting to the captain's
promise, came frequently on board, though by thus doing he placed
himself entirely in the hands of the English. Once only, when Omai
accused him in the cabin of having killed Mr Rowe, he hung down his
head and folded his arms, expecting instant death, but was soon
reassured by the captain, who told him that he wished to forget the
circumstance, though should a similar one occur the natives must expect
the fearful vengeance of the English. He says that had he listened to
the suggestions and requests of the chiefs and others to kill their
enemies, he should soon have extirpated the whole race. In no country
could life be much more insecure. Tribes, and even families living in
the same neighbourhood, were constantly fighting with each other, and
war was carried on with the utmost cruelty and ferocity. If a man was
unable to revenge an injury inflicted on himself or any member of his
family, it was the duty of his son to take up the quarrel, and often
many years elapsed before an opportunity occurred of wreaking his
long-delayed vengeance. When such an opportunity arrived he and his
companions stole on their unsuspecting enemies in the night, and if they
found them unguarded they killed every one indiscriminately, not even
sparing women or children. When the massacre was completed they either
made a horrid banquet of the slain on the spot, or carried off as many
dead bodies as they could, and devoured them at home, with acts of
brutality too shocking to be described. As they never gave quarter nor
took prisoners the defeated party could only save their lives by flight.
More powerful chiefs made war in the same barbarous way, on a larger
scale, and depopulated whole districts if the people offended them. On
the introduction of firearms the bloody work went on with still greater
rapidity. In the time of George the Fourth a chief who was taken to
England and received at Buckingham Palace, and was looked upon as a
highly civilised person, on his return exchanged at Sydney all the
articles which had been given him for firearms and ammunition, and
immediately commenced a war of extermination against all the surrounding
tribes, and feasted without scruple on the bodies of his foes. It is
not surprising that, under such circumstances, two-thirds of the
inhabitants of New Zealand have been, within the last century, swept
away by warfare. The process of extermination had, indeed, commenced
long before Cook visited those shores, and it would probably ere now
have completed its ravages had not the Christian Church been roused to a
sense of its responsibilities, and conveyed to New Zealand, as to other
lands, the knowledge of Him who teaches us by His Word and Spirit to
love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, and to do good to those
who despitefully use us and persecute us.
The wandering propensities of the New Zealanders were shown by the
desire expressed by several youths of embarking on board the ships.
One, named Taweiharooa, eighteen years of age, the son of a dead chief,
was selected to accompany Omai, who had been desirous of having a
companion. That Taweiharooa might be sent off in a way becoming his
rank, a boy, Kokoa, of about ten years of age, to act as his servant,
was presented by his own father with as much indifference as he would
have parted with a dog. It was clearly explained to the youths that
they would probably never return to their native country, but, as Cook
observes, so great was the insecurity of life in New Zealand at that
time, that he felt no compunction in the matter, as the lads could
scarcely fail to improve their lot by the change.
The ships left Queen Charlotte's Sound on February 25. No sooner had
they lost sight of land than the New Zealand adventurers were seized
with sea-sickness, which, giving a turn to their thoughts, made them
bitterly lament what they had done, while they expressed their feelings
in a sort of song which they continued to sing till they got better. By
degrees their lamentations ceased, and in a short time their native
country and friends seemed to be forgotten, and they appeared as firmly
attached to their new friends as if they had been born among them.
On March 29, 1777, the Discovery made the signal of land in the
north-east. It was soon found to be an island of no great extent, and
the night was spent standing off and on, in the hope that the next day a
landing-place might be found. No landing nor anchorage, however,
appeared practicable, on account of the heavy surf which broke
everywhere, either against the island or the reef which surrounded it.
Before long a number of people appeared on the shore or wading to the
reef, most of them nearly naked, except the usual girdle, brandishing
spears and clubs. Some of them had mantles of native cloth over their
shoulders, and turbans or wrappers round their heads. After a time a
canoe was launched, and came off with two natives to the ship. When
presents were offered, they asked for some for their Eatooa before they
would accept any for themselves. Omai spoke to them in the tongue of
Otaheite, which they perfectly understood. The principal man said that
his name was Monrooa, and that the island was called Mangaia. His
colour was that of most southern Europeans; he was stout and well made,
and his features were agreeable. The other man was not so good-looking.
Both of them had strong, straight black hair, tied at the crown of the
head. They wore sandals, to protect their feet from the coral rocks.
The men would not venture on board, but when the boats were lowered and
stood towards the shore to find a landing-place, Monrooa stepped into
Captain Cook's of his own accord, and took his seat by his side. No
landing could be found without the risk of swamping the boats; they
therefore returned, and Monrooa came on board. He was, evidently, too
anxious about his safety to ask questions. At last he stumbled over one
of the goats, when he inquired eagerly of Omai what strange bird that
was! The boat conveyed him just outside the surf, when he leaped
overboard and swam through it, his countrymen being seen eagerly
gathering round him to receive accounts of what he had seen. Cook says
he left that fine island with regret, as it seemed capable of supplying
all their wants. [Note 2.]
Mangaia was left on March 30, and the next day, at noon, two islands
were seen--a large and a small one. The following day the shore of the
larger island was reached, and boats at once put off to try and find a
landing-place. At the same time several canoes came from the shore,
with one man in each. The natives stepped on board without showing
fear, but seemed to value very little any of the gifts bestowed on them.
After the first party had gone, a man arrived in a canoe, bringing a
bunch of plantains as a present to Captain Cook, whose name he had
learned from Omai. This present had been sent by the principal chief.
The bearer went away, well contented, with an axe and a piece of red
cloth. Not long after a double canoe approached the Resolution, with
twelve men in her, who chanted in chorus, and when their song was
finished they came alongside and asked for the chief. On the captain's
showing himself a pig and some cocoanuts were handed up the side, and
the natives coming on board presented some pieces of matting in
addition. Though the natives expressed surprise at some of the things
they saw, nothing seemed to fix their attention. They were afraid of
the horses and cows, and inquired, when they saw the goats, as the
native of Mangaia had done, what sort of birds they were.
The following day Mr Gore and Mr Barney, with Mr Anderson and Omai,
went on shore in hope of obtaining food for the cattle. The boats
approached the surf, when some canoes came off and took the party
through it. The day passed on, and as they did not return Captain Cook
became somewhat uneasy; his only comfort being that the natives
continued to come off to the ship as before, bringing cocoanuts, and
taking anything given them in return. Late in the day the boats
returned; it then appeared that the party had been conducted, amid a
vast crowd, up an avenue of cocoa palms, till they reached a body of men
drawn up in two rows, armed with clubs resting on their shoulders. In
the middle row was a chief, sitting cross-legged on the ground, and
having bunches of red feathers in his ears. They were then introduced
to two other chiefs, one, though a young man, excessively corpulent,
also distinguished by the red feathers, and they were then entertained
by a dance, performed by twenty girls, all of whom wore red feathers.
The dancers did not leave the spot where they stood, for though their
feet moved up and down the dance consisted of various motions of the
body and hands. The visitors were next entertained by a sham fight
between the men armed with clubs. They now found themselves separated
from each other, and pressed on by the crowd, while they had their
pockets picked of every article they possessed, the chiefs not
interfering. Their position was sufficiently embarrassing, for whenever
they tried to get back to the boats they were stopped. Omai, meantime,
who was by himself, surrounded by a crowd of natives, and equally
anxious with the rest, described, in exaggerated terms, the power of the
English guns, which, he affirmed, could blow the whole island to pieces.
He had some cartridges in his pocket, and to prove his assertion he let
several of them off together. The sudden flash and report seem to have
produced a great effect on the minds of the natives, as the party were
sent off with a large supply of cooked plantains as a gift; and a bag
containing a pistol, which Mr Anderson particularly required, was
restored.
Omai found on this island three of his own countrymen who had arrived
there, eleven years before, in a canoe. They were the survivors of a
party of twenty persons who had been driven before the wind from
Otaheite, distant at least two hundred leagues. They declined a passage
offered to them to return to their native island. The circumstance was
interesting as giving an example of the way the islands of the Pacific
have been peopled. The name of this island was Wateeoo. The language
was equally well understood by Omai and the two New Zealanders.
Though the visit was an interesting one, the chief object in calling off
the island (that of procuring provender for the cattle) was not
attained, as nothing was sent off. From the small island which had been
seen three days before, and to which the ships now steered, all that was
required was obtained, consisting of grass and leaves of young cocoanut
trees and of the pandanus. Though the island, called Ota Kootaia, was
uninhabited, still, as it was occasionally visited by the natives of the
neighbouring island, Mr King left an axe and some nails in payment for
what he took away.
Captain Cook next sailed for Hervey Island, which he had supposed, when
he discovered it in 1773, to be uninhabited. As he now approached,
however, a number of canoes came off, but the people on board behaved in
a very wild and disorderly manner. They were of a darker colour than
the neighbouring islanders, and of a fiercer expression of countenance.
As no anchorage was found for the ships they stood away for Palmerston's
Island, which was found to be thickly covered with cocoanut trees,
pandanus, cabbage palm, and grass. The ships stood off and on for three
days, while four or five boats' crews were busily employed in cutting
food for the cattle, and in collecting two thousand cocoanuts for the
crews of the two ships. On leaving Palmerston's Island a course was
steered for Annamook, and on the night between April 24 and 25, Savage
Island was passed.
On the evening of the 28th the ships anchored off Komango, and the next
morning canoes came off with all sorts of provisions. Mr King, who
went on shore, was treated very civilly by the inhabitants, and by two
chiefs, Taipa and Toobou. As it was important to find a good harbour,
and no other, after two days' search, having been discovered, Captain
Cook came to anchor in the spot where he had been three years before.
Here the chief Toobou received him, and offered a boat, and also a house
to serve as a tent; at the same time he promptly selected a spot where
the observatories might be set up and other arrangements made. He
conducted the captain and Omai to his house. Round it was a fine
grass-plot, which he explained was for the purpose of enabling people to
clean their feet before entering the house. The floor was covered with
mats, and no carpet in an English drawing-room could be kept cleaner.
Taipa, the chief, who had been among the first to introduce himself,
that he might be close to his new friends, had a house brought on men's
shoulders, full a quarter of a mile, and placed near the shed they
occupied. The greatest man, however, had not as yet appeared, and on
May 6 a chief arrived, it was understood, from Tongataboo, who was
introduced by Taipa as Feenou, King of all the Friendly Islands. That
he was of great power there could be no doubt, as the natives ordered
out to meet him bowed their heads as low as his feet, the soles of which
they touched, first with the palm, and then with the back of each hand.
He appeared to be about thirty years of age, tall, but thin, and had
more of the European features than any native of the South Seas yet met
with. He showed his power by recovering a large axe which had been
stolen out of the ship. The people of these islands were great thieves;
even the chiefs stole. One was caught, when he was sentenced to receive
a dozen lashes, and was not set free till he had paid a hog for his
liberty. This put a stop to the practice among the chiefs.
At Feenou's invitation Captain Cook agreed to go to Hapaee. During the
passage the great chief came on board and remained all day, but in the
evening took his departure with Omai, while the ship remained under sail
in a somewhat perilous position, no anchorage having been found.
Several times during the day the smoke from the burning mountain of
Toofoa was seen; at night the flames were observed bursting forth, but
to no great height.
Hapaee consists of four islands, of inconsiderable elevation.
Immediately the ships came to an anchor, on the 17th, they were crowded
with natives, who brought off all sorts of provisions. A house had been
brought down to the beach, and on Captain Cook's going on shore, he and
Omai, with Feenou, took their seats within it, the other chiefs and
people forming a circle outside. Feenou then directed Taipa to proclaim
to the people that the strangers were going to remain five days, and
that they were to bring hogs, fowls, and fruit to the ships; that they
were not to steal, but to behave in every way politely and courteously.
After this, it was suggested by Taipa that a present should be made to
Earoupa, the chief of the island.
Omai seems to have been greatly taken with Feenou, and scarcely ever
quitted him. The next day this chief came off, requesting the captain's
presence on shore, when a hundred men appeared, laden with bread-fruit,
plantains, yams, cocoanuts, and sugar-canes, with several pigs and
fowls, and two turtles, which were deposited in two heaps, Earoupa
seating himself near one heap, and another chief near the other. A
number of men then appeared, armed with clubs made out of the green
branches of the cocoanut tree. They formed two parties, and numerous
single combats took place, the victors being highly applauded by the
spectators. These were succeeded by wrestling and boxing matches, much
in the English fashion. In the latter several young women took part.
One of the first pair gave in within a minute, but the second fought on
till separated by two old women. The greatest good humour prevailed,
however, though many severe blows were received. Feenou now explained
that one-third of the presents were for Omai, and the others for Captain
Cook, who made the handsomest returns he could. There was enough to
fill four boats; indeed, no chief in any part had ever made a present at
all equal to it.
At the desire of the chief the marines were exercised on shore, and in
return a sort of dance was performed by a hundred and five men, who had
each a paddle in his hand. Nothing could exceed the beautiful precision
and the variety of graceful movements of the performers. When it grew
dark their visitors greatly pleased the natives by a display of
fireworks. After this the people collected in an open space among the
trees, where a circle was formed by lights, and just outside the circle
a number of dances were performed, some by men, and others by women,
many of the principal people taking a part. The performances appear to
have been very graceful and perfect in every way, the natives evidently
priding themselves on them.
Making an excursion on shore, Captain Cook formed a high opinion of the
state of cultivation of Lifooga. On his return on board he found a
large double canoe, with the silent chief who had been met with at
Tongataboo, and was supposed to be the king of the island. Feenou was
on board, but neither great man took the slightest notice of the other.
Feenou now announced that business required his absence, and begged
Captain Cook to await his return. He had not been gone long when a
large sailing-canoe arrived, in which was a person named Poulaho, and
whom the natives on board affirmed to be the real King of Tongataboo and
of all the neighbouring islands. He was a sensible, sedate man,
enormously fat, and about forty years of age. He was, of course,
invited into the cabin, but his attendants observed that that could not
be. On this the captain sent Omai to say that he would give directions
that no one should approach the part of the deck above the cabin. The
king, however, settled the question by going below without making any
stipulation. Omai seemed much disappointed at discovering that the
chief he had taken to be king was no king after all. Feenou was,
however, a very powerful chief, generalissimo of the army, and head of
the police of all the islands, so that he was held in general awe.
The king was much pleased with the presents he received, and when he
went on shore ordered two more hogs to be sent off, in addition to two
he had brought with him. On landing he was taken up to the house
erected for his accommodation, on a board resembling a hand-barrow. On
Feenou's return he looked rather confused on finding that the king had
paid the voyagers a visit; and he then acknowledged who and what he
really was. After this, on one occasion, Poulaho and Feenou accompanied
the captain on board. Feenou, however, did not presume to sit with the
king, but, saluting his foot with head and hands, retired out of the
cabin. It appeared, indeed, that he declined to eat and drink in the
royal presence, though there were persons of much inferior rank who did
so.
At the request of Poulaho the captain paid a visit to Tongataboo, where
the ships were in considerable danger of driving on a low, sandy island,
but escaped. At Tongataboo the English were entertained much in the
same way that they had been at Hapaee.
The king had a son, Fattafaihe, to whom great respect was paid. His
mother was the daughter of an old chief, of large possessions and great
influence, called Mareewagee, and Feenou was his son. That chief was,
therefore, brother-in-law to the king, and uncle to the heir-apparent.
On June 19 Captain Cook invited the chiefs and others to a meeting, that
he might present them with the animals he proposed to leave on the
island. To the king, Poulaho, he gave a young English bull and cow; to
Mareewagee, a Cape ram and two ewes; and to Feenou, a horse and mare;
and he instructed Omai to explain their use, and that they must be
careful not to injure them, but to let them increase till they had
stocked the island. Some goats and rabbits were also added. It soon
appeared, however, that the chiefs were dissatisfied with this
allotment, and early next morning it was found that a kid and two
turkey-cocks were missing. On this the captain put a guard over the
king, Feenou, and some other chiefs, whom he found in the house which
the English occupied on shore, and told them that they should not be
liberated till the animals and other articles lately stolen had been
restored. On the captain inviting them to go on board to dinner they
readily consented. Some objected to the king's going, but he jumped up
and said that he would be the first to go. They were kept on board till
four, and on their return on shore the kid and one of the turkey-cocks
were brought back, and the other was promised the next day. After this
a party of officers from both ships made an excursion into the interior,
with muskets and ammunition, and a number of articles for barter, but
the natives stripped them of everything. The officers made application,
through Omai, for restitution, and this caused the king, Feenou, and
other chiefs hastily to go off. Omai, however, persuaded Feenou that
nothing would be done to them, when he, and afterwards the king,
returned, and were apparently on as good terms as ever.
Captain Cook even ventured to attend a grand ceremony, held for the
purpose of introducing the young prince to certain royal privileges, the
principal of which was to be that of eating in the society of his
father. There seemed to be great distinctions of rank among the people.
There were some who had greater honour shown to them than even to the
king himself. His father had an elder sister, of equal rank to himself,
and she married a chief who came from Fejee. By him she had a son, the
silent chief Latoolibooloo, who was looked upon as a madman, and two
daughters. The king met one of these women on board the Resolution, and
would not venture to eat in her presence. On afterwards encountering
Latoolibooloo, the king bent down and touched the silent prince's feet
with the back and palms of his hand, as he was accustomed to be treated
by his subjects.
Captain Cook here observed the taboo system. If applied to places, they
may not be entered or approached; if to persons, they may not be
touched, or may not feed themselves; if to things, they may not be
touched. The system, however, did not appear to be so rigidly observed
in Tonga as in some other groups of the Pacific.
With regard to the religion of the people, Captain Cook gained very
little information, and Omai, who seems to have been especially dull of
apprehension, and never to have made inquiries of his own accord, was
very little able to help him. That great cruelty was exercised by those
in authority was evident by two or three occurrences witnessed by the
English. On one occasion, when Feenou was on board the Resolution, an
inferior chief ordered all the people to retire from the post occupied
on shore by the English. Some ventured to return, when the chief took
up a stick and beat them most unmercifully. He struck one man with so
much violence on the side of the face that the blood gushed out of his
month and nostrils, and after lying for some time motionless he was
removed in convulsions. The chief laughed when told that he had killed
the man, and seemed perfectly indifferent to the matter.
All classes, from the highest to the lowest, were found to be thieves;
and when the chiefs themselves did not steal they employed their
servants to pilfer for them. To check this propensity Captain Clerke
suggested a plan, which was adopted with good effect. Whenever any of
the lower orders were caught stealing he had their heads completely
shaved, so that they became objects of ridicule to their countrymen, and
did not again venture on board the ships.
It appeared that the larger portion of the land belonged to certain
great chiefs, and that the inferior chiefs held their estates under
them, while the mass of the population were mere serfs, who tilled the
soil for their masters, and received but a scanty remuneration for their
labour.
Captain Cook heard of the Fejee Islands, distant about three days' sail,
and of the savage and cannibal propensities of the inhabitants, some of
whom he saw at Tonga. The inhabitants of Tonga held them in great
dread, on account of their prowess in war, and always endeavoured to
keep on friendly terms with them. He concluded that the Friendly
Islanders had not, till lately, kept up any intercourse with those of
Fejee, because dogs, which are very common in the latter group, had only
been introduced into Tonga since his last visit, and to none of the
other islands.
All was ready for sailing, when the king invited Captain Cook and his
officers to the ceremony which has already been mentioned, and which
took place at Mooa, where the king resided. During its performance they
had to sit, as did the natives, with their shoulders bare, their hair
hanging down loose, their eyes cast down, and their hands locked
together. None but the principal people, and those who assisted at the
celebration, were allowed to be present. These circumstances, Captain
Cook says, were sufficient evidence to him that the people considered
themselves as acting under the immediate inspection of a Supreme Being.
He was told that in about three months there would be performed, on the
same account, a far grander solemnity, on which occasion not only the
tribute of Tongataboo, but that of Hapaee, Vavaoo, and of all the other
islands, would be brought to the chief, and ten human beings from among
the inferior sort of people would be sacrificed to add to its dignity:
"a significant instance," Captain Cook remarks, "of the influence of
gloomy and ignorant superstition over the minds of one of the most
benevolent and humane nations upon earth." King Poulaho warmly pressed
his guests to remain, that they might witness a funeral ceremony, which
was to take place the next day.
During their stay in the island they had suffered from a succession of
violent storms. The wind raged fearfully amongst the forest trees, the
rain fell in torrents, the lightning flashed, and the thunder pealed
with an awful fury of which we, in these more temperate regions, have
little idea. Now, however, the wind had become fair and moderate;
Captain Cook and his officers, therefore, hurried on board, and as soon
as possible the ships got under way. As, however, they could not get to
sea before it was dark, they had to bring up for the night under
Tongataboo. The next day they reached Eooa, where the English were well
received by Captain Cook's former acquaintance, the chief of the island,
Taoofa, or, as he then called him, Tioony. An abundant supply of yams
and a few hogs were obtained, and the ram and two ewes of the Cape of
Good Hope breed of sheep were entrusted to the chief, who seemed proud
of his charge.
Captain Cook made an excursion into the interior, and as he surveyed,
from an elevation to which he had ascended, the delightful prospect
before him, "I could not," he says, "help flattering myself with the
pleasing idea that some future navigator may, from the same station,
behold these meadows stocked with cattle, brought to these islands by
the ships of England; and that the completion of this high benevolent
purpose, independently of all other considerations, would sufficiently
mark to posterity that our voyages had not been useless to the general
interests of humanity." The great navigator here gives utterance to the
genuine feelings of his heart, for such were undoubtedly the principles
which animated him. He little dreamed that those friendly natives, of
whom he had thought so highly, and whom he had praised as among the most
humane people on earth, had, headed by Feenou, laid a plot for his
destruction, and that of all his followers. Providentially, the
conspirators could not agree as to the mode of proceeding; but all were
equally eager to possess themselves of the stores of wealth the ships
were supposed to contain. Probably Feenou's pretended friendship for
the foolish Omai was in the hope that he would thus have a ready tool in
his hands. He had offered to make Omai a great chief if he would remain
in Tonga, but Cook advised him not to accept the offer.
Captain Cook had settled to sail on July 15, but, pressed by Taoofa, who
promised more presents, he consented to remain a couple of days. During
this period a seaman was surrounded by a number of people, and, being
knocked down, had every particle of clothing torn from his back; but, by
seizing on a couple of canoes and a fat hog, the English obtained the
restoration of some of the articles.
The captain kept to his purpose of sailing, but when still not far from
the land a canoe with four men came off, saying that orders had been
sent to the people of Eooa to supply the ships with fat hogs, and that
if they would return to their former station the king and a number of
chiefs would, in a couple of days, be with them. As, however, there was
an abundant supply of provisions on board, Captain Cook declined the
offer, and continued his coarse.
It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader that more fearful
massacres of the crews of various ships were perpetrated by the
inhabitants of these islands than by any other natives of the Pacific,
from the time of the visit just recorded till they were formed into a
civilised community under their present government.
After the ships had left the Tonga group they did not see land till
August 8, when they fell in with a small island, having on it hills of
considerable elevation, covered with grass; tall trees, and numerous
plantations on a border of flat land, ran quite round it, edged with a
white sandy beach. A number of people were on the shore, and two canoes
came off with a dozen men in them, but could not be persuaded, by all
Omai's eloquence, to venture alongside. They spoke the language of
Otaheite, and called their island Toobouai. It was at this island that
Christian and the mutineers of the Bounty tried to form a settlement, in
1789. It is the scene, also, of Lord Byron's poem of "The Island,"
though he altered the name to Toobouia. Some of the people were dressed
in native cloth, but the great mass had only girdles. One continued to
blow a conch-shell most of the time the ships lay off their island,
while his companions made signs, inviting the strangers to land. It is
worthy of remark that no weapons were seen among them.
On the 12th Maitea was seen, and soon after Otaheite hove in sight, and
the next day the ships anchored in the Bay of Oheitepeha. Some common
people came off in canoes, but Omai took no notice of them, and they did
not seem to recognise him as a countryman. At length his
brother-in-law, Ootee, appeared, but there was no exhibition of regard
or affection till Omai took the other into the cabin and showed him the
drawers in which he kept his red feathers. This instantly changed the
face of affairs, and Ootee begged that they might be _tayos_, and change
names.
Soon after the ships anchored Omai's sister came on board, and the
meeting was marked with expressions of the most tender affection,
evidently not feigned. Afterwards, on going ashore with Captain Cook,
Omai met a sister of his mother. "She threw herself at his feet, and
bedewed them plentifully with tears of joy," says the captain, adding,
"I left him with the old lady, in the midst of a number of people who
had gathered round him."
Cook found that since his last visit two Spanish ships had twice visited
the bay; that a house had been built, and that several persons had been
left in the interval, of whom some had died, and the rest went away when
the ships came back. They had presented the islanders with a bull, some
hogs, goats, and dogs, and had taken away four people, two of whom died,
and two came back from a place which Cook conjectured to be Lima. The
house, which stood close to the beach, was made of planks, and as these
were all numbered they had evidently been brought ready to be set up.
It was divided into two small rooms, and in the inner one were a
bedstead, a table, a bench, some old hats, and other trifles, of which
the natives seemed to be very careful, as also of the house itself,
which had suffered no hurt from the weather, a shed having been built
over it. There were scuttles all round which served as air-holes, and
perhaps they were intended to fire from with musketry, should it have
become necessary. At a little distance from the front stood a wooden
cross, on the transverse part of which was only the inscription
_Christus vincit_, and on the perpendicular part _Carolus Tertius,
imperat_ 1774. On the other side of the post Cook preserved the memory
of the prior visits of the English by inscribing, _Georgius Tertius,
Rex_, Annis 1767, 1769, 1773, 1774, and 1777. The natives pointed out
the grave of the commodore of the two ships who died there during their
first visit.
The expeditions of the Spaniards to Otaheite and the neighbouring
islands had been undertaken in consequence of the jealousy of the
Spanish Government at the visits of the English to the South Seas. The
first was under the command of Don Domingo Bonechea, in the Aguila
frigate, in 1772. He gave so favourable a report of the islands that he
was again sent out in 1774, having on board two monks of the order of
Saint Francis, a linguist, a portable house, sheep, cattle, and
implements. Having landed them at Oheitepeha Bay, as soon as the house
was up he set sail to make further discoveries. He then returned to the
bay, and six days afterwards died, and was buried, with becoming
ceremonies, at the foot of the cross, which was erected with great pomp,
amid the chanting of masses and the discharge of musketry.
In 1775 a third visit was paid by the Aguila, sent from Callao, to
ascertain the fate of the missionaries. They were found to be utterly
disappointed, and determined to abandon their task, having made no
progress in the conversion of the natives, and were so alarmed at the
human sacrifices constantly taking place that they would only consent to
remain under the protection of a Spanish garrison.
In God's providence, the people of Otaheite were destined to receive,
from Protestant missionaries, a simpler and purer faith than that taught
by the priests of Rome. To that faith they have held fast, in spite of
all the efforts and machinations of the Romanists.
While in this bay, as an abundant supply of cocoanuts could be obtained,
Captain Cook proposed to his crew that, as it was important they should
economise their spirits, they should give up their grog, except on
Saturday nights, and drink cocoanut milk instead. To this, without a
moment's hesitation, they consented, as did Captain Clerke's crew. On
their first arrival in this place red feathers were looked on as of
great value, but as everybody had them on board they soon became a drug
in the market. Poor Omai began very soon to exhibit his want of
judgment. He had prepared a crown or cap of yellow and red feathers for
Otoo, the king of all the islands, which the captain recommended him to
present himself. Instead of so doing, his vanity induced him to exhibit
it before Waheiadooa, the chief of that part, who thereupon kept the
crown himself and sent only a few tufts to the king.
On August 23 the ships moved to Matavai Bay. The following morning the
captain landed with Omai and several officers, to pay his respects to
the king, who was attended by his father, his two brothers, three
sisters, and a large number of people. Omai, who was becomingly
dressed, kneeled and embraced the king's legs, but very little notice
was taken of him. He made the king a present of some red feathers and
three yards of gold cloth; and the captain gave him a suit of fine
linen, a gold-laced hat, some more red feathers, and some tools.
Captain Cook's wish had been to leave Omai with Otoo, as he thought of
landing all his animals here, and supposed that Omai would assist in
looking after them, and show their various uses. He therefore
encouraged the friendship of Omai with the chiefs, even though it might
have depended much on his supposed wealth. Omai, however, rejecting his
kind friend's advice, conducted himself in so imprudent a manner that he
soon lost the friendship of Otoo, and of every other person of note in
Otaheite. He associated with none but vagabonds and strangers, whose
sole object was to plunder him; and had not the captain interfered they
would not have left him a single article worth carrying from the island.
Of course, this drew on him the ill-will of the chiefs, who found that
they could not procure such valuable presents as Omai bestowed on the
lowest of the people, his companions.
After dinner the captain and a party of officers accompanied Otoo to
Oparree, taking with them the poultry with which they were to stock the
island. They consisted of a peacock and hen, a turkey-cock and hen, one
gander and three geese, and a drake and four ducks; all left with the
king. A gander was found there, left by Captain Wallis, several goats,
and a fine Spanish bull, which was kept tied to a tree near Otoo's
house. Three cows and a bull, some sheep, and the horse and mare were
also landed, greatly to the captain's satisfaction, and to that of
everybody else on board, probably, when it is considered what care and
attention it must have required to keep them alive for so many months.
A piece of ground was also cleared for a garden, and in it, among other
things, were planted several shaddock trees, which had been brought from
the Friendly Islands, two pine-apple plants, some melons and potatoes.
The Spaniards had left a vine, which flourished, but before the grapes
were ripe the natives tasted them, and finding them sour, nearly
destroyed it. It was, however, pruned, and cuttings were taken from it,
and the natives were advised to wait till the fruit was ripe another
season.
The youth called Oedidee, whose real name was Heeteheete, who had been
seven months with Captain Cook, was here met with. The captain gave him
a chest of tools, and some clothes had been sent out for his use; but
after a few days he declined wearing them. One of the natives who had
been on board one of the Spanish ships had also resumed his native
garments, and "perhaps," Captain Cook observes, "Omai, who has almost
entirely assumed English manners, will do the same."
While the ships lay at Matavai news was brought that the people of Eimeo
had revolted, and it was resolved to send Towha, with a fleet, against
them. Before the fleet could sail it was necessary that a grand human
sacrifice should be offered. The unhappy victim--one of the common
people--had already been knocked on the head for the purpose. Captain
Cook, wishing to ascertain the truth of the accounts he had received,
accompanied Otoo to witness the ceremony, and with him Mr Anderson and
Mr Webber, followed by Omai in a canoe. Every facility was given them
for witnessing the barbarous and disgusting rite. The English were
allowed to examine the victim, who was a man of middle age, and had been
killed by a blow on the right temple. Forty-nine skulls were counted in
one heap, which, as they had suffered little change by the weather, had
belonged to people evidently not long killed.
On the captain's return he met Towha, who became very angry because he
positively refused to assist him in his proposed expedition.
Omai gave an entertainment on shore about this time, at which the king
condescended to attend; and the following day a party dined with their
old shipmate Oedidee; among other dishes, admirably dressed, was a hog
weighing about thirty pounds, which an hour or two before was alive.
Some fireworks, let off before a large concourse of people, frightened
some of them so much that they could scarcely be kept together. On the
return of Otoo, on September 13, from assisting at another human
sacrifice, the two captains mounted the two horses, and took a ride
round the plains of Matavai, to the astonishment of a large number of
people. The ride was repeated every day, and seemed to convey to the
natives a better idea of the greatness of the English than any of the
other novelties brought to them by their European visitors.
Most of the chiefs and other people of importance who were known to the
English during their former visit were still alive, and as the island
had enjoyed the blessings of peace, it seemed to be in a very
flourishing condition. Omai received here one present from Towha in
return for the many he had given away; this was a handsome double canoe,
ready for sea; but when he exhibited himself on board in a suit of chain
armour, so unpopular had he become that the people would not look at
him. He had all along entertained the idea that Captain Cook would take
him back to Ulietea, and reinstate him by force of arms on his father's
property. This made him refuse to remain at Otaheite.
On leaving that island, on September 30, the ships proceeded to Eimeo.
Omai, in his canoe, had arrived some time before. An excellent harbour
was found, in which the ships lay close to the shore. The Resolution
was much infested by rats, and, as an expedient to get rid of them, she
was hauled as close in with the shore as the depth of water would allow,
and some stout hawsers were fastened to the trees to afford them a
bridge to cross over. The natives would scarcely have thanked their
visitors for the gifts intended for them, but whether any rats were thus
got rid of is not known. The natives managed, however, to carry off a
goat, which, as it was of value for the purpose of stocking other
islands, it was necessary to recover. This, however, was not done till
several canoes and some houses had been burned.
The island is described as rising in one hill, with very little level
ground, and the people, especially the women, were said to be inferior
in appearance to those of the neighbouring islands. Another day's sail
brought the ships to the entrance of the harbour of Owharre, on the west
side of the island of Huaheine. As Omai refused to attempt the recovery
of his property in Ulietea, except by force of arms, Captain Cook
determined to leave him here, making the best terms with the chief that
he could. The English were received on shore by a large concourse of
people, many of whom appeared to be people of consequence; the king was,
however, only a child. It is painful to read the following account
given of the meeting:--"Omai began with making his offering to the gods,
consisting of red feathers, cloth, etcetera. Then followed another
offering, which was to be given to the gods by the chief: each article
was laid before a priest, who presented it with a prayer dictated by
Omai, who did not forget his friends in England, nor those who had
brought him safely back. The King of England, Lord Sandwich, Cook, and
Clerke were mentioned in every one of them."
Finally, the chief agreed to give Omai a piece of ground extending about
two hundred yards along the shore of the harbour, and reaching to the
foot of the hill. Here observatories were set up, and the carpenters of
both ships were set to work to build a house for Omai, in which he might
secure his European commodities. At the same time some hands were
employed on shore, making a garden for his use, planting shaddocks,
vines, pine-apples melons, and other seeds, many of which were in a
flourishing state before the English left the island. Omai here found a
brother, a sister, and a brother-in-law, but they were not people
capable of affording him any protection. Cook, therefore, advised him
to make handsome presents to some of the chiefs, that they might be
induced to protect him. To increase his security, Captain Cook took
every opportunity of impressing on the inhabitants that he purposed
returning, and that should he not find Omai in the state of security in
which he left him, his enemies might expect to feel the weight of his
resentment.
On the 22nd a man found means of carrying off a sextant from Mr
Bayley's observatory. Omai fixed on the culprit, who was a Bolabola
man, a hardened scoundrel. He confessed that he had taken the
instrument, and would show where it was. This did not save him,
however, from having his head and beard shaved, and both his ears cut
off, as a terror to the rest.
Omai's house being nearly finished on the 26th, many of his movables
were carried on shore. Among a variety of other useless articles was a
box of toys, which seemed greatly to please the multitude; but his
plates, dishes, mugs, and glasses he saw would be of no use to him, and
he therefore exchanged them with the crew for hatchets and other iron
tools. He is said to have had an electrical machine, a portable organ,
a coat of mail, and a helmet. He had also a musket and bayonet, a
fowling-piece, two pairs of pistols, and two or three swords or
cutlasses. The possession of these made him quite happy, though Cook
was of opinion that he would have been better without them. A horse and
mare, a boar and two sows, and a goat with kid were likewise given to
him.