A visit from the Cohaphas. Our King wishes to learn the use of the
gun. Abandons the idea. Arrival of Captain Fisher. His inhumanity. Is
driven from the land. Manner of fishing. Attempt to cultivate tobacco.
Efficacy of the tabu law. A missionary ship arrives. Meetings are
held. Unbelief of the natives. Narrow escape of the author. Conduct
of Mr. Daylia. He is driven from the island. Another sail approaches.
Recognition of the Captain. His conduct. Plan of escape. The king is
deceived. The author leaves the island. Secretes himself. Is missed.
His unpleasant situation. Joy at seeing the natives leave the ship.
Reflections.
A few days after, a number of the Cohaphas visited our valley,
expressing a strong desire to see the Tehoury and their Pobohe. Among
them was the celebrated chief Cappayoho, who was still lame from the
wound he had received from our slugs. When we came before him, he
looked upon us with perfect astonishment, turned us around again and
again, asking many questions respecting ourselves, our country, and
the use of our pobohe. A large hog was brought in and roasted, and a
sumptuous feast given, of which all partook, forgetting all feelings of
enmity.
One day our king expressed a strong desire to learn the use of the gun,
and asked me to show him. Not liking the idea of it, being fearful we
should not only lose the gun, but the reputation we then sustained from
our success with it, I resolved to fix him so that he would abandon
the thought of it. I accordingly put in a powerful charge, and gave
him the gun. He with great confidence brought it to his shoulder,
and discharged it. So powerful was it that it threw him upon the
ground with great force. He sprang to his feet, exclaiming in great
rage--"_Kekeno tehoury!_" I assured him he did not hold it right, and
then loaded it for myself and discharged it without harm. That served
to convince him. He declared he would never touch the thing again, and
did not during my stay there.
The war having closed, left us without any particular way of spending
our time, except getting our supply of fruits for living; this done,
time passed heavily. Often we would retire to the groves or some
secluded spot, where, shut out from the world as it were, we would
sing some lively song, which would call to our minds most vividly the
scenes of other days. Home, with all its allurements, would rush before
us, and our untold grief could scarcely be borne. Suddenly some native
would come upon us, perhaps when we were weeping, when we would feign
that degree of contentedness which made them believe we were truly so.
At length the cry of _moco nui_, a large ship, resounded through the
valley. This we fancied was the time for our deliverance from this
place. She stood abreast the harbor, taking in her light sails; the
boats were lowered and came towards the shore; when within hailing
distance they asked for permission to land. This the king, through me,
granted. Returning to the ship, they stood into the harbor and came to
anchor. The females swam to the ship, and, before the sails could be
furled, the decks were literally full of them.
She proved to be the ship Pocahontas, Capt. Fisher, of Sag Harbor.
The captain coming on shore, I acquainted him with our situation, and
requested his interference in our behalf. He, with a great degree of
indifference, offered to take us away if we would get the king's full
consent; this he knew we could not do. I then asked him for clothing?
His reply was:
"I do not carry clothes around for such miserable fellows as you are;"
and furthermore, he had none except those needed for the use of the
ship's crew; yet he offered to sell me some, provided I would pay him
in American currency. I could only offer him the usual commodity of the
island--hogs, &c. These, he said, he could buy of the natives with a
few scraps of old iron.
His casks were already on shore for water, and he was trying to get the
natives to fill them. I went to the king and told him he was a kekeno
tehoury, (bad white man,) and that he was going to get water and hogs
without pay, and advised him to drive them from the harbor. The king at
this became greatly enraged, and called together the tribe, or many of
them, ordered Capt. Fisher to leave the island immediately, and not to
land their boats again.
The casks were rolled into the water, the natives followed up closely
with clubs and spears, ready to force them away, should they offer
resistance or in any way retard their operations. The next morning they
weighed anchor and left our harbor, without being able to get either
water or provisions.
As fishing was one of the ways in which we spent our time, I purpose
here giving an account of the manner in which fish are caught:
When a school of porpoises enter the harbor, notice is given to the
tribe, who, armed with stones, immediately resort to the water; some on
each side rush into the water, beating the stones together beneath the
surface. The porpoises becoming frightened, flee before their pursuers
and are driven upon the beach, where they are killed by the old men and
boys with clubs.--They are then taken to their huts, and hung up by a
cord of bark run through the tail. From these they daily feast, until
they rot and fall from their hanging place.
Smaller fish are taken by nets, made of the cords of bark. These nets
are about twenty feet across the top or mouth; they are sunk below the
water's surface by stones placed in the bottom and attached to several
boats, stationed at regular points about, by cords. The natives then
swim around on all sides, and at a given signal swim towards the boats,
beating stones together. The fish frightened on all sides, flee to the
least dangerous point, which is in the vicinity of the net; the net
is then raised to the surface, oftentimes catching a barrel or two at
a time. The females seldom join in catching fish, and never unless by
special permission.
Finding a plant much resembling tobacco, I thought I would try to
cultivate it, hoping to improve it, and accordingly set out a number
of plants. These the hogs destroyed. When I supplied their place, I
bargained with a native to build a stone wall around the patch, which
was about fifteen feet square, for a half head of tobacco. When the
wall was done I paid him. He seemed not altogether satisfied with the
bargain; he left the hut and went directly to the spot and tore the
wall down. I informed the king, hoping he would make him rebuild it.
The king seized his club and ran every foot to the house in which he
lived. As he with the other members of the family were seated at their
evening repast, he rushed in and gave him a heavy blow with the club,
completely severing the head in twain, and the brains and blood flew
around upon those who sat with him. The king then ordered his brother
to take the body and put it in a certain hole in the rocks, where the
tide as it ebbed and flows would wash it. Had I supposed such would
have been the case, I should not have informed the king of him.
My wife knowing the treachery of the tribe, also hearing their threats,
put me on my guard.
Several times they attempted me harm, but I evaded them.
One night while we were quietly reposing on our beds of leaves, with
the amer nut light burning by my side, a spear was forced through the
side of the hut and lodged within a few inches of my body. I sprang to
my feet, put out my light, and remained on the watch the remainder of
the night.
The next morning I carried the spear to the king, who called the tribe
together, and holding up the spear, called upon the owner to come for
it; but no one appeared. Then in the presence of the whole tribe he put
me and my household under the _tabu_ law, which effectually shielded me
from all harm. However great their anger or the desire to kill me might
have been, none dare lay the finger of harm upon me. Thus to their
heathenish superstition I owed my life, for such was their anger that
no law save that would have deterred them from reeking their vengeance
upon me.
This however did not heal the wound, or cause the wave of forgetfulness
to sweep over the affair, as there was always, during my stay on the
island, a sort of hatred existing with the members of that family
toward me, though they dare not manifest it.
Again a heavy sail was seen approaching our shores. We dare not look
forward to an opportunity of escape, so often had we been doomed to
disappointment.
As she came into the harbor and dropped her anchor, we thought we could
notice less confusion than usually attended ships on coming to anchor.
The king requested Noyce and myself to go with him to the ship. He had
never before allowed us to do that.
On reaching the ship we crawled up her sides, and jumped over the
bulwark, when we found ourselves, naked as when born, before two or
three English ladies. We instantly jumped overboard, seized a canoe
and pulled for the shore, when, Adam-like, we procured leaves and
made aprons for ourselves. This proved a Missionary ship, sent from
Otaheite, under the direction of an English missionary, named Daylia,
who had long resided there, to establish a station, which he intended
leaving in charge of two gentlemen, Messrs. Bingham and Morris, who
with their wives had come thither for that purpose.
Soon Mr. Daylia, Mr. Bingham and the captain came upon the shore, and
after learning the reason of our being there, &c., inquired of the
general character of the natives, and of our views of the proposed
idea of establishing a station there. Knowing as we did of the hatred
with which they were accustomed to look upon all not belonging to their
own tribe, especially should they differ from them, we said much to
dissuade them from the attempt. Perhaps however we were influenced more
by feelings of selfishness, which might arise from the nature of our
situation among them, than otherwise. And in such a light it was viewed
by Mr. Daylia, who reprimanded me in a manner not at all becoming the
dignity of his station. From that moment Mr. Daylia looked upon me as
upon a person bearing his dislike, not to say hatred.
Notwithstanding our efforts to have them relinquish the idea of
remaining, they moved some of their effects on shore, among them were a
bull and cow, without permission, and took possession of an uninhabited
hut near the tabu ground.
This greatly incensed the king against them, and had I not interfered,
he would have driven, not only the animals, but the people from his
shores entirely. At any rate he would not have the animals there, and
ordered them removed immediately, or he would kill them. They were
accordingly taken to the ships again.
They brought the females on shore and commenced building a house on the
tabu ground; the king watching every movement, forbid their proceeding,
and asked them by what authority they entered upon his consecrated
grounds. Mr. Daylia replied, "By the Lord's authority." The king
significantly said the Lord had nothing to do with the tabu ground, and
again forbid their building there.
They persisting in staying, the king told them they might do so while
they remained at peace with the other tribes, but should a war break
out, they would be tattooed, or driven from the land.
Meetings were held each day, which Noyce and myself generally attended,
at the request of the missionaries, as an example to the natives.
The Otaheitean and Marquisian languages are so nearly alike they could
converse without an interpreter.
Daylia, in one of his meetings, said much about the good land and a
bad land, telling them if they would be good and pray they would go to
the good land, when they died. This he explained in a manner suited
to their understanding. One of the chiefs jumped up and asked if the
missionary who died at Nukuhivah (an English missionary who died about
two years before) had gone to that good land. Mr. Daylia assured them
he had, when, unwilling to believe it, they sent four men to that
island, (about fifty miles) to get some of the bones. At the expiration
of five or six days they returned, bringing bones with them; and at
the next meeting, when Daylia was again telling of the good land, they
set up a shouting, calling him a liar and showed him the bones. They
told him he had been driven from his own land and had come to live with
them, and he might stop preaching about his good land and his bad land,
for they would not believe him. In vain were his remonstrances with
them. They told him if he would climb a lofty cocoa-nut tree, which
stood near, and jump among the rocks unhurt, they would believe him.
Still he held his meetings, but not with any degree of pleasantness,
for the natives were as likely to set up a war dance as any thing else.
This was imputed to me by Mr. Daylia, who threatened to send me to
England and have me severely punished. His threats I did not heed very
much, though I should have been extremely glad to have been sent there.
One morning, at an early hour, going as usual to bathe, I met a servant
of Mr. Daylia, who was a native of Otaheite, with an axe upon his
shoulder. Having before been on good terms with him, I smilingly passed
the compliment of the morning, (_Kaoha_, good morning) and was passing
on. Accidentally turning my eye, I saw the axe uplifted, and aimed at
my head. I fell upon my knees and evaded the blow. With earnestness I
sprang and caught it, having one hand at the head and the other at the
end of the helve, before he could again raise it.
Pulling hard as if to get possession of it, at the same time wrestling
about, I brought the edge towards him, he also pulling with his might
in endeavoring to hold it, when I suddenly relaxed my hold, still
holding on the handle, drove the edge into his face, running obliquely
across the nose. This was repeated twice, when he fell yelling most
lustily.
His cries brought the missionary and many of the natives, with the king
and second chief, to the spot.
I told Daylia if that, with the treatment he had given me, was an
illustration of his preaching, he had better stay at home than go
to the heathen, professedly to preach peace and salvation, while he
practiced such horrid digressions.
The servant declared he was doing his master's bidding. This was
stoutly contradicted by Daylia. Still I was led by the former
friendship which had existed between us, and the previous conduct of
Daylia, to believe the statement of the servant in preference to that
of his.
The king then ordered them to leave the island that day or he
would kill them all. Daylia taking up a little child of one of the
missionaries, said in a half sneering manner, "Would you kill this
innocent one?" "Yes," says the king, "a nit will be a louse."
Their goods were taken to the ship, and every preparation made to leave
the island; Daylia, however, taking the opportunity to say to me that
I might expect to be sent for from England to answer for my conduct,
accusing me of influencing the king against them.
This was not the fact; and, to the contrary, had I not interfered in
their behalf, they would have been killed in the early part of their
adventure.
Still I did not favor the idea of their remaining very much, knowing
the utter impracticability of such an undertaking with the then
existing state of the inhabitants. Had such an enterprise been in the
least degree practicable, we should have been foolish indeed not to
have welcomed them with joy, as our situation would thereby have been
greatly improved, if our escape had not been effected by it.
It was painful, indeed, to see them depart, especially so, as far as
Messrs. Bingham and Morris were concerned, for, towards them we had
formed the strongest attachment.
On the morning of the next day they weighed anchor and left the harbor.
Twice since this time have the missionaries attempted to form a station
there, and as many times been defeated. Once the French Catholics, with
an armed force, attempted to drive them to repentance and religion
at the point of the bayonet, but the missionaries and soldiers were
massacred, and the sailors driven from the harbor.
After the missionaries left the harbor, time passed still more heavily
than before. A month or two elapsed without our having much to do.
One day while seated on a high bluff overlooking the sea, watching
for some distant sail, there I sat with anxious, straining eyes till
near nightfall, when I discerned a speck in the distance, dancing upon
the wave. I watched its course until it ripened into perfect form,
giving the beautiful proportion of a large ship. With great eagerness I
watched it until night closed it from my sight. Wondering whether she
was destined to land at our shores, I returned to the valley and gave
notice to the king of its approach.
The next morning I, with my wife, at a very early hour, went to bathe,
and saw the ship heading towards the harbor. The king and other natives
soon joined us, all with straining eyes watching the ship.
On its nearer approach the king asked me if I would take charge of
the ship if he would kill all the crew and take possession of her.
This I refused to do, saying our countrymen would come there in great
numbers and kill us. He, shaking his head, said, "if they will kill
you, what would they do to us? we will not touch them." They suppose
all ships and crews, like themselves, belong to some great king; and
if any crew commits any wrong upon them, and they cannot be revenged
upon the aggressors themselves, they will upon the next ship that comes
there, believing one common head suffers or bears the loss. This is the
reason, generally, that innocent crews have been murdered so cruelly by
them, without any seeming provocation.
The ship entered the harbor and dropped her anchor. The boats came to
land with the captain and others. At first sight I thought I recognized
in the person of the captain, a friend of other days. This idea was
strengthened much by hearing the crew address him as "Capt. Coleman."
I immediately stepped up and asked him if he ever sailed in the brig
Henry. He assured me he had. I then, looking him steadily in the eye,
asked, "do you know me, sir?" Looking at me a moment steadily, he said,
"yes, Bill! though your sunburnt countenance and savage connections
almost bid defiance to the recognition." How I came there in that
horrible place, with that outlandish crew, and what I could be doing,
exceedingly puzzled him.
I chatted with him some time. The king noticing a spirit of familiarity
existing with us, stood by with more than common watchfulness, and at
every few words, would say, _yahah_? (what says he?) I told him at each
inquiry that he wanted hogs and water, or in some other way quieted him.
Finding it useless to attempt a conversation at that time, he went back
to the ship and sent two rafts of casks to the shore for water. These
I bargained with the natives to fill for him, paying them in whales'
teeth, tobacco, &c. He also purchased a quantity of hogs, fruit, &c.,
of the natives, always paying them as much certainly, as he promised
to do. Besides, he made them many presents of small, and to him,
valueless articles, though they esteemed them very highly. This won
their affections completely, and he was allowed to go where and when
he pleased. By this means we were enabled to get together often and
form a plan by which he could assist me in getting away, which was to
go on board as the land breeze sprang up. I told him repeatedly of the
sad consequences that would most assuredly follow to himself and crew,
as well as to me, should we be detected in the act. But that did not
in the least degree deter him from making the attempt. What a noble
contrast between this captain, who was willing to run the risk of his
life, and the lives of his noble crew, to assist me to escape, and the
heartless wretch of the Pocahontas, who refused to let me have any
thing unless I would pay him in American currency, which he well knew
I had not; at the same time he was in want of hogs, &c., which I could
furnish him with, and which he chose rather to obtain from the simple
natives with a piece of old valueless hoop iron; thus depriving me of
useful articles which my necessities required.
The afternoon previous to the departure of the ship, the captain spent
on shore with us, and when he left to go on board I shook hands with
him, as if never to see him again, telling him to cause a statement of
our situation to be made to our friends, which he promised to do.
He went to his ship--manned the windlass--hove short the cable and
mast-headed the top-sail yard. The natives seeing it, asked _yahah
hannah hannah moro_, (or, what are they doing there?) I told them they
were heaving short and getting ready to leave the harbor. The king
asked me then if I wished to leave the island and go with them. I with
an outburst of laughter, as if perfectly astonished at the question,
said loudly, I did not. I was then asked why. I referred him to my
wife and the happy manner in which I lived. At this he seemed greatly
delighted.
Often have I heard it asserted that falsehoods were never justifiable,
and that the truth is best in all cases. Should those who most loudly
proclaim such views, be thus situated, I fear their theory and practice
would differ very much. Never have I met a man, I think, who would
under those circumstances adhere strictly to the truth, and thereby
lose his opportunity of getting away.
We walked away to my hut where the king and second chief sat and
chatted with me till the evening was far advanced. They went to their
homes perfectly satisfied that I did not wish to go, at least, I
thought so, and I was certain I weighed each word and look well. I went
to bed and had a lengthy talk with my wife about the ship's leaving
the shore and of my unwillingness to go. I remained talking till near
midnight, when feigning sickness I got up and walked out.
On the beach I found an old native, who seemed somewhat surprised at my
presence, as well as I at his, for I feared a watch was kept. Chatting
with him awhile, I was satisfied all things were right. Together we
went back to the huts. His being first, I saw him go in, when I went
home, and as the land breeze had not yet sprung up, went to bed. I
lay a short time in the highest state of excitement, when I heard a
rustling in the trees, which I knew was a signal for me to start.
I lay some moments scarce able to raise myself, for fear had taken fast
hold of me,--I knew not but some wiley native had discovered something
in me which excited them and a watch was kept. If such were really the
case, most horrible would be its results.
I was half inclined to abandon the project. Knowing that if this most
favorable opportunity passed I might not see another, hope bade me make
the trial.
I was soon upon the beach, shoved off a canoe, and was getting in when
I found there were no paddles. For a moment I gave up the idea, when
recollecting that I had seen some broken ones a few days previous,
lying behind an uninhabited hut, thither I repaired, greatly fearing
the dogs would give the alarm; I obtained the paddles and was again at
the boat.
No person can form any idea of the wretchedness of my situation, as I
looked around to see if danger was near.
The moon which had before shone brightly, had retired behind the bluff
as if unwilling to bear witness to the affair. I soon reached the ship,
seized hold of the ropes, which hang over the ship's side for the
purpose, and putting my shoulders under the main chains, sank my canoe,
and jumped on board, not daring to look behind lest I should find
myself pursued.
As was previously arranged, there was but one man on board who saw me,
who was Mr. Bliffin, the mate, the others being below, knowing nothing
of my being there, so that should the natives miss me and come on
board, they could not betray me by any emotions of fear.
Without speaking to Mr. Bliffin I went immediately to the captain's
room, from thence I secreted myself in the run or after part of the
vessel, under a pile of rubbish.
The sailors were called and every effort made to quit the harbor
immediately. We had scarcely moved from her berth, when by the noise
and bustle about the ship, I was satisfied the natives were aboard.
Soon I heard them nearing me, and could distinctly distinguish their
voices. Among them was the first chief who said, "let us be off, for he
is not here; if he had been they would not have let us looked."
The captain pretended not to understand them when they came to the
ship, and it was a long time before he could, at the same time he was
crowding all sail and getting as far out as possible. Believing I was
not there, they left the ship and paddled for the shore. Soon as they
had gone the captain called me from my hiding place and took me on
deck, to the great astonishment of the crew.
There were about forty came on board. Great was the delight with
which I looked on them as they were gaining the shore; and while I
was overjoyed at my own escape, I could not but look back upon the
wretchedness and misery of Noyce, who was left behind entirely ignorant
of what had become of me.
Whether I was captured and killed by some one who might have an ill
will towards me, or had escaped on board the ship, were alike matters
of consideration with him, for I had left him entirely ignorant of my
plans, as I knew I must in order to effect my own escape.
Many who may favor me with reading my simple narrative will no doubt
censure me for so doing, but should they be situated as I was, knowing
the utter impossibility for both to escape, they would, I think, find
the love of self, naturally strong as it is in man, pointing them to
the same course I pursued. To go and leave him was indeed painful in
the extreme, but had he been thus favored by the visit of a friend who
was willing to run the risk of his life in taking him away, and he had
thus effected his escape, I think I could only have thought him acting
right, however much I might deplore my loss.
The first kind offer of the captain as I came on board was to give
me clothes to cover my nakedness. Awkward, indeed, I felt as well as
acted, when clothed again, having been naked eighteen months. And as
I tasted of the salt meats and other articles found on ship board,
cooked so different from what I had been accustomed to so long, I could
scarcely eat them.
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