A Narrative of the Death of Captain James Cook — John Shaqi
A Narrative of the Death of Captain James CookSamwell, David
History
A Narrative of the Death of Captain James Cook
Samwell, David
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Death and burial
It was remarkable, that in the midst of the hurry and confusion
attending this affair, Kanynah[3] (Kanaina), a chief who had always been
on terms particularly friendly with us, came from the spot where it
happened, with a hog to sell on board the "Discovery:" it was of an
extraordinary large size, and he demanded for it a pahowa (pahoa), or
dagger, of an unusual length. He pointed to us, that it must be as long
as his arm. Captain Clerke not having one of that length, told him, he
would get one made for him by the morning; with which being satisfied,
he left the hog, and went ashore without making any stay with us. It
will not be altogether foreign to the subject, to mention a
circumstance, that happened to-day on board the "Resolution." An Indian
Chief asked Captain Cook at his table, if he was a Tata Toa (Hakaka
Koa); which means a fighting man, or a soldier. Being answered in the
affirmative, he desired to see his wounds: Captain Cook held out his
right-hand, which had a scar upon it, dividing the thumb from the
finger, the whole length of the metacarpal bones. The Indian, being thus
convinced of his being a Toa (Koa), put the same question to another
gentleman present, but he happened to have none of those distinguishing
marks: the chief then said, that he himself was a Toa (Koa), and showed
the scars of some wounds he had received in battle. Those who were on
duty at the observatories, were disturbed during the night, with shrill
and melancholy sounds, issuing from the adjacent villages, which they
took to be the lamentations of the women. Perhaps the quarrel between
us, might have filled their minds with apprehensions for the safety of
their husbands: but, be that as it may, their mournful cries struck the
sentinels with unusual awe and terror.
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