A voyage to the South Sea : $b Undertaken by command of His Majesty for the purpose of conveying the bread-fruit tree to the West Indies in His Majesty's ship the Bounty commanded by Lieutenant William Bligh; including an account of the mutiny on board the said ship and the subsequent voyage of part of the crew in the ship's boat from Tofoa, one of the Friendly Islands, to Timor, a Dutch settlement in the East IndiesBligh, William
History
A voyage to the South Sea : $b Undertaken by command of His Majesty for the purpose of conveying the bread-fruit tree to the West Indies in His Majesty's ship the Bounty commanded by Lieutenant William Bligh; including an account of the mutiny on board the said ship and the subsequent voyage of part of the crew in the ship's boat from Tofoa, one of the Friendly Islands, to Timor, a Dutch settlement in the East Indies
Bligh, William
Bounty (Ship); Bounty Mutiny, 1789; Oceania -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Voyages and travels
I was assured by Oediddee and several others that the vines planted at
the island Huaheine by Captain Cook had succeeded and bore fruit; and
that some of the other plants, both at Huaheine and at Oaitepeha, a
district on the south-east part of Otaheite, had been preserved and were
in a thriving state. I was likewise informed that there was a bull and a
cow alive at Otaheite but on different parts of the island, the former at
a place called Itteah, the latter at the district of Tettaha. All the
rest were taken away or destroyed by the people of Eimeo. As Tettaha was
at no great distance I determined to go thither myself the first
opportunity, and make enquiries in hopes that the breed might still be
preserved.
I had much discourse with my guests about Omai: they confirmed to me that
he died about thirty months after Captain Cook left the islands. Soon
after Captain Cook's departure from Huaheine there were some disputes
between the people of that island and those of Ulietea in which also the
natives of Bolabola took a part. Omai, who was become of consequence from
the possessing three or four muskets and some ammunition, was consulted
on the occasion. Such was his opinion and assurances of success that a
war was determined on and took place immediately. Victory soon followed
through the means of those few arms and many of the Ulietea and Bolabola
men were killed. In this contest their flints proved bad, or probably the
locks of the muskets had got out of order: this they remedied by a
lighted stick, one man presenting the musket and another with the burnt
stick setting fire to the priming; without which contrivance their arms
would have proved useless. This expedition it seems consumed all their
ammunition. Peace was soon after established, but I did not understand
that Omai had increased his possessions or his rank. Nevertheless I have
reason to conclude that he was in some degree of favour with his
countrymen from the general good character which they give of him. It
appears that he always remembered England with kindness; for his accounts
to his countrymen have been such as to give them not only a great idea of
our power and consequence but of our friendship and goodwill towards him.
Tyvarooah, the eldest of the New Zealand boys that were left with him,
died a short time after Omai: about Coah, the youngest, I had always
doubtful accounts till I came to Huaheine, where I learnt that he
likewise was dead.
CHAPTER 8.
Expedition to Tettaba after a Heifer.
Extraordinary domestic Arrangements.
Tinah's Mother visits the Ship.
A Sheep brought from Ulietea.
Heavy Storm.
Death of the Surgeon.
Taowne and Toahroah Harbours examined.
1788. November.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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