Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to NordenskioldKingston, William Henry Giles
History
Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to Nordenskiold
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Explorers; Voyages and travels
An ample supply of fresh water having been taken on board, preparations
were made for sailing. Before leaving, Captain Schouten and Le Maire
went on shore, accompanied by their trumpeters, whose music highly
pleased the King. The friendly disposition exhibited by the tawny
sovereigns was, they suspected, as much from fear as love, for he
offered them ten hogs and a large quantity of cocoa-nuts, if they would
quit his island in a couple of days. It was evident that he suspected
the Dutch of having some design to seize his country. He requested
them, notwithstanding this, to assist him in a war he was carrying on
with the inhabitants of another part of the island. This they declined
doing. He, however, fearlessly paid them a return visit on board the
_Unity_. On coming up the side he made some cabalistic signs, or, as
the Dutch supposed, offered up prayers to his idols, and he did the same
at the door of every cabin he entered. When the Dutchmen went on shore
the inhabitants showed them the most abject marks of respect, by kissing
their feet and placing them on their necks.
The name of _Horn_ was given to this island. It is divided into two
portions, joined by a narrow low neck of land, which gives it the
appearance of two islands.
The friendly King sent on board on the morning of the 30th of May to say
that another King was coming to visit him, and to request that drums and
trumpets from the ship might be in attendance to do his visitor honour.
This request was readily granted. Soon after the other King made his
appearance, accompanied by a train of three hundred naked Indians,
having bunches of green herbs stuck about their waists, of which herb
they make their drink. They brought also a present of sixteen hogs.
When the two Kings came in sight of each other, they began to bow and to
utter certain prayers. As they met, they both fell prostrate on the
ground, and after making several strange gestures, they got up and
walked to two seats provided for them. Having uttered more prayers and
bowed reverently to each other, they sat down under the same canopy,
while the drums and trumpets from the ship played a march, to their
great entertainment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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