The Cannibal Islands: Captain Cook's Adventure in the South SeasBallantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)
History
The Cannibal Islands: Captain Cook's Adventure in the South Seas
Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)
Cook, James, 1728-1779; Oceania -- Discovery and exploration
Very different was it on board the ships. These, not being tabooed,
were overwhelmed with visitors, particularly women, who flocked on board
in such numbers that the men were obliged to clear the decks almost
every hour in order to have room to attend to their duties--on which
occasions two or three hundred women were frequently made to jump into
the water at once, where they continued swimming and playing about until
they could again obtain admittance!
While, however, the priests of the island were very attentive to their
visitors--sending them gifts of pigs and vegetables with extreme
liberality, and expecting nothing in return, the warrior chiefs were not
so disinterested. They expected and received many gifts, and they were
so much addicted to theft that a constant watch had to be kept upon
them, while examples had occasionally to be made of those who were
caught in the act. Soon after their arrival the ships were visited in
state by the King of the island, whose name was Terreeoboo. Some of his
chiefs accompanied him, and all of them were dressed in rich feathered
cloaks and helmets, and armed with long spears and daggers. Along with
them they brought their idols, which were gigantic busts made of
wicker-work, curiously covered with small feathers. Their eyes were
made of large pearl oysters, with a black nut fixed in the centre of
each; double rows of dogs' teeth ornamented their mouths, and their
features were strangely distorted. The King and his friends were
hospitably received. Presents were made, and expressions of good-will
and friendship interchanged.
Thus everything went on prosperously. The refitting and provisioning
were completed; games and ceremonies were witnessed; and finally the
ships left the island with the good wishes of a people who had treated
their visitors with singular kindness and hospitality during the whole
period of their sojourn.
Unfortunately, soon afterwards, the _Resolution_ was so much damaged in
a gale, that it was found necessary to return to Karakakooa Bay for
repairs. To the surprise of the voyagers their reception on this
occasion was very different from what it had been at first. There was
no shouting, no bustle, no coming off in shoals--only here and there a
canoe was seen stealing along the solitary shore. On inquiry, they were
told that King Terreeoboo was absent, and had laid the bay under taboo!
This looked very suspicious. However, as there was no help for it, they
landed their men with the foremast of one of the ships, which required
repair, and for two or three days pushed forward their work busily,
expecting that when the king returned and removed the interdict, the
natives would flock round them with the same good feeling as before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account