The Life of Captain James Cook, the CircumnavigatorKitson, Arthur
History
The Life of Captain James Cook, the Circumnavigator
Kitson, Arthur
Cook, James, 1728-1779; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Geographers -- Great Britain -- Biography
On arrival Cook was informed his old friend Oree was coming to see him,
so he went ashore to meet him. The boat was hauled up close to the
chief's house, and then five young plantain trees, as emblems of peace,
were carried on board one by one, the first three being each accompanied
by a young pig with his ears ornamented with coconut fibre; the fourth
was accompanied by a dog; and the fifth by the bag which Cook had given
Oree in 1769, containing the pewter plate with the inscription relating
to the Endeavour's visit, and the beads, and imitation coins. On the
advice of his guide, Cook decorated three of the plantains with nails,
medals, beads, etc., and he, Furneaux, and Forster, landed with them in
their hands. They were requested to sit down, and the trees were taken
from them and placed before Oree, the first for God, the second for the
king, and the third for Friendship. The chief then came forward and
greeted Cook in a most affectionate manner, the tears trickling down his
cheeks. Further presents were then exchanged, and the ceremony was over.
SPARRMAN'S MISADVENTURE.
Here they were able to purchase a plentiful supply of everything, pigs,
fowls, and fruit, and Cook says if he had been able to stay longer he
might have bought as much more as everything seemed abundant. The only
disagreeable thing that happened was to Mr. Sparrman, who, out by himself
botanising, was set upon and stripped of everything but his
trousers--Besant substitutes spectacles for trousers. He made his way
towards the boats, and was befriended by a native, who gave him some
cloth to put over his shoulders and escorted him to the others. When Oree
heard of the affair he placed himself in Cook's hands, and did his best
to find out the culprits, and after a time Sparrman's hanger and the
greater part of his things were recovered. It seems probable that some
native law had been unwittingly broken and Sparrman's treatment was meant
as a punishment, for every one else had been particularly well treated.
Before leaving Cook added to Oree's treasures a copper plate on which was
inscribed, "Anchored here, His Britannic Majesty's Ships Resolution and
Adventure, September 1773." Some medals were also given him, and he was
requested to show them to any visitors that came.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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