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
At the end of their first visit the Spaniards took away four natives to
Lima; one died, one remained at Lima, and the other two returned with the
ships; but Cook thinks they were not improved by their experience, and
had not added to their respectability in the eyes of their countrymen.
In view of the cold climate to be faced in the near future, Cook was
desirous to save his stock of spirits, and mustered the crew of the
Resolution in order to explain the position; he pointed out that the
supply of coconuts was abundant, and the benefit of the spirits would be
appreciated amongst the cold winds and ice of the north, but left the
decision to them. He was gratified to find the crew was willing to accept
his suggestion, and ordered Clerke to put the matter before the crew of
the Discovery, when it was again well received. An order was accordingly
issued to stop:
"serving grog except on Saturday nights, when they had full allowance to
drink to their female friends in England, lest amongst the pretty girls
of Otaheite, they should be wholly forgotten."
During a state visit paid by the chief of the district, at which Omai
attended "dressed in a strange medley of all he was possessed of," Cook
was informed that the Spaniards laid claim to the country, and had given
instructions that Cook was not to be allowed to land if he returned.
However, the chief executed a formal surrender of his province to Cook,
and presents were exchanged, the whole ceremony ending with a display of
fireworks which "both pleased and astonished" the natives. Some of the
civilians reported that they had discovered a Roman Catholic chapel in
their walks; but on inspection it proved to be what Cook at once
suspected, the grave of a chief decorated with different coloured cloths
and mats, and a piece of scarlet broadcloth which had been given by the
Spaniards.
RED FEATHERS.
On the 23rd August the two ships arrived in Matavai Bay, where they were
well received by Otoo, who was gratified by a present of a fine linen
suit, a hat with a gold band, some tools, a feather helmet from the
Friendly Islands, and, what he seemed to value most, a large bunch of the
celebrated red feathers. In return he sent on board the ships enough food
to have lasted both crews for a week, if it had only been possible to
keep it good for that length of time. The royal family dined on board the
Resolution; and after dinner Cook and Omai called on Oparee, taking with
them a peacock and peahen sent to the island by Lord Bessborough, a
turkey cock and hen, a gander and three geese, a drake and four ducks to
make a start in stocking the island. A gander was seen, which the natives
said had been left by Wallis ten years previously; several goats and a
bull left by the Spaniards were also seen, so Cook landed three cows as
company for the last. The horses and sheep were also landed, and Cook
remarks that getting rid of all these animals lightened him:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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