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
A tabu was placed on the whole of the bay on the 24th, and trading came
to a complete standstill, the reason given being the coming of the king,
Terreeoboo. He arrived the next day, and commerce at once revived. He
paid a private visit, with his wife and children, to the Resolution,
remaining on board some time, and proved to be the same chief they had
seen at the Island of Mowee. The next day he, accompanied by several
important chiefs, all dressed in rich feather cloaks and armed with long
spears and daggers, paid a state visit. Koah was also present in a canoe
with other priests and two large basket-work idols, whose distorted faces
were adorned with pearl-shell eyes and dog's teeth; he was attended by
two other canoes, one filled with pigs and vegetables, and these paddled
round the ships, the priests singing "in most solemn fashion," and
returned to the shore. Cook followed; King turned out the guard and
saluted Terreeoboo, and then conducted him to the tent, where, after
seating himself for a few moments, he took off his helmet and cloak and
placed them on Cook, at the same time ordering five or six more, of great
value, to be placed at his feet. Hogs, bread-fruit, etc., were then
brought in. Cook and Terreeoboo exchanged names as a peculiar mark of
friendship, and the ceremony ended by the presentation of the two
boat-loads of provisions by a deputation of the priests. One of those
present was a nephew of the king, called by the English Maiha-Maiha,
afterwards known to the world as Kamehameha I.
As many of the chiefs as the Resolution's pinnace would hold were taken
off with the king to the ship, and the latter was duly invested with a
white linen shirt and Cook's own sword. During the whole of this
performance no canoes excepting those actually engaged were to be seen in
the bay, and all the natives remained lying on the ground or in their
houses. Clerke, who had been too ill to share in these ceremonies, landed
for the first time on the 28th, and, though quite unexpected, he received
a very handsome present of food, and Terreeoboo paid the Discovery a
state call, taking with him presents similar to those given to Cook. In
the afternoon he paid a second (private) call in a small canoe with three
paddles, one of which he wielded himself. On this occasion there were no
prostrations, but if any native met his chief he simply got out of the
way unless some service was required of him.
The ships were running very short of firewood, and as there was none
growing less than a mile and a half off the sea, Mr. King was ordered to
try and purchase the fence surrounding the top of the Morai. He
hesitated, as he thought that:
"even the bare mention of it might be considered by them [the priests] as
a piece of shocking impiety. In this, however, I found myself mistaken.
Not the smallest surprise was expressed at the application, and the wood
was readily given, even without stipulating for anything in return."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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