The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. I. Being the First of the First Voyage.Cook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. I. Being the First of the First Voyage.
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
defence: a four-pounder, loaded with grape-shot, was then discharged
wide of them, which produced the desired effect; the report, the flash,
and above all, the shot, which spread very far in the water, so
intimidated them, that they began to paddle away with all their might:
Tupia, however, calling after them, and assuring them that if they would
come unarmed, they should be kindly received; the people in one of the
boats put their arms on board of another, and came under the ship’s
stern; we made them several presents, and should certainly have
prevailed upon them to come on board, if the other canoes had not come
up, and again threatened us, by shouting and brandishing their weapons:
at this the people who had come to the ship unarmed, expressed great
displeasure, and soon after they all went away.
In the afternoon we stood over to the south point of the bay, but not
reaching it before it was dark, we stood off and on all night. At eight
the next morning, being a-breast of the point, several fishing boats
came off to us, and sold us some stinking fish: it was the best they
had, and we were willing to trade with them upon any terms: these people
behaved very well, and we should have parted good friends if it had not
been for a large canoe, with two-and-twenty armed men on board, which
came boldly up along-side of the ship. We soon saw that this boat had
nothing for traffic, yet we gave them two or three pieces of cloth, an
article which they seemed very fond of. I observed that one man had a
black skin thrown over him, somewhat resembling that of a bear, and
being desirous to know what animal was its first owner, I offered him
for it a piece of red baize, and he seemed greatly pleased with the
bargain, immediately pulling off the skin, and holding it up in the
boat; he would not, however, part with it till he had the cloth in his
possession, and as there could be no transfer of property, if with equal
caution I had insisted upon the same condition, I ordered the cloth to
be handed down to him, upon which, with amazing coolness, instead of
sending up the skin, he began to pack up both that and the baize, which
he had received as the purchase of it, in a basket, without paying the
least regard to my demand or remonstrances, and soon after, with the
fishing boats, put off from the ship; when they were at some distance,
they drew together, and after a short consultation returned; the
fishermen offered more fish, which, though good for nothing, was
purchased, and trade was again renewed. Among others who were placed
over the ship’s side to hand up what we bought, was little Tayeto,
Tupia’s boy; and one of the Indians, watching his opportunity, suddenly
seized him, and dragged him down into the canoe; two of them held him
down in the forepart of it, and the others, with great activity, paddled
her off, the rest of the canoes following as fast as they could; upon
this the marines, who were under arms upon deck, were ordered to fire.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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