The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. II. Being the Second of the First VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. II. Being the Second of the First Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
As soon as he was settled in his new habitation, he sent for Tupia, who
till now had continued on board upon account of his illness, which was
of the bilious kind, and for which he had obstinately refused to take
any medicine. He soon came ashore, with his boy Tayeto, and, though
while he was on board, and after he came into the boat, he was
exceedingly listless and dejected, he no sooner entered the town than he
seemed to be animated with a new soul. The houses, carriages, streets,
people, and a multiplicity of other objects, all new, which rushed upon
him at once, produced an effect like the sudden and secret power that is
imagined of fascination. Tayeto expressed his wonder and delight with
still less restraint, and danced along the street in a kind of extasy,
examining every object with a restless and eager curiosity, which was
every moment excited and gratified. One of the first things that Tupia
remarked, was the various dresses of the passing multitude, concerning
which he made many enquiries; and when he was told that in this place
where people of many different nations were assembled, every one wore
the habit of his country, he desired that he might conform to the
custom, and appear in that of Otaheite. South Sea cloth was therefore
sent for from the ship, and he equipped himself with great expedition
and dexterity. The people who had seen Otourou, the Indian who had been
brought hither by M. Bougainville, enquired whether Tupia was not the
same person: from these enquiries, we learned who it was that we had
supposed to be Spaniards, from the accounts that had been given of two
ships by the Islanders.
In the mean time, I procured an order to the superintendant of the
island of Onrust, where the ship was to be repaired, to receive her
there; and sent by one of the ships that sailed for Holland, an account
of our arrival here, to Mr. Stephens, the Secretary to the Admiralty.
The expenses that would be incurred by repairing and refitting the ship,
rendered it necessary for me to take up money in this place, which I
imagined might be done without difficulty, but I found myself mistaken;
for, after the most diligent enquiry, I could not find any private
person that had ability and inclination to advance the sum that I
wanted. In this difficulty I applied to the Governor himself, by a
written request; in consequence of which, the Shebander had orders to
supply me with what money I should require out of the Company’s
Treasury.
On the 18th, as soon as it was light, having by several accidents and
mistakes suffered a delay of many days, I took up the anchor, and ran
down to Onrust: a few days afterwards, we went along-side of the wharf,
on Cooper’s Island, which lies close to Onrust, in order to take out our
stores.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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