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
the house, when we went away, some beads, ribbons, pieces of cloth, and
other presents, which we hoped would procure us the good-will of the
inhabitants when they should return; but the lances which we found lying
about, we took away with us, to the number of about fifty: they were
from six to fifteen feet long, and all of them had four prongs in the
manner of a fish-gig, each of which was pointed with fish-bone, and very
sharp: we observed that they were smeared with a viscous substance of a
green colour, which favoured the opinion of their being poisoned, though
we afterwards discovered that it was a mistake: they appeared, by the
sea-weed that we found sticking to them, to have been used in striking
fish. Upon examining the canoes that lay upon the beach, we found them
to be the worst we had ever seen: they were between twelve and fourteen
feet long, and made of the bark of a tree in one piece, which was drawn
together and tied up at each end, the middle being kept open by sticks,
which were placed across them from gunwale to gunwale as thwarts. We
then searched for fresh water, but found none, except in a small hole
which had been dug in the sand.
Having reimbarked in our boat, we deposited our lances on board the
ship, and then went over to the north point of the bay, where we had
seen several of the inhabitants when we were entering it, but which we
now found totally deserted. Here, however, we found fresh water, which
trickled down from the top of the rocks, and stood in pools among the
hollows at the bottom; but it was situated so as not to be procured for
our use without difficulty.
In the morning, therefore, I sent a party of men to that part of the
shore where we first landed, with orders to dig holes in the sand where
the water might gather; but going ashore myself with the gentlemen soon
afterwards, we found, upon a more diligent search, a small stream, more
than sufficient for our purpose.
Upon visiting the hut where we had seen the children, we were greatly
mortified to find that the beads and ribbons which we had left there the
night before had not been moved from their places, and that not an
Indian was to be seen.
Having sent some empty water-casks on shore, and left a party of men to
cut wood, I went myself in the pinnace to sound, and examine the bay;
during my excursion I saw several of the natives, but they all fled at
my approach. In one of the places where I landed, I found several small
fires, and fresh muscles broiling upon them; here also I found some of
the largest oyster-shells I had ever seen.
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