The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World, Vol. III. Being the First of the Second VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World, Vol. III. Being the First of the Second Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
When we returned to the ships, we found them crowded round with canoes
full of hogs, fowls, and fruit, as at our first arrival. I had not been
long on board, before Oree himself came, to inform me, as we understood,
that the robbers were taken, and to desire us to go on shore, either to
punish, or to see them punished; but this could not be done, as the
Resolution was just under sail, and the Adventure already out of the
harbour. The chief stayed on board till we were a full half league out
at sea, then took a most affectionate leave of me, and went away in a
canoe, conducted by one man and himself, all the others having gone long
before. I was sorry that it was not convenient for me to go on shore
with him, to see in what manner these people would have been punished;
for I am satisfied, this was what brought him on board.
During our short stay at the small but fertile isle of Huaheine, we
procured to both ships not less than three hundred hogs, beside fowls
and fruits; and, had we stayed longer, might have got many more; for
none of these articles of refreshment were seemingly diminished, but
appeared every where in as great abundance as ever.
Before we quitted this island Captain Furneaux agreed to receive on
board his ship a young man named Omai, a native of Ulietea, where he had
had some property, of which he had been dispossessed by the people of
Bolabola. I at first rather wondered that Captain Furneaux would
encumber himself with this man, who, in my opinion, was not a proper
sample of the inhabitants of these happy islands, not having any
advantage of birth, or acquired rank, nor being eminent in shape,
figure, or complexion. For their people of the first rank are much
fairer, and usually better behaved, and more intelligent, than the
middling class of people, among whom Omai is to be ranked. I have,
however, since my arrival in England, been convinced of my error: for,
excepting his complexion, (which is undoubtedly of a deeper hue than
that of the _earees_ or gentry, who, as in other countries, live a more
luxurious life, and are less exposed to the heat of the sun,) I much
doubt whether any other of the natives would have given more general
satisfaction by his behaviour among us. Omai has most certainly a very
good understanding, quick parts, and honest principles; he has a natural
good behaviour, which rendered him acceptable to the best company, and a
proper degree of pride, which taught him to avoid the society of persons
of inferior rank. He has passions of the same kind as other young men,
but has judgment enough not to indulge them in an improper excess. I do
not imagine that he has any dislike to liquor; and if he had fallen into
company where the person who drank the most met with the most
approbation, I have no doubt but that he would have endeavoured to gain
the applause of those with whom he associated; but, fortunately for him,
he perceived that drinking was very little in use but among inferior
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