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
Those in the first canoe, which came along-side, were fishers, and
exchanged some fish for pieces of cloth and nails. In the next, were two
men, whom, by their dress and behaviour, I took to be chiefs. These two
were easily prevailed on to come on board, when they were presented with
nails, and other articles. They were so fond of nails, as to seize on
all they could find, and with such eagerness, as plainly showed they
were the most valuable things we could give them. To the principal of
these two men I gave the pigs, fowls, seeds, and roots. I believe, at
first, he did not think I meant to give them to him; for he took but
little notice of them, till he was satisfied they were for himself. Nor
was he then in such a rapture as when I gave him a spike-nail half the
length of his arm. However, at his going away, I took notice, that he
very well remembered how many pigs and fowls had been given him, as he
took care to have them all collected together, and kept a watchful eye
over them, lest any should be taken away. He made me a promise not to
kill any; and if he keeps his word, and proper care is taken of them,
there were enough to stock the whole island in due time; being two
boars, two sows, four hens, two cocks. The seeds were such as are most
useful, viz. wheat, French and kidney beans, pease, cabbage, turnips,
onions, carrots, parsnips, and yams, &c. With these articles they were
dismissed. It was evident these people had not forgot the Endeavour
being on their coast; for the first words they spoke to us were, _Mataou
no te pow pow_ (we are afraid of the guns). As they could be no
strangers to the affair which happened off Cape Kidnapper in my former
voyage, experience had taught them to have some regard to these
instruments of death.
As soon as they were gone, we stretched off to the southward, the wind
having now veered to the W. S. W. In the afternoon it increased to a
fresh gale, and blew in squalls; in one of which we lost our
fore-top-gallant mast, having carried the sail a little too long. The
fear of losing the land induced me to carry as much sail as possible. At
seven in the morning, we tacked and stretched in shore, Cape Turnagain,
at this time, bore about N. W. 1/2 N., distant six or seven leagues. The
Adventure, being a good way to leeward, we supposed, did not observe the
signal, but stood on; consequently was separated from us. During the
night (which was spent in plying) the wind increased in such a manner as
to bring us under our courses; it also veered to S. W. and S. S. W., and
was attended with rain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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