The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. IV. Being the Second of the Second Voyage.Cook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. IV. Being the Second of the Second Voyage.
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
As soon as the surgeon got ashore, he dressed the man’s wounds, and bled
him; and was of opinion that he was in no sort of danger, as the shot
had done little more than penetrate the skin. In the operation, some
poultice being wanting, the surgeon asked for ripe plantains; but they
brought sugar-cane, and having chewed it to a pulp, gave it him to apply
to the wound. This being of a more balsamic nature than the other,
proves that these people have some knowledge of simples. As soon as the
man’s wounds were dressed, I made him a present, which his master, or at
least the man who owned the canoe, took most probably to himself.
Matters being thus settled, apparently to the satisfaction of all
parties, we repaired on board to dinner, where I found a good supply of
fruit and roots, and therefore gave orders to get every thing in
readiness to sail.
I now was informed of a circumstance which was observed on board:
several canoes being at the ship, when the great guns were fired in the
morning, they all retired, but one man, who was bailing the water out of
his canoe, which lay along-side, directly under the guns. When the first
was fired, he just looked up, and then, quite unconcerned, continued his
work; nor had the second gun any other effect upon him; he did not stir
till the water was all out of his canoe, when he paddled leisurely off.
This man had several times been observed to take fruit and roots out of
other canoes, and sell them to us. If the owners did not willingly part
with them, he took them by force; by which he obtained the appellation
of custom-house officer. One time, after he had been collecting tribute,
he happened to be lying along-side of a sailing canoe which was on
board. One of her people seeing him look another way, and his attention
otherwise engaged, took the opportunity of stealing somewhat out of his
canoe; they then put off, and set their sail; but the man, perceiving
the trick they had played him, darted after them, and having soon got on
board their canoe, beat him who had taken his things, and not only
brought back his own but many other articles which he took from them.
This man had likewise been observed making collections on shore at the
trading-place. I remembered to have seen him there; and, on account of
his gathering tribute, took him to be a man of consequence, and was
going to make him a present; but some of their people would not let me;
saying he was no _Areeke_, (that is, chief). He had his hair always
powdered with some kind of white dust.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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