The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. V. Being the First of the Third VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. V. Being the First of the Third Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
We found this islot near a half larger than the other, and almost
entirely covered with cocoa-palms; the greatest part of which abounded
with excellent nuts, having often both old and young on the same tree.
They were, indeed, too thick in many places to grow with freedom. The
other productions were, in general, the same as at the first islot. Two
pieces of board, one of which was rudely carved, with an elliptical
paddle, were found on the beach. Probably, these had belonged to the
same canoe, the remains of which were seen on the other beach, as the
two islots are not above half a mile apart. A young turtle had also been
lately thrown ashore here, as it was still full of maggots. There were
fewer crabs than at the last place; but we found some scorpions, a few
other insects, and a greater number of fish upon the reefs. Amongst
these were some large eels, beautifully spotted, which, when followed,
would raise themselves out of the water, and endeavour, with an open
mouth, to bite their pursuers. The other sorts were, chiefly,
parrot-fish, snappers, and a brown spotted rock-fish, about the size of
a haddock, so tame, that, instead of swimming away, it would remain
fixed, and gaze at us. Had we been in absolute want, a sufficient supply
might have been had; for thousands of the clams, already mentioned,
stuck upon the reef, some of which weighed two or three pounds. There
were, besides, some other sorts of shell-fish; particularly, the large
periwinkle. When the tide flowed, several sharks came in, over the reef,
some of which our people killed; but they rendered it rather dangerous
to walk in the water at that time.
The party who were left on shore with Mr. Williamson, were a good deal
pestered, (as Mr. Gore’s had been) with musquitoes, in the night. Some
of them, in their excursions, shot two curlews, exactly like those of
England; and saw some plovers, or sand-pipers, upon the shore; but, in
the wood, no other bird besides one or two of the cuckoos that were seen
at Wenooa-ette.
Upon the whole, we did not spend our time unprofitably at this islot;
for we got there about twelve hundred cocoa-nuts, which were equally
divided amongst the whole crew; and were, doubtless, of great use to
them, both on account of the juice and of the kernel. A ship, therefore,
passing this way, if the weather be moderate, may expect to succeed as
we did. But there is no water upon either of the islots where we landed.
Were that article to be had, and a passage could be got into the lake,
as we may call it, surrounded by the reef, where a ship could anchor, I
should prefer this to any of the inhabited islands, if the only want
were refreshment; for the quantity of fish that might be procured, would
be sufficient; and the people might roam about unmolested by the
petulance of any inhabitants.
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