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
Soon after, the procession came in, as on the day before; each two
persons bearing on their shoulders a pole, round the middle of which, a
cocoa-nut leaf was platted. These were deposited with ceremonies similar
to those observed on the preceding day. This first procession was
followed by a second; the men composing which brought baskets, such as
are usually employed by this people to carry provisions in, and made of
palm leaves. These were followed by a third procession, in which were
brought different kinds of small fish; each fixed at the end of a forked
stick. The baskets were carried up to an old man, whom I took to be the
chief priest, and who sat on the prince’s right hand, without the shed.
He held each in his hand, while he made a short speech or prayer; then
laid it down, and called for another, repeating the same words as
before; and thus he went through the whole number of baskets. The fish
were presented, one by one on the forked sticks, as they came in, to two
men who sat on the left; and who, till now, held green branches in their
hands. The first fish they laid down on their right, and the second on
their left. When the third was presented, a stout looking man, who sat
behind the other two, reached his arm over between them, and made a
snatch at it; as also did the other two, at the very same time. Thus
they seemed to contend for every fish that was presented; but as there
were two hands against one, besides the advantage of situation, the man
behind got nothing but pieces; for he never quitted his hold, till the
fish was torn out of his hand; and what little remained in it, he shook
out behind him. The others laid what they got, on the right and left
alternately. At length, either by accident or design, the man behind got
possession of a whole fish, without either of the other two so much as
touching it. At this, the word _mareeai_, which signifies _very good_,
or _well done_, was uttered in a low voice throughout the whole crowd.
It seemed, that he had performed now all that was expected from him; for
he made no attempt upon the few fish that came after. These fish, as
also the baskets, were all delivered, by the persons who brought them
in, sitting; and in the same order and manner the small poles, which the
first procession carried, had been laid upon the ground.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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