The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VI. Being the Second of the Third VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VI. Being the Second of the Third Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
Though I did not see a chief of any note, there were, however, several,
as the natives informed us, who reside upon Atooi, and to whom they
prostrate themselves as a mark of submission, which seems equivalent to
the _moe_, _moea_, paid to the chiefs of the Friendly Islands, and is
called here _hamoea_ or _moe_. Whether they were at first afraid to show
themselves, or happened to be absent, I cannot say; but after I had left
the island, one of these great men made his appearance, and paid a visit
to Captain Clerke on board the Discovery. He came off in a double canoe,
and, like the king of the Friendly Islands, paid no regard to the small
canoes that happened to lie in his way, but ran against or over them,
without endeavouring in the least to avoid them. And it was not possible
for these poor people to avoid him, for they could not manage their
canoes, it being a necessary mark of their submission, that they should
lie down till he had passed. His attendants helped him into the ship,
and placed him on the gang-way. Their care of him did not cease then,
for they stood round him holding each other by the hands; nor would they
suffer any one to come near him but Captain Clerke himself. He was a
young man, clothed from head to foot, and accompanied by a young woman
supposed to be his wife. His name was said to be Tamahano. Captain
Clerke made him some suitable presents, and received from him in return,
a large bowl supported by two figures of men, the carving of which, both
as to the design and execution, showed some degree of skill. This bowl,
as our people were told, used to be filled with the _kava_, or _ava_ (as
it is called at Otaheite), which liquor they prepare and drink here, as
at the other islands in this ocean. Captain Clerke could not prevail
upon this great man to go below, nor to move from the place where his
attendants had first fixed him. After staying some time in his ship, he
was carried again into his canoe, and returned to the island, receiving
the same honours from all the natives, as when he came on board. The
next day several messages were sent to Captain Clerke, inviting him to
return the visit ashore, and acquainting him that the chief had prepared
a large present on that occasion. But being anxious to get to sea and
join the Resolution, the Captain did not think it advisable to accept of
the invitation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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