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
The treatment these men met with, induced many more to visit us between
one and two the next morning, in both great and small canoes. Some
ventured on board the ship; but not till some of our people had stepped
into their boats. Amongst those who came on board, was a good-looking
middle-aged man, whom we afterward found to be the chief. He was clothed
in a dress made of the sea-otter’s skin; and had on his head such a cap
as is worn by the people of King George’s Sound, ornamented with
sky-blue glass beads, about the size of a large pea. He seemed to set a
much higher value upon these, than upon our white glass beads. Any sort
of beads, however, appeared to be in high estimation with these people;
and they readily gave whatever they had in exchange for them; even their
fine sea-otter skins. But here I must observe, that they set no more
value upon these than upon other skins, which was also the case at King
George’s Sound, till our people set a higher price upon them; and even
after that, the natives of both places would sooner part with a dress
made of these, than with one made of the skins of wild cats or of
martins.
These people were also desirous of iron; but they wanted pieces eight or
ten inches long at least, and of the breadth of three or four fingers.
For they absolutely rejected small pieces. Consequently they got but
little from us; iron having, by this time, become rather a scarce
article. The points of some of their spears or lances were of that
metal; others were of copper, and a few of bone; of which the points of
their darts, arrows, &c. were composed. I could not prevail upon the
chief to trust himself below the upper deck; nor did he and his
companions remain long on board. But while we had their company, it was
necessary to watch them narrowly, as they soon betrayed a thievish
disposition. At length, after being about three or four hours alongside
the Resolution, they all left her, and went to the Discovery; none
having been there before, except one man, who at this time, came from
her, and immediately returned thither in company with the rest. When I
observed this, I thought this man had met with something there, which he
knew would please his countrymen better than what they met with at our
ship. But in this I was mistaken, as will soon appear.
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