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
As soon as the ships were under sail, at the request of Otoo, and to
gratify the curiosity of his people, I fired seven guns, loaded with
shot; after which, all our friends, except him, and two or three more,
left us with such marks of affection and grief, as sufficiently shewed
how much they regretted our departure. Otoo being desirous of seeing the
ship sail, I made a stretch out to sea, and then in again; when he also
bid us farewell, and went ashore in his canoe.
The frequent visits we have lately paid to this island, seem to have
created a full persuasion, that the intercourse will not be
discontinued. It was strictly enjoined to me by Otoo, to request, in his
name, the _Earee rahie no Pretane_, to send him, by the next ships, red
feathers, and the birds that produce them; axes; half a dozen muskets,
with powder and shot; and, by no means, to forget horses.
I have occasionally mentioned my receiving considerable presents from
Otoo, and the rest of the family, without specifying what returns I
made. It is customary for these people, when they make a present, to let
us know what they expect in return; and we find it necessary to gratify
them; so that what we get by way of present, comes dearer than what we
get by barter. But as we were sometimes pressed by occasional scarcity,
we could have recourse to our friends for a present, or supply, when we
could not get our wants relieved by any other method; and therefore,
upon the whole, this way of traffic was full as advantageous to us as to
the natives. For the most part, I paid for each separate article as I
received it, except in my intercourse with Otoo. His presents generally
came so fast upon me, that no account was kept between us. Whatever he
asked for, that I could spare, he had whenever he asked for it; and I
always found him moderate in his demands.
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