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
On our first coming to the place, I observed several men running to and
fro in the woods, with clubs and bundles of darts in their hands; and
Omai, who followed them, had some stones thrown at him, so that it
seemed as if they had intended to oppose any step I should take by
force; but, on seeing my party was too strong, had dropped the design. I
was confirmed in this notion, by observing that all their houses were
empty. After getting a few of the people of the place together, I
desired Omai to expostulate with them on the absurdity of the conduct
they were pursuing; and to tell them that, from the testimony of many on
whom I could depend, I was well assured, that the goat was in their
possession, and, therefore, insisted upon its being delivered up,
otherwise I would burn their houses and canoes. But notwithstanding all
that I or Omai could say, they continued to deny their having any
knowledge of it. The consequence was, that I set fire to six or eight
houses, which were presently consumed, with two or three war-canoes that
lay contiguous to them. This done, I marched off to join the boats,
which were about seven or eight miles from us; and, in our way, we burnt
six more war-canoes, without any one attempting to oppose us; on the
contrary, many assisted, though probably, more out of fear than
good-will. In one place, Omai, who had advanced a little before, came
back with information that a great many men were getting together to
attack us. We made ready to receive them, but instead of enemies we
found petitioners with plantain-trees in their hands, which they laid
down at my feet, and begged that I would spare a canoe that lay close
by, which I readily complied with.
At length, about four in the afternoon, we got to the boats, that were
waiting at Wharrarade, the district belonging to Tiarataboonoue; but
this chief, as well as all the principal people of the place, had fled
to the hills; though I touched not a single thing that was their
property, as they were the friends of Otoo. After resting ourselves here
about an hour, we set out for the ships, where we arrived about eight
o’clock in the evening. At that time, no account of the goat had been
received; so that the operations of this day had not produced the
desired effect.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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