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
This conspiracy, as it may be called, was first discovered by a girl,
whom one of the officers had brought from Huaheine. She, overhearing
some of the Ulieteans say, that they would seize Captain Clerke and Mr.
Gore, ran to acquaint the first of our people that she met with. Those
who were charged with the execution of the design threatened to kill
her, as soon as we should leave the island, for disappointing them.
Being aware of this, we contrived that her friends should come some days
after and take her out of the ship, to convey her to a place of safety,
where she might lie concealed, till they should have an opportunity of
sending her back to Huaheine.
On the 27th, our observatories were taken down, and every thing we had
ashore carried on board; the moorings of the ships were cast off, and we
transported them a little way down the harbour, where they came to an
anchor again. Toward the afternoon, the natives began to shake off their
fears, gathering round and on board the ships as usual; and the awkward
transaction of the day before seemed to be forgotten on both sides.
The following night, the wind blew in hard squalls from south to east,
attended with heavy showers of rain. In one of the squalls, the cable,
by which the Resolution was riding, parted just without the hawse. We
had another anchor ready to let go, so that the ship was presently
brought up again. In the afternoon, the wind became moderate; and we
hooked the end of the best small bower cable, and got it again into the
hawse.
Oreo, the chief, being uneasy as well as myself, that no account had
been received from Bolabola, set out this evening for that island, and
desired me to follow down the next day with the ships. This was my
intention; but the wind which kept us in the harbour, brought Oreo back
from Bolabola with the two deserters. They had reached Otaha the same
night they deserted; but finding it impossible to get to any of the
islands to the eastward (which was their intention), for want of wind,
they had proceeded to Bolabola, and from thence to the small island
Toobaee, where they were taken by the father of Pootoe, in consequence
of the first message sent to Opoony. As soon as they were on board, the
three prisoners were released. Thus ended an affair which had given me
much trouble and vexation. Nor would I have exerted myself so resolutely
on the occasion, but for the reason before-mentioned, and to save the
son of a brother officer from being lost to his country.
The wind continued constantly between the north and west, and confined
us in the harbour till eight o’clock in the morning of the 7th of
December; when we took the advantage of a light breeze which then sprung
up at north-east, and with the assistance of all the boats got out to
sea, with the Discovery in company.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account