We Discovered, However, A Number Of Houses
Among The Trees, And Many Canoes Hauled Up Along The Sandy Beaches.
About Half A Mile From The Shore A Ledge Of Rocks Level With The
Water, Extended Parallel To The Land, On Which The Surf Broke, Leaving
A Smooth And Secure Harbour Within.
The sun beginning to illuminate
the plain, its inhabitants arose, and enlivened the scene.
Having
perceived the large vessels on their coast, several of them hastened
to the beach, launched their canoes, and paddled towards us, who were
highly delighted in watching all their occupations." - G.F.
[2] "The natives on board, seeing us work so hard, assisted us in
manning the capstern, hauling in ropes, and performing all sorts of
labour. If they had had the least spark of a treacherous disposition,
they could not have found a better opportunity of distressing us; but
they approved themselves good-natured, and friendly in this, as on all
other occasions." - G.F.
[3] We tried all possible means to engage the people to sell some of
their hogs to us, and offered hatchets, shirts, and other goods of
value to the Taheitans; but still without success, their constant
answer being, that these animals were the king's (aree's) property.
Instead of acquiescing in this refusal, and acknowledging the kind
disposition of the natives, who furnished us at least with the means
of recovering our strength, and restoring our stock, a proposal was
made to the captains, by some persons in the ships, to sweep away, by
force, a sufficient number of hogs for our use, and afterwards to
return such a quantity of our goods in exchange to the natives, as we
should think adequate to the spoil we had taken. This proposal, which
nothing but the most tyrannical principles, and the meanest
selfishness could have dictated, was received with the contempt and
indignation which it justly deserved." - G.F.
This remark is of an earlier date than what is mentioned in the text,
but, in the whole, is more suitably introduced here. It is to the
praise of Cook, that his decision of character was founded on very
liberal views of morality; and that he possessed independence of soul
to manifest abhorrence of sinister suggestions, at the risk of losing
both the advantage aimed at, and the partiality of those who made
them. An apprehension of giving offence to men who are either esteemed
or felt to be useful, has perhaps occasioned as much iniquitous
conduct where the law of the strongest might be adopted, as ever
resulted from the influence of directly vicious principles. But from
this most mischievous weakness, it was one of the excellencies of that
truly great man to be exempt. - E.
SECTION XI.
An Account of several Visits to and from Otoo; of Goats being left on
the Island; and many other Particulars which happened while the Ships lay
in Matavai Bay.
Before we got to an anchor, our decks were crowded with the natives; many
of whom I knew, and almost all of them knew me. A great crowd were gotten
together upon the shore; amongst whom was Otoo their king. I was just going
to pay him a visit, when I was told he was mataow'd, and gone to
Oparree. I could not conceive the reason of his going off in a fright, as
every one seemed pleased to see me. A chief, whose name was Maritata, was
at this time on board, and advised me to put off my visit till the next
morning, when he would accompany me; which I accordingly did.
After having given directions to pitch tents for the reception of the sick,
coopers, sail-makers, and the guard, I set out on the 26th for Oparree;
accompanied by Captain Furneaux, Mr Forster, and others, Maritata and his
wife. As soon as we landed, we were conducted to Otoo, whom we found seated
on the ground, under the shade of a tree, with an immense crowd around him.
After the first compliments were over, I presented him with such articles
as I guessed were most valuable in his eyes; well knowing that it was my
interest to gain the friendship of this man. I also made presents to
several of his attendants; and, in return, they offered me cloth, which I
refused to accept; telling them that what I had given was for tiyo
(friendship). The king enquired for Tupia, and all the gentlemen that were
with me in my former voyage, by name; although I do not remember that he
was personally acquainted with any of us. He promised that I should have
some hogs the next day; but I had much ado to obtain a promise from him to
visit me on board. He said he was, mataou no to poupoue, that is,
afraid of the guns. Indeed all his actions shewed him to be a timorous
prince. He was about thirty years of age, six feet high, and a fine,
personable, well-made man as one can see. All his subjects appeared
uncovered before him, his father not excepted. What is meant by uncovering,
is the making bare the head and shoulders, or wearing no sort of clothing
above the breast.
When I returned from Oparree, I found the tents, and the astronomer's
observatories, set up on the same spot where we observed the transit of
Venus in 1769. In the afternoon, I had the sick landed; twenty from the
Adventure, all ill of the scurvy; and one from the Resolution. I also
landed some marines for a guard, and left the command to Lieutenant
Edgecumbe of the marines.
On the 27th, early in the morning, Otoo, attended by a numerous train, paid
me a visit. He first sent into the ship a large quantity of cloth, fruits,
a hog, and two large fish; and, after some persuasion, came aboard himself,
with his sister, a younger brother, and several more of his attendants. To
all of them I made presents; and, after breakfast, took the king, his
sister, and as many more as I had room for, into my boat, and carried them
home to Oparree.
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