Celebrated Travels and Travellers Vol 2 First part chapter IV - Captain Cook’s second voyage part 1c

Jules Verne (0:00)

Section 17 of Celebrated Travels and Travellers, Volume 2 This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit librivox.org. Recording by Bob Rose. Celebrated Travels and Travellers, Volume 2 Great Navigators of the Eighteenth Century by Jules Verne. First part, Chapter 4, Part 1 Captain Cook's Second Voyage, 1C.

Cook directed his course to Hua Hin Island, which was only twenty-five leagues distant, and anchored there at three in the morning. The natives brought quantities of large fowls, which were the more acceptable, as it had been impossible to obtain any at Tahiti. Pigs, dogs and fruit were in the market, and were exchanged for hatchets, nails and glassware. This island, like Tahiti, showed traces of earlier volcanic eruptions, and the summit of one of its hills resembled a crater. The appearance of the country is similar to that of Tahiti, but is on a smaller scale, for Hua Hin is only seven or eight leagues in circumference. Cook went to see his old friend, Orea. The king, dispensing with all ceremony, threw himself on the captain's neck and shed tears of joy. Then he presented him to his friends, to whom the captain gave presents. The king offered Cook all his most precious possessions, for he looked upon this man as a father. Orea promised to supply the English with all they needed, and most loyally kept his word. However, on the morning of the sixth, the sailors who presided over the traffic were insulted by a native covered with red, in wardress and holding a club, who threatened everyone.

Cook landing at this moment threw himself on the native, struggled with him, and finally possessed himself of the weapon which he broke.

The same day another incident occurred. Sparman had imprudently penetrated to the interior of the island to make botanical researches.

Some natives taking advantage of the moment, when he was examining a plant, snatched a dagger which was the only weapon he carried from his belt, gave him a blow on the head, and rushing upon him tore some of his clothes. Sparman however managed to rise and run toward the shore, but hampered by the bushes and briers, he was captured by the natives, who cut his hands to possess themselves of his shirt, the sleeves of which were buttoned, until he tore the wristbands with his teeth. Others of the natives, seeing him naked and half dead, gave him their clothes, and conducted him to the market place, where there was a crowd assembled. When Sparman appeared in this plight, they all took flight without waiting to be told.

Cook at first thought they intended to commit a theft. Undeceived by the appearance of the naturalist, he recalled the other natives, assured them that he would not revenge it upon the innocent, and carried his complaint straight to Aurea.

The latter, miserable and furious at what had occurred, loaded his people with vehement reproaches, and promised to do all in his power to find out the robbers and the stolen things. In spite of the prayers of the natives, the king embarked in the captain's vessel and entered upon a search for the culprits with him. The latter had removed their clothes, and for a while it was impossible to recognize them. Aurea, therefore, accompanied Cook on board, dined with him, and on his return to land was received by his people, who had not expected his return, with lively expressions of joy. One of the most agreeable reflections suggested by this voyage, says Forrester, is that instead of finding the inhabitants of this island plunged in voluptuousness, as had been falsely affirmed by earlier navigators, we remark the most humane and delicate sentiments among them. There are vicious characters in every society, but we could count fifty more sinners in England or any other civilized country than in these islands.

As the vessels were putting off, Aurea came to announce that the robbers were taken and to invite Cook to land and assist in their punishment. It was impossible. The king accompanied Cook half a league on his way and left him with friendly farewells. This stay in port had been very productive. The two vessels brought away more than three hundred pigs and quantities of fowl and fruits. Probably they would not have procured much more, even had their stay been prolonged. Captain Fernow had agreed to take a young man named Omai on board. His conduct and intelligence gave a favorable idea of the inhabitants of the society islands. Upon his arrival in England, this Tahitian was presented to the king by Earl Sandwich, first lord of the Admiralty. At the same time he found protectors and friends in Banks and Solander. They arranged a friendly reception for him among the first families of Great Britain. He lived two years in this country and upon Cook's third voyage he accompanied him and returned to his native land. The captain afterwards visited Yuletayat, where the natives gave him the most appreciative welcome. They inquired with interest about Tupia and the English they had seen in the endeavor. King Aureo hastened to renew his acquaintance with the captain and gave him all the provisions his island produced. During their stay, Pareo, who had embarked in the resolution, landed with the young Tahitian girl, who had enchanted him and would not return on board. He was replaced by a young man of seventeen or eighteen years of age, a native of Bolabola, named Oedidi, who announced his wish to go to England. The grief evinced by this native on leaving his native land spoke well for his good heart.