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

Bob Rose (0:01)

Section 18 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 four, part two. Captain Cook's Second Voyage, 2A.

A fresh visit to Tahiti and the Friendly Islands. Exploration of New Hebrides. Discovery of New Caledonia and Pine Island. Stay in Queen Charlotte Sound, South Georgia. Accident to the Adventure.

After leaving these islands, on the 12th of April, and sailing for Tahiti, Cook fell in five days later with the Pomontu Archipelago. He landed on the Teoyukea Island of Byron.

The inhabitants who had caused to complain of earlier navigators received the advances of the English coldly. The latter could only obtain about two dozen coconuts and five pigs, which appeared plentiful in this island. In another settlement, a more friendly reception was met with. The natives embraced the newcomers and rubbed their noses in the same fashion as the New Zealanders.

Oedidi bought several dogs, the long and white hair, of whose skins, serves as an ornament for karases in his native land. Forrester relates, The natives told us that they broke up scurvy grass, mixed it with shellfish, and threw it into the sea on the approach of a shoal of fish. This bait intoxicated the fish for a time, and when they came to the surface it was easy to take them. The captain afterwards saw several other islands of this immense archipelago, which were similar to those he had left, especially the pernicious islands, where Rajawine had lost his sloop, the African, and to which Cook gave the name of Palisare Islands. He then steered for Tahiti, which the sailors, certain of the goodwill of the natives, regarded as a home. The Resolution cast anchor in Mahtavai Bay on the 22nd of April, and their reception was as friendly as had been anticipated. A few days later, King O'Toole and several other chiefs visited the English and brought them a present of ten or a dozen large pigs and some fruit. Cook's first idea was to remain in this spot only just long enough for Mr. Wales, the astronomer, to take observations, but the abundance of provisions induced him to prolong his stay. On the morning of the 26th, the captain, who had been to Oparais with some of his officers, to make a formal visit to the king, observed a fleet of more than 300 pirogues drawn up in order on the shore. They were all completely equipped. At the same time a number of warriors assembled on the beach. The officers' suspicions were excited by this formidable armament, collected in one night, but they were reassured by the welcome they received. This fleet consisted of no less than 60 large double pirogues, decorated with flags and streamers, and 170 smaller ones, intended for the transport of provisions, and the flotilla was manned with no fewer than 7,760 men, warriors or paddlers. The sight of this fleet, says Forrester, increased our ideas of the power and wealth of the island. The entire crew was astonished. When we reflect upon the implements possessed by this people, we can but admire the patience and toil necessary to cut down these enormous trees, separate and polish the branches, and then to carry the heavy constructions to such perfection.

These works are produced by them by means of a stone hatchet and saw, a piece of coral, and the hide of veils. The chiefs and all who occupied a prominent fighting rank were dressed in military style, that is to say, in a quantity of stuffs, turbines, helmets and breast-plates. The height of some of the helmets was most embarrassing to the wearers. The entire equipment appeared more appropriate for scenic effect than suitable for a battlefield. But in any case, it added to the grandeur of the display, and the warriors did not fail to show themselves with a view to the most striking effect, and to the most impressive. Upon reaching Matavai, Cook learned that this formidable armament was destined for attack upon Emio, whose chief had revolted against the Tahitian yoke and become independent.

During the following days the captain was visited by some of his old friends. All showed a desire to possess red feathers which were of considerable value. One only attached more importance to a glass bead or a nail. The Tahitians were so impressed that they offered in exchange the strange morning garments which they had refused to sell during Cook's first voyage. These garments are made of the rarest productions of the islands and the surrounding sea, and are worked with care and great skill and no doubt are of great value to themselves. We bought no less than ten which we brought to England. Oedidi, who had taken good care to procure some feathers for himself, could indulge in any caprice he liked. The natives looked upon him as a prodigy and listened eagerly to his tales. The principal personages of the island and even the king sought his society. He married a daughter of the chief of Matafai and brought his wife on board. Everyone was delighted to make him a present. Finally, he decided to remain at Tahiti where he had found his sister married to a powerful chief. In spite of the thefts, which more than once caused unpleasantness, the English procured more provisions on their stay in this port than ever before. The aged Oberia, who was like a queen in the islands during the stay made by the Dauphin in 1767, herself brought pigs and fruits in the secret hope of obtaining red feathers, which had so great a success. Presents were liberally given and the Indians were amused with fireworks and military maneuvers. Just before he left, the captain witnessed a curious naval review. Otoo ordered a sham fight, but it lasted so short a time that it was impossible to observe the movements. The fleet was to commence hostilities five days after Cook's departure, and he would have much liked to have waited for it, but fearing the natives might suspect him of an attempt to overcome both conquered and victors, he determined to leave. The resolution had scarcely left the bay when one of the gunners, seduced by the delights of Tahiti and possibly by the promises of King Otoo, who no doubt thought an European might be of use to him, threw himself into the sea. But he was soon retaken by a boat launched by Cook in his pursuit. Cook very much regretted the fact that discipline obliged him to act in this way. The man had no relations or friends in England, and had he requested permission to remain in Tahiti, it would not have been refused. On the fifteenth the resolution anchored in Owera Harbor, in Hwa-Hin Island. The old chief Aurea was one of the first to congratulate the English upon their return, and to bring them presents. The captain presented him with red feathers, but the old chief appeared to prefer iron, hatchets and nails. He seemed more insolent than upon the previous visit. His head was weaker, no doubt owing to his immoderate love for an intoxicating drink extracted from pepper by the natives. His authority was evidently despised, and Cook sent in pursuit of a band of robbers who had not refrained from pillaging the old king himself, and who had taken refuge in the center of the island. Aurea showed himself grateful for the consideration the English had always shown him. He was the last to leave the vessel before she sailed, on the 24th of April, and, when Cook said that they should never meet again, he shed tears and replied, Send your children here. We will treat them well.