The Life and Voyages of Captain James Cook/Chapter 23
The ships incommoded with crowds of natives; cleared by the chiefs. Thefts committed. Divine honours paid to Capt. Cook, as the god Orono; sacrifice offered to him at the morai. Reflections on the subject. Unfavourable circumstances of our voyagers, as to moral and religious improvement. Liberality and constant attachnient of the priests. Effects of the taboo. Employments of our people. Visits of King Terreeoboo; his munificence. Friendly conduct of the natives; dishonesty of many of them. Their athletic exercises. Death and burial of a seaman. Wood work and images of the morai purchased. Liberal parting presents to Captain Cook. The ships leave Karakakooa Bay: but receiving damage in a gale, soon return. Thefts committed by the natives. Attack on the pinnace. The Discovery's cutter stolen. Measures taken for its recovery. Capt. Cook goes on shore to take the King on board: is opposed. News of the slaughter of a chief. Ferment among the natives: they threaten the Captain: he fires and kills one of them. General attack on the party with stones, answered by a discharge of musketry. Fury of the natives: four marines killed. Death of Captain Cook. Unfortunate retirement of the launch which should have supported him. Treatment of his body by the natives. Negociations for recovering it. Insolence of the natives. Village of Kakooa burnt. Bones of Capt. Cook recovered and interred.
However gratifying it might be to our navigators to view the interesting groups that surrounded them, it was soon found to be extremely inconvenient to have the ships crowded with these new visitors. When hundreds of both sexes were on board, it was impossible to prevent pilfering on the part of the natives, or to maintain discipline among the crew, who could not attend to the necessary business of the ships. To get rid of this incumbrance, recourse was had to the authority of the chiefs, two of whom, Pareea and Kaneena, attached themselves to Captain Cook; and these, at his request, soon cleared the vessels of such troublesome intruders; who, at the command of their chiefs, jumped overboard: one fellow who lingered behind, was taken up by Kaneena in his arms, and cast into the sea. The chiefs, however, did not altogether put a stop to pilfering; for this good. reason, that they themselves partook of the plunder, and when any thing of value was missing, it was generally traced into their possession. Koah, a little old chief, sometimes introduced common persons as chiefs, with a view to get possession of the presents made to them.
This Koah, who was said to be a priest as well as a warrior, seems to have been the first that honoured Capt. Cook with a kind of divine adoration. When he was conducted into the cabin of the Resolution, he approached the Captain with great veneration, threw over his shoulders a piece of red cloth, the sacred cloth in which the idols of this country were arrayed; then stepping back a few paces, he made an offering of a small pig, which he held in his hand, while he uttered a prayer of considerable length. After dinner, when Captain Cook, with Messrs. King and Bayley, accompanied Koah on shore, four men carrying wands tipt with dog's hair, the sacred wands that were used in tabooing, marched before him, making loud proclamation respecting Orono: upon which, the whole crowd on the shore retired, except a few, who fell prostrate on the ground. The procession. went on, as directed by Koah, to a large morai, on the south side of the village Kakooa, at the head of the bay. Here was a solid pile of stones, about 40 yards long, 20 broad, and 14 in height; with a flat paved top, surrounded by a wooden rail, on which were fixed the skulls of the victims sacrificed on the death of the chiefs. In the adjacent area were some buildings, and on one side were five poles above 20 feet high, supporting an irregular scaffold. On arriving at the morai, the party were led towards two large wooden images, to which Capt. Cook was presented by a tall young man with a long beard, named Kaireekeea, who chanted a hymn along with Koah. They were then led towards the five poles, at the foot of which were twelve images, ranged in a semicircle, with a whatta, or altar, in the middle, on which lay a putrid hog, and under it pieces of fruits and roots. Koah, having placed the Captain under the whatta, took down the hog, and held it toward him; then, making a long speech or prayer, he let it fall to the ground, and led him to the scaffold, which with some difficulty they mounted together. And now approached, in solemn procession, ten men carrying a live hog, and a large piece of red cloth; on drawing nigh, they fell prostrate; and Kaireekeea meeting them, received first the cloth, and then the hog; the former being handed to Koah, was wrapped round the Captain, while the latter was offered before him. The two priests now began to chant, sometimes in concert, and sometimes alternately; and after this service had continued for some time, Koah let the hog drop, when he and the Captain descended from the scaffold. He then led him to the range of images, at which he snapped his fingers, with some sneering words, as he passed; till reaching the central figure, which was covered with red cloth, he prostrated himself, and kissed it, which the Captain at his desire also did. From thence he led the Captain to a sunk area in the morai, where he seated him between two wooden idols, Koah supporting his right hand, while Lieutenant King supported the left. At this time, a second procession of natives arrived, with a baked hog, a pudding, and some fruits; and Kaireekeea, heading the procession, presented the pig before Capt. Cook, with solemn chanting, to which the rest made responses, closing with the name Orono. The natives then sat down, fronting the Captain and his supporters; and while some cut up the baked hog, and prepare! the vegetables, others engaged in brewing ava: and when the ava had been handed round, and tasted, morsels of the flesh were distributed also. Pareea fed Mr. King, and Koah tried to feed Captain Cook; but the latter, remembering the putrid hog, could not swallow a morsel, especially as the old man did him the honour to chew it for him.—This closed the ceremony; and the Captain, after distributing some trifling presents among the natives, which pleased them much, returned on board, attended to the beach by the men with wands, and honoured by the prostrations of all whom he met.
It is easy to see from this narrative, that the natives ranked our navigator among their gods; regarding him as the god Orono, a deified King and hero, belonging to the fabulous age of their chronology. This Orono (or Rono), as Mr. Ellis states, had, according to their traditions, set sail for a foreign country, in a singularly shaped canoe. He was honoured by annual games, as well as public worship; and his return being expected, Captain Cook's arrival was considered as the fulfilment of their hopes. The people were taught that Orono was returned, and were invited to adore him. The idol clothed in red, was the image of Orono; and the Captain was decked in red cloth, as his appropriate dress.
It is much to be regretted, that in this instance, our illustrious countryman suffered his curiosity to overcome his sense of duty. However eager he might be, to know the religious rites of this people, he ought not to have shared in their idolatries. As a Christian he was bound, both to refuse adoration to their gods, and to reject it when offered to himself. He acted honourably at Otaheite, in condemning the human sacrifice, which his curiosity induced him to witness; and now, when he saw plainly, that these wretched idolaters mistook him. for a god, he ought to have remembered the conduct of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra, on a similar occasion, and have shuddered at the thoughts of accepting Divine homage. If the strength of his curiosity may be pleaded as an excuse for allowing this idolatry for once, no such plea can be advanced on behalf of its repetition; which took place a few days after, at the house, or temple, of Orono, with equal, if not greater solemnity; not to speak of the more common tokens of adoration, almost daily offered to him by the priests or the people. It might, indeed, be thought good policy, to encourage this veneration of his person, as a means of ensuring his safety, and the comfort of his men; but if such was his object, it completely failed. On the 17th of January, he first accepted adoration and sacrifice, and alas! on that day four weeks, he fell a sacrifice himself, and was torn in pieces; and Koah, Pareea, and other natives, who were chief actors in the idolatrous scenes, bore a principal part in the bloody tragedy that followed.
It remains to be noticed, as a further subject of regret, that the day alluded to was the sabbath, when the officers and crew, instead of participating in the idolatries of pagans, ought to have been employed in the service of the true and living God. In perusing the narrative of this, as of the former voyages, the pious reader must have remarked, with sorrow, that the day of God, was rarely honoured by our mariners, above the other days of the week. With one solitary exception, no mention is made of their having divine service on that day, nor of their resting on it from their wonted labours or amusements. And here it may be stated as a subject of complaint, that in the arrangements for these voyages of discovery, no provision seems to have been made for the moral and religious improvement of the mariners. Had books of devotion been distributed on board, and a pious and intelligent chaplain appointed to each ship, or at least to each expedition, the officers and men, enjoying the advantages of public worship and spiritual instruction, might have been fortified against the temptations by which so many were overcome, and warned of those deviations from duty into which they were apt to stray. Thus also, some preparatory steps might have been taken, for introducing the blessings of Christianity among the interesting tribes which our countrymen discovered. Such objects well deserve to be attended to by the Government of a Christian country, which owes much of its high character and rank among the nations, to the ennobling influence of religion. They are objects closely connected with the efficiency of the naval service; for the most respectable Commanders of our times have publicly testified, that pious seamen are ever the most valuable; the most faithful and trusty, the most patient and persevering, the most tractable and obedient, the most bold and unflinching.
These reflections are not meant to insinuate, that our excellent navigator had become indifferent to the interests of religion and morality. His journal shews that he often exerted himself, though with small success, to restrain his men from vice; and it contains devout acknowledgments of Providence. Yet who that regards his memory, would not wish that, in the case mentioned, he had acted a part more becoming the Christian name?
The delusion of the natives, in taking him for their god Orono, produced immediate advantages to the British. They were allowed to select a field, for erecting their observatory and tents; and, to prevent intruders from disturbing them, the field was tabooed, the sacred wands being fixed round the wall that inclosed it. After this ceremony, no canoes durst land at the spot, no native would enter the holy ground, without special invitation, and no females could be prevailed on to approach. When presents were used to entice the latter, they invariably replied, that the Eatooa and the King would kill them, if they entered. At this very time, hundreds of females were annoying the people on board; and when it was necessary to clear the ship, two or three hundred women were frequently made to jump into the sea at once, where they continued swimming and playing about, till they could again procure admittance. The party on shore, commanded by Lieut. King, received a daily supply of hogs and vegetables, more than sufficient for their subsistence; while several canoes, loaded with provisions, were sent as punctually to the ships. This was done by direction of Kaoo, the venerable high priest, grandfather to Kaireekeea; and nothing was asked or expected in return, it was considered as the payment of a sacred tribute. The priests, indeed, continued the warm friends of the British during their stay; and, with the exception of old Koah, took no share in pilfering their property.
The refitting of the ships, and the preservation of their stores, were at this time objects of much solicitude with our navigator: and while sailmakers, carpenters, and coopers, were employed on shore, as well as on board, in the necessary repairs; others were engaged, under his direction, in salting pork, to supply the ships during their protracted voyage. Hitherto it had been thought impracticable to cure meat in tropical climates; but the Captain, ever bent on useful discoveries, and impelled in this instance by necessity, made the experiment; and by skilful management succeeded so completely, that some of the barrels of pork now pickled were brought home to England, and the meat, at the close of 1780, was perfectly sound and wholesome.
King Terreeoboo, who had been from home, arrived on the 24th, when the whole bay was tabooed for more than two days; no canoe visited the ships but by special licence, and no female was to be seen. On monday, the 25th, the King, with his wife and children, paid a private visit to the ships; and was found to be the same aged chief who had gone on board the Resolution off Mowee, with some of his family and attendants, on the 30th of November; on which occasion, our people were not aware of his high rank. On tuesday, the 25th, he came off to the ships in great state; he and his chiefs, dressed in their rich feathered cloaks and helmets, and armed with long spears. and daggers, being in a large canoe; followed by a second canoe, containing Kaoo and the other priests, with their gigantic and hideous idols, displayed on red cloth; and a third canoe, filled with hogs and vegetables. The priests sung hymns with great solemnity, while the canoes paddled round the ships; but instead of going on board, the royal and sacerdotal companies made for the shore, and landed opposite the tents, where Lieut. King and the guards were ready to receive them. Captain Cook arrived presently, having followed them in the pinnace; and when the royal party were seated in the tent, the King rose up, and in a very graceful manner threw his own cloak over the Captain's shoulders, put a feathered helmet on his head, and a curious fan in his hand. He spread also at his feet five or six other valuable cloaks, and exchanged names with him; while four large hogs, and a quantity of fruits, were brought by the attendants. A procession of priests advanced, followed by a long train of men, leading hogs, and carrying vegetables. Kaoo, the chief priest, who headed the procession, and having been from home with the King, was now for the first time introduced to Capt. Cook, brought a piece of red cloth, and wrapped it round his shoulders, and offered a small pig in the usual form. Kaoo being then seated next the King, Kaireekeea and the other priests began their chanting, while Kaoo and the chiefs joined in the responses. The King and several of his retinue went on board with the Captain; who arrayed his Majesty in a linen shirt, and girt his own hanger round him. When the King went on shore, the taboo was removed at the Captain's request; so far as to permit the natives to trade with the ships.
The behaviour of the natives continuing friendly and inoffensive, the gentlemen of both ships could trust themselves among them at all times; they took frequent excursions into the country, and sometimes remained all night. The boys and girls, at the different villages, amused them with songs and dances; and all whom they met with, were ready to serve them. When a large party, from both ships, went several miles into the country, to examine its productions, Kaoo sent provisions after them. and gave orders to the inhabitants to assist them. They were six days on their excursion, but did not see the great volcano of Kirauea, so well described by Mr. Ellis, in his Tour through Hawaii, or Owhyhee. The bounty of Terreeoboo also continued; and when Capt. Clerke, who had been in ill health, visited him for the first time, on the 28th, he received him very honourably, and gave him 30 large hogs, with a vast quantity of fruits and roots.
Many, however, still annoyed our people with petty thefts; particularly in drawing nails out of the boats and ships; which their expertness in swimming and diving enabled them to do, without much risk of detection. One person, caught in the action, was publicly flogged, as a warning to others.
On the 28th, the natives entertained our people with a boxing match; and such athletic exercises, in which they were much inferior to the Friendly Islanders, were repeated at other times. Captain Cook, on his part, entertained them with a display of fire-works; at which they were greatly astonished.
On thursday, Jan. 28th, died William Watman, an old gunner, long attached to the Captain, whom he had served in all his voyages. He had gone into Greenwich hospital with his beloved Captain, and quitted it with him, to follow his fortunes; and was now cut off by a paralytic stroke, only a few days before him. At the King's desire, he was buried at the morai; Kaoo and the other priests attended in silence, while the funeral service was reading; when the grave was filling up, they threw in a dead pig, with some cocoa-nuts and plantains; and for three nights following, they attended at the grave, sacrificing hogs, and chanting hymns and prayers, which continued till day-break.
The ships being in great want of fuel, the Captain, through Mr. King, sought to purchase the wooden rails of the morai; which the priests readily granted, without stipulating for any return. The sailors, in removing the wood, carried off the whole semicircle of images; which Captain Cook observing, mentioned to Kaoo, who shewed no indignation at the sacrilege, but simply desired that the central image should be restored.
As the resources of the country were beginning to be drained, by the vast supplies required for the ships, the natives made frequent inquiries about the time of their departure. They fancied that our people had come from a country where provisions had failed, for the purpose of filling their bellies; and wondered that they had brought no women with them. They gave broad hints, that they had now got pretty well filled; stroking the sides, and patting on the bellies of the sailors, whose looks were much improved during their stay: and telling them, that if they would return next season, they should then be feasted liberally. The King's bounty, however, was not exhausted; for, having summoned his people to bring in their tribute, to enable him to give a parting offering to Orono, a public assembly was held, on wednesday, Feb. 3rd, when the ships were about to sail; and immense quantities of hogs, vegetables, and cloth, were brought before the King; together with a large assortment of red and yellow feathers, and the hatchets and iron-ware which had been got from the British. Terreeoboo selected about a third part of the feathers and iron-ware for himself, with a few pieces of cloth; and then presented the rest of the cloth, with all the hogs and vegetables, to Captain Cook and Lieut. King; who were astonished at the magnitude of the present, as it far exceeded what they had received even at the Friendly Isles. Mr. King was supposed to be the Captain's son; and both Terreeoboo and Kaoo, who were warmly attached to him, begged that he might remain, and live with them.
Early on thursday, Feb. 4th, the ships sailed out of the bay. Many natives accompanied them in canoes, in their progress northward; and the King, as a last proof of regard for Capt. Cook, sent after him a large present of hogs and vegetables. Koah, who had changed his name to Britannee, accompanied the Captain to a large bay, called Toe-yah-yah. When the ships were off this bay, on the 6th, a storm began, which continued, with intervals, for part of three days; to the no small peril of the natives, who were sailing near them, some of whom were saved by the humane exertions of our seamen. In these gales, the fore-mast of the Resolution gave way, which made it necessary to go into some harbour to repair it; and the adjacent bay affording no safe anchorage, while it was uncertain whether a good harbour could be found in the islands to leeward, our navigator decided on returning to Karakakooa; little thinking, that this decision would lead to a fatal result.
On the 11th, the ships regained their late anchorage; the fore-mast was taken on shore by the carpenters, the tents and observatory were again. set up at the morai; and the priests, to prevent interruption, again tabooed the spot. The bay was found nearly deserted, the crowds lately assembled here having retired to their respective homes.
Terreeoboo paid a friendly visit to Capt. Cook, on the 12th; and his nephew, Maihamaiha, or Tamehameha, had previously visited Capt. Clerke, and spent a night, with his attendants, on board the Discovery; but some of the chiefs seemed less friendly than before. Pareea interfered unkindly in a bargain that was making for a hog; and on the 13th, several chiefs, and other natives, annoyed the watering party of the Discovery, and shewed some appearances of hostility; on which, directions were given to the guard to load with ball. And now, the natives, having begun to reassemble in the bay, again crowded the ships, and watched for opportunities to pilfer. A fellow being detected stealing the armourer's tongs from the forge, on board the Discovery, was flogged, and sent out of the ship; yet in the afternoon, another snatched the tongs and a chisel, with which he jumped over board, and swimming to a canoe, was paddled ashore. Pareea, who was then on board the Discovery, hastened ashore to recover the stolen goods. The thief, however, abandoning his plunder, fled into the country, and when the Master and a mid- shipman, who had been despatched after him in the small cutter, approached the shore, they met some natives in a canoe, bringing the articles back. The Resolution's pinnace, with five men, joining them, the Master thought his force sufficient. to insist on having the thief surrendered, or the canoe that took him on shore. The thief had made his escape, and was pursued ineffectually, to a distance of two miles or more, by Capt. Cook, Licut. King, and a marine; who having observed that some muskets were fired after him from the Discovery, and having seen him land, supposed that he had carried off something of consequence. The thief being thus out of reach, the Master went to seize the canoe, which was hauled up on the beach; when Pareea appeared, and claimed it as his property; and his claim being disregarded, he seized the officer, and held him by the hair, on which one of the sailors struck him with an oar. The chief quitting the Master, now snatched the oar, and broke it in two across his knee; and presently after, the multitude, resenting the insult offered to their chief, attacked the British with stones. The latter, after a short resistance, were obliged to abandon the pinnace, and make their escape; the men swimming to the small cutter, the two officers to a rock near the shore. The natives would have followed, and killed them; but Pareea interfered, and checked their violence. The officers begged him to remain, till they got their boats off; but he refused, and left them. The Master was then proceeding towards the tents for help; but Pareea meeting him, constrained him to return; and the chief, finding the mob plundering the pinnace, beginning to pull her to pieces, and insulting the midshipman, who remained by her, again dispersed them; and having thus saved the boat, desired the gentlemen to return on board, bringing them some of the oars which the crowd had seized. They were glad to escape in safety; and Pareea soon overtook them in his canoe, and restored the midshipman's cap, and other articles, lost in the scuffle. He eagerly asked, if Orono would kill him for what had happened; and being assured to the contrary, he joined noses, in token of reconciliation, and paddled over to the village of Kowrowa, or Kaavaroa, on the north-west side of the bay.
When Capt. Cook returned, and was informed of what had passed, he felt much uneasiness; and observed, in going on board, "I am afraid that these people will oblige me to use some violent measures; for they must not be left to imagine, that they have gained an advantage over us" He immediately ordered all the natives to be turned out of the ships. Lieut. King posted a double guard at the observatory, where a few natives were seen to approach during the night; but they retired when they found themselves observed. Mournful sounds, from the adjacent villages, were heard by the guards, supposed to be the lamentations of women.
Notwithstanding the vigilance of our people, it was found in the morning of the 14th, that the Discovery's large cutter, which lay swamped at the buoy of one of her anchors, had been stolen by the natives; a theft which they committed, as was afterwards learned, at the instigation of Pareea. When apprized of the robbery, Capt. Cook resolved, according to his usual plan, to endeavour to get the King on board, with a view to ensure the restoration of the cutter; and at the same time. gave orders, that none of the canoes in the bay should be allowed to depart, that he might make reprisals on them, if necessary. About 7 o'clock, having sent Lieut. King, to take charge of the party at the tents, and try to still the minds of the natives there, he left the ship, with Lieut. Philips and nine marines, in the pinnace; the crew of which were also armed, under the command of Mr. Roberts. Foreseeing that danger might arise, he took the precaution to order Lieut. Williamson, who commanded in the launch, to leave the station which he occupied at the north-west point of the bay, and come to support the pinnace. On his landing at Kaavaroa, with the marines, the Captain was received with the customary honours, the natives prostrating themselves before him. He was joined by Kaneena, his brother Koohowrooa, and other chiefs, who kept the crowd in order, and inquired if he wanted hogs, or other provisions. The King's sons, two boys, who had often been his guests in the Resolution, also joined him. When he said that he wanted Terreeoboo, he was conducted to his house; and the King, having been awakened from his sleep, came forth to meet him, and readily accepted his invitation to go on board. He accordingly went with the Captain towards the water-side, and his boys got to the pinnace, into which the youngest, Keowa, presently entered; but when the King was within about 30 yards of the shore, his people, conscious of what had been done, crowded around to detain him, his wife Kanona besought him with tears not to go on board, and two chiefs taking hold of him, made him sit down. The Captain, loath to give up the point, urged him to go forward; but the natives, alarmed at the firing of guns and musketry in the bay, by those who were detaining the canoes, crowded more closely around; and Lieut. Philips, finding his men huddled close together in the crowd, led them out, with the Captain's consent, the natives opening a passage for them, and they were drawn up in a line along the rocks, close to the water's edge. The King, who was seated beside a double canoe, that had been hauled up hither, was again urged to rise and accompany his friend on board; but the chiefs insisted on his staying: upon which, the Captain relinquished the attempt, observing to Mr. Philips, that he could not take the King on board by force, without the risk of killing a number of the inhabitants.
Hitherto the person of our navigator seemed in no danger; but when he was quitting Terreeoboo, and walking towards the boats, a serious tumult arose among the crowd. A man arriving in great haste from the other side of the bay, exclaimed, "It is war!" and informed the people, that Kareemoo, a chief, had been shot by one of the Discovery's boats.[1] Upon this, the arming of the natives, which had previously begun, became general, the women and children were sent off, and the men proceeded to acts of insolence and hostility. The Captain had been annoyed by an old priest, who repeatedly offered him a cocoa-nut, with loud singing and noise: and now old Koah approached, with a pahooa, or dagger, under his cloak. Mr. Philips proposed to shoot him; but, the Captain forbidding it, he only struck him with his piece, and made him retire. A man now seized the sergeant's musket, when a blow from the Lieutenant made him quit his hold. Another native throwing a stone at the Captain, the latter, who carried a piece with two barrels, fired one at him, loaded with small shot. The fellow, wearing a thick mat, was scarcely hurt, and brandished his spear, to dart it at Captain Cook, who, being still unwilling to take his life, knocked him down with his piece, instead of firing with ball. At this time, Mr. Roberts, not. aware of the impending danger, suffered Keown to be put on shore; whereas, the detention of the prince might have operated powerfully in restraining the hostility of the islanders. And now, a man behind a double canoe, being seen in the act of darting his spear at the Captain; the latter fired his other barrel, loaded with ball, and killed another who was active in the tumult; while the man who aimed at him was presently shot by the sergeant. Upon this, the natives gave back a little; but, being pushed on by those behind, returned to the charge, and poured a volley of stones among the marines, who, without waiting for orders, returned it with a discharge of musketry, while the seamen in the boats Legan also to fire. At this Captain Cook expressed his astonishment, and waving his hand, called to the boats to cease firing, and to pull in. His voice, on account of the noise and confusion, was indistinctly heard; and while the pinnace came close in, Lieutenant Williamson, with the men in the launch, through some strange mistake or neglect, moved further off, at the very moment when their support might have saved their brave Commander, and the marines. The natives now rushed on with dreadful yells, and four of the marines, who had no time to reload, fell a sacrifice to their fury; other four were wounded, including Lieutenant Philips, who saved his life by shooting his antagonist; and, with the surviving marines, got into the pinnace. The Captain, who was left alone on the rock, was making for the pinnace; when, a chief, named Karimano, following him, after some hesitation, struck him on the back of the head, with a large club, and then precipitately retreated. Stunned by the blow, he staggered a few paces, fell on his hand and one knee, and dropped his musket. As he was rising, a wretch, called Nooah, stabbed him in the back of the neck with an iron dagger, and he fell into a bite of water about knee deep. Here the natives, crowding upon him, tried to keep him under; but struggling powerfully with them, he got his head up, and cast a look towards the pinnace; which was only five or six yards off, yet was unable, it seems, to save him. The natives again pressed him down, in deeper water: he was able, however, to get his head up once more, and turning to the rock, tried to cling to it, when another blow with a club deprived him of life. They then hauled him up lifeless on the rocks, and snatching the dagger from each other's hands, shewed a savage eagerness to have a share in his destruction. The fatal event occurred about 8 o'clock, only an hour after he had landed.
Such was the lamentable end of the most illustrious of navigators. It is painful to think, that he who had done so much to preserve the lives, and increase the comforts, of the savages of the Pacific, should thus fall by their hands; and that some of the improved implements with which he furnished them, should be employed to destroy him. Kaneena had purchased a large dagger, for a hog, only the day before; and this dagger was probably used in the bloody tragedy. It is still more deplorable to reflect, that a Commander who had made it his constant study to promote the welfare of his officers and crew, should have been deserted by some of them in the hour of peril, and left to perish before their eyes in the hands of barbarians, when a vigorous effort on their part might perhaps have saved him. Even the recovery of his lifeless body was an object worth contending for; and five young midshipmen, who arrived in a small boat at the close of the fatal business, saw the beach almost entirely deserted by the natives, who had been dispersed by the fire of the boats, and some shots from the Resolution; so that the body might have been recovered without much difficulty: yet the Lieutenant returned on board, without making the attempt. Whether the late order for stopping their grog, had somewhat alienated the affections of the seamen from their otherwise beloved Captain; or whether they were seized with a temporary panic, confusion, or infatuation, amidst scenes so appalling; the fatal result will ever be remembered with the most poignant grief.
When their paroxysm of rage had spent itself, the natives themselves, as Mr. Ellis relates, bewailed the foul deed which their hands had done. Their ideas of the Captain's divinity were indeed lowered; for when they saw his blood, and heard his groans, they said, "No, this is not Orono:" yet they still regarded him as a chief of the first rank. His body was taken from the beach, and deposited in a cave above the village, from whence it was removed to an adjacent height, and there disposed of in the same way as the body of a native chief. It was cut in pieces, and the flesh, after being separated from the bones, was burnt; the bones being reserved as objects of veneration. This kind of funeral, however barbarous in our view, they regarded as the most honourable. The spot where the body was burnt, is described by Mr. Ellis, as a small inclosure, about 15 feet square, with a kind of raised hearth in the midst, where fragments of charcoal still remain.
But the natives had losses of their own to lament. Seventeen were slain at Kaavaroa, among whom were Kaneena, Koohowrooa, and other three chiefs; and at the observatory, where the commencement of a hostile attack made it necessary to fire on the assailants, eight more were shot, including three persons of rank. In that quarter, a truce was agreed to, through the medium of the friendly priests; and the firing ceased, on condition that our people should not be interrupted, in removing the observatory, tents, sails, and mast; which were now safely conveyed on board.
Many of the officers and men were eager to revenge the death of their beloved Commander, by an immediate attack on the natives: but, on various accounts, more moderate counsels prevailed. Lieut. King was sent, with some armed boats, to Kaavaroa, to demand the dead bodies, especially that of Capt. Cook; and to threaten the islanders with vengeance, in case of a refusal. Perceiving that the natives expected a hostile attack, he left the armed boats, and advanced alone in a small boat, with a white flag in his hand; at the sight of which, the people raised a shout of joy, and extending their arms, invited him on shore. Koah immediately swam off to the boat with a white flag also; and although little confidence could be placed in this treacherous chief, he was employed to communicate the demand to the other chiefs, and made fair promises of restoring the bodies. Koal visited the ships frequently on the 15th, but alleged various excuses for delaying to fulfil his word. In the evening, two persons came in a canoe, from Kaoo and the priests, and delivered up a portion of the flesh of the Captain, which had been allotted to them for a religious use; and they stated that the rest was burnt, the bones remaining with the chiefs. They shed many tears for the fatal deed, asked when the Orono would come again, and what he would do to them on his return. Being asked if any part of the bodies had been eaten, they expressed their horror at such an idea: by which it appeared, that Capt. Cook was mistaken, in supposing, as noticed in p. 395, that these islanders avowed themselves cannibals. These men cautioned our people to beware of Koah, who was not their friend.
The forbearance of the British encouraged the insolence of the natives, some of whom had the audacity, to wave in triumph on the beach, the sword, the scabbard, the hat, and the clothes, of the illustrious dead. This insult inflamed the rage of the crew; and Captain Clerke, who had taken the command of the Resolution, while Lieut. Gore was made Captain of the Discovery, gave orders to fire some great guns at the people on the shore. Soon after, Koah came off in great haste, to prevent further hostility; stating that some people had been killed, and among others, Tamehameha, the King's nephew. It turned out, however, that this chief was only wounded. He lived to become King of Owhyhee, and of all the Sandwich Islands; and filled the throne in 1792, when Capt. Vancouver (now a midshipman in the Discovery) visited and explored these islands, as well as the American coast; carrying on the researches in these seas, which his great Commander had so well begun. Tamehameha had a glorious reign of 30 years, and was succeeded, in 1819, by his son Tamehameha, or Rihoriho, who, with his Queen, visited London, where they both died of the measles, in 1824.
Soon after Koah's arrival, two boys swam off from the morai, towards the ships, having each a long spear in his hand; and after lamenting the death of Orono, in a plaintive song, they came on board the Discovery delivered their spears, and then returned on shore.
Next day, which was wednesday, the 17th, when a large party was taking in water for the ships, the natives harassed them much by throwing stones: upon which, orders were given to burn down a few straggling houses near the well, where the assailants were sheltered. In executing these orders, our people were hurried into acts of unnecessary cruelty and devastation. The whole village of Kakooa was set on fire; and several of the natives were wantonly shot, in making their escape from the flames. Even the dwellings of the priests, the steady friends of the British, perished in the conflagration, with much valuable property, a great part of which had been received as presents from the ships. After this disaster, Kaireekeea, and 15 or 20 boys, came towards the shore, in a procession, bearing in their hands green boughs, plantains, and pieces of white cloth. Being taken, at his desire, on board the Resolution, this young priest stated the losses of himself and his brethren, and justly expostulated with the British on their unkindness and ingratitude. Doleful cries and lamentations had been heard on shore every night, from the commencement of hostilities, and this night they were more dreadful than ever.
In the morning of the 18th, Koah came off again, and approached the ship's side, singing his song, and offering Lieut. King a hog and some plantains; but his offering was now rejected, and he was ordered never to appear again without Captain Cook's bones. In the evening, Eappo, a chief of high rank, came with presents from Terreeoboo, to sue for peace. The presents were accepted; but he also was assured, that war would continue, till the Captain's remains were delivered up. The natives, now made sensible of the power of their visitors, brought off to them many presents of fruits and roots. At last, after some further messages had passed between Captain Clerke and Terreeoboo, a solemn procession came to the beach, in the forenoon of the 20th, preceded by two drummers and a white flag, and after depositing some presents, retired; when Eappo appeared in his long feathered cloak, bearing in his hands, with great solemnity, the bones of the illustrious Captain, wrapped up in new cloth, and covered with a cloak of black and white feathers. Capt. Clerke, who judged what he was bringing, went off to receive his precious charge. The parcel contained the two hands entire, most of the head, with the bones of the arms, thighs, and legs. Some more bones were brought next morning, the 21st, by Eappo and the King's son; with some articles that belonged to the Captain. They were directed to taboo all the bay, which they did on going ashore; and in the afternoon, the remains of the great navigator, having been put into a coffin, were committed to the deep, with the funeral service, and military honours; amidst the tears and sobs of the officers and crew, whom he had so long and so honourably commanded.
It was understood, that the rest of Capt. Cook's bones had been burnt; but it has since been ascertained, that all the bones of the trunk, with the rest that were missing, were preserved by the natives as sacred relics, and deposited in the temple of Rono, where they received divine honours, as part of that god. These relics, contained in a basket covered with red feathers, were annually carried round by the priests, to other temples, to collect offerings for the service of Rono. Mr. Ellis could not ascertain where these remains were deposited, at the abolition of idolatry, in 1819.
Death of Captain Cook.
- ↑ According to Mr. Samwell's Narrative, this intelligence arrived sooner; but, on this point, Capt. King's statement is the most natural.