# The Life and Voyages of Captain James Cook/Chapter 14

Several small Islands met with. Landing on Savage Island; ferocity of the natives. Landing at Ananiocka; and incidents there Departure from the Friendly Islands, and arrival at the New Hebrides. Landing at Mallicollo, and intercourse with the inhabitants. Their honesty. Poisonous fish. Attempt to land at Erromango: hostile behaviour of the natives. Arrival at Tanna, and transactions there. Friendly conduct of Paowang, &c. Hostility of others: peace established. Supplies obtained, and ship repaired. The Volcano: hot springs. Dwellings, and plantations of the natives. Geogy, the King. Manners &c. of the people. A man killed by a sentry. Departure from Tanna, and survey of other islands,—Erronan—Annatom—Tierra del Espiritu Santo, discovered by Quiros. Bougainville's Passage. Bay of St. Philip and St. Jago. Notices respecting the inhabitants. Nautical observations.
Captain Cook having taken his departure from Ulietea on the 5th of June, fell in next day with Howe Island, discovered by Wallis; supposed to be the uninhabited island which the people of Ulietea call Mopeha. Another reef island, consisting of numerous islets inclosing a lake, or lagoon, was met with on the 16th. This being a new discovery, was named Palmerston Island. On the 20th, another island was discovered; and some natives being seen on the beach, the Captain put off with a party in two boats, and landed on the shore, which was over-run with woods, bushes, plants, and stones. As they began to enter the woods, some of the islanders came upon them suddenly; ​and though peaceful signs were made to them, they answered with menaces, and threw a stone, which struck Mr. Sparrman on the arm. Upon this, two muskets were fired; and they all retired into the woods. The party reimbarked, and after ranging along the coast for some miles, landed a second time, at a place where four canoes were lying. Here the natives rushed down upon them, through an opening in the woods, and in spite of all attempts to conciliate them, they came on with the ferocity of wild boars, and threw their darts. Two or three muskets, discharged in the air, did not deter them from further hostilities; and one of their spears having passed close over the Captain's shoulder, he would have shot the assailant, had not his piece missed fire. He was glad that it did, as the natives were presently dispersed by the firing of others. It was remarkable, that when he tried his musket in the air immediately after, it went off as well as a piece could do. As no friendly intercourse with the natives could be obtained, our navigator quitted the place, to which he gave the appropriate name of Savage Island. The inhabitants, and their canoes, were like those of the Friendly Islands. Their coast is hazardous for invaders, being lined with coral rocks, thickly clothed with trees and bushes. In noticing the height of some of these rocks, in which several curious caverns had been hollowed out by the sea, the Captain proposes the inquiry, how these rocks, if produced by marine insects, came to be raised so much above the level of the sea; and judiciously hints at volcanic agency, as the most probable cause of their elevation.
After passing several small islands, and danger​ous rocks, the Resolution arrived safely at Anamocka, one of the Friendly Islands, on the 26th of June. In approaching the island, a friendly barter of nails for cocoa-nuts and shaddocks, was carried on with the natives of some small isles, which the vessel passed; and before she came to an anchor, the natives came off from all parts, bringing yams and shaddocks, for which they received nails, beads, and old rags. A man attempted to steal the lead and line, and cut the line with a stone; but a discharge of small shot made him return it.
Early on monday morning, the 27th, the Captain and Mr. Gilbert landed in a cove, where water, rather brackish, was obtained from a pond, supposed to be the same at which Tasman was supplied. The natives were very courteous; and for a few nails and beads, assisted in rolling the casks to and from the pond. A friendly trade and intercourse being established, refreshments were procured in plenty; and some parties went into the country, to shoot or to botanize. When they returned, the Surgeon being left behind his party, got a canoe to bring him on board; but just as he was stepping into it, a fellow snatched his gun, and ran off with it. The Captain having forborne to take prompt measures for its recovery, the natives next morning were emboldened to run off with Lieut. Clerke's gun, from the watering place, and part of the cooper's tools. Upon this, the Captain, who landed soon after, resolved to seek redress without delay. Signal guns were fired from the ship, to bring back Mr. Forster and his party from the country; and the marines were ordered to go on shore armed. Before their arrival, Mr. Clerke's gun was restored by the natives, ​whom the Captain had apprized of his resolution. To ensure the restoration of the other, two large double canoes were seized; and one fellow making resistance, was wounded with small shot, and sent off limping. Not long after, the other gun was brought, and laid at the Captain's feet; upon which he ordered the canoes to be forthwith restored. The cooper's adze, after some delay, was also brought back. It was reported, that the wounded man had died; but fortunately the report proved to be incorrect. The Surgeon bled him, and dressed his wounds; and pronounced him in a fair way of recovery. The Captain made him a present also, to solace him in his affliction; but it was taken by his master, or the owner of the canoe.
While the usual trade was going on at the ship, it was observed, that a person who seemed to be of some consequence, collected a kind of tribute from those who sold fruit and roots, taking a portion out of each canoe; for which cause, the sailors named him the Custom-house Officer. The seamen were as eager as ever in purchasing curiosities, and as pieces of cloth were usually given in exchange, most of them, as the Captain remarks, were "stripped of the few clothes the ladies of Otaheite had left them." The disgraceful traffic with females, alluded to in this remark, was not, however, permitted here; for a loathsome disease, the effect of licentiousness, being now on board, the Captain, to prevent its being communicated to the natives, strictly prohibited all such intercourse, and gave positive orders that no female should enter the ship. An elderly female, who had been useful in conducting the negociation with the islanders, offered the Captain ​a young girl, with a view to get presents; and felt much disappointed, when he would not accept her, nor allow her to go on board.
On the 30th, our navigator quitted Anamocka, and the small isles beside it, directing his course for two very lofty islands, Amattafoa, and Oghao. A column of smoke, arising from the former, seemed to indicate the presence of a volcano; but when the Resolution passed through a channel between the two islands, in the afternoon, their summits could not be seen, being enveloped in clouds. In this passage, the ship was followed by several canoes; and, it was noticed, that some of them were so constructed, that either end might be the stem, or the stern, according to circumstances. They changed tacks, by merely shifting the sail.
The Captain had intended to touch at Tongataboo; but, the wind not favouring his purpose, he sailed to the westward, without landing at that island, or any other of this group, which he now designated the Friendly Islands.
On friday, July 1st, a small island was discovered, surrounded by a reef, near which was seen a quantity of turtle, from which the place was called Turtle Isle. No channel was found to admit the ship through the reef; but the Master, who was employed in taking soundings, went through with a boat, and landed at a place where about twenty natives were seen, armed with clubs and spears. As soon as he touched the shore, they all retired into the woods: he left them a knife, with some medals and nails, and returned on board. About five or six miles to the S.W. of Turtle Isle, a number of coral rocks were met with, which might be described as one of the coral reef isles, just emerging ​to the surface: the chain of rocks being almost all covered by the flood tide, while in the middle space, corresponding with the lagoon, there was deep water.
Having made sail hence to the west, our navigator, on saturday, the 16th, came in sight of high land, which was rightly judged to be part of the country discovered by Quiros in 1606, and visited in 1768 by Bougainville, who found it to be a cluster of islands, which he named the Great Cyclades. On the 18th, the Resolution passed the north end of Aurora Island, near the Peak of the Etoile, the most northerly of this group; and then stretched over for the Isle of Lepers, on which Bougainville landed. Here people were seen on the shore, and many beautiful cascades of water pouring down the neighbouring hills. Some natives came off in canoes; but though friendly signs were made to them, instead of drawing near, they returned to the shore, where their countrymen were seen, in numerous groups, armed with bows and arrows. Between this isle and Aurora, which also appeared richly supplied with wood and water, the Resolution continued plying for two days, the wind impeding her progress southward. On the 20th, our navigator reached Whitsuntide Island; and having passed this, discovered another island, called Ambrym; and after that, a much larger island, named Mallicollo; where the Resolution anchored, in the evening of the 21st, in a creek which he named Port Sandwich. The natives soon came off in canoes; and although shy at first, were induced to exchange for pieces of cloth a few of their arrows, some of which, pointed with bone and dipped in a green gummy substance, appeared to ​be poisoned. Two men ventured on board, and were dismissed with presents.
Next morning, great numbers came off, some in canoes, and others swimming; and more of them came on board than the Captain wished to admit at a time. He took four of them into the cabin, and gave them presents, with which they were much pleased. In the mean time, a fellow in a canoe, being refused admittance into a boat that was alongside, bent his bow to shoot at the boat-keeper. Some of his countrymen prevented him, particularly one of the above four, who leaped for that purpose out of the cabin window: but the man having shaken him off, again directed his arrow toward the boat-keeper, when the Captain, who had come on deck, calling to him, he turned round to shoot at the Captain himself. The latter fired at him with small shot, which staggered him for a moment; but as he still remained in a hostile attitude, a second shot was required to make him drop his bow, and paddle off with his frightened comrades. At this time, some began to shoot arrows on the other side, and a musket discharged in the air having little effect on them, a four pound shot was fired over their heads, which sent them off in the utmost confusion, several of them leaving their canoes behind. The beating of drums, as if summoning the country to arms, was soon after heard on shore: but, in a short time, the islanders recovered from their panic; some came off to pick up their canoes, and finding that they were not molested, some even ventured to come alongside the ship.
After a short interval, the captain and some of his men, putting off in two boats, landed in the ​face of four or five hundred people, who were assembled on the shore; and though they were all armed with bows and arrows, clubs and spears, they made no opposition. For the Captain, who had recently impressed them with a sense of his power, now approached them with signals of peace. He advanced alone, with nothing but a green branch in his hand; and one of the chiefs, laying aside his bow and arrows, met him in the water, bearing the same emblem; and their branches being exchanged, he took the Captain by the hand, and led him up to the crowd, among whom he proceeded to distribute presents, while the marines landed and were drawn up on the beach. Signs being made, that wood was wanted for the ship, the natives gave permission to cut down trees; which was done accordingly. But no trade for provisions could be established; not only because the language of the natives was unintelligible to our people, differing from any they had yet heard; but because they set no value on nails and iron tools, and at the same time shewed great jealousy of their visitors, being very unwilling that they should go further than the beach, and greatly desiring that they should return on board. Only one hog was received; and it seemed to be brought as a peace-offering. The party returned on board about noon, with the wood they had cut; and the natives also retired in various directions.
In the afternoon, the Captain and Mr. Forster landed near some of their plantations and houses, of which they took a view. Their houses, which were just within the skirts of the woods, were similar to those of the Friendly Isles, low, and covered with palm thatch. Fowls and pigs were seen near ​their dwellings; and they had bread-fruit, cocoanuts, plantains, and yams. As they had no dogs, the Captain left them a pair to breed. The names of several islands in sight, were obtained from these people, as well as the designation of their own island. The harbour was remarkably safe; but no stream of fresh water was observed. In returning on board in the evening, the Captain saw some of the natives commencing a dance, and heard the sound of a drum, and other music; but when he approached with the boat, to take a nearer view, all was silent.
Next morning, when the natives saw the Resolution under sail, they came off in canoes, and bartered more freely than before. Their honesty in trading deserves to be noticed, as it exhibited a striking contrast to the roguery of other S. Sea islanders. Some who had received goods, but had not delivered the price, used their utmost efforts to get up with the ship, to put the articles on board. One man, in particular, followed the vessel a great way; and having come up with it during a calm, he would not part with the article he had brought, to any one but the purchaser; and when the latter, who had forgotten the bargain, offered him something in return, he refused it, and shewed him what he had given for it already. These islanders set most value on pieces of cloth, and marbled paper. Like the other inhabitants of this group, the men wear no clothes, but a belt, and a small piece of cloth or leaf for a wrapper. The females, who seldom came near, wore a kind of petticoat. Both had bracelets, ear-rings, and an ornament, if it might be so called, piercing the bridge of the nose: but they are described as an ugly race, of a ​very dark colour, and having faces like monkeys. The letter R abounds in their language. They express their admiration by hissing like a goose.
Leaving Port Sandwich on the 23rd, the Resolution proceeding in a S.E. course, passed the islands of Ambrym, Paoom, and Apee. A group of small isles lying off the S. E. point of Apee, the Captain named Shepherd's Isles, in honour of his friend Dr. Shepherd, Plumian Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge. Among these isles, the ship was for some time becalmed, on the 24th; and was in danger of being driven on shore by currents. At this time, most of the officers were seized with violent pains in the head and bones, and were otherwise disordered, in consequence of having dined on two reddish fish, like a large bream, caught in Port Sandwich. A hog and a dog, which had partaken of this poisonous fish, died; and a week or ten days elapsed before all the gentlemen recovered. Some of the isles which the Resolution passed on the 25th, in her progress southward, were named from their most striking features; one being called, Three Hills; another, Two Hills; and a third, the Monument. This last, being a steep rock, accessible only to birds, was the only island on which no people were seen. To the south of these, many other islands were met with; the largest, which presented a most delightful prospect, richly diversified with woods and lawns, was named Sandwich Island; and the names Montagu and Hinchinbrook were conferred on the two that were next in size.
Standing towards the S.E., our navigator, on the 27th, discovered another large island, the name of which was found to be Erromango; but owing ​to contrary winds, calms, and currents, he did not reach it till monday, August 1st; and after ranging along the west and north coasts, not without danger from contrary winds and currents, he cast anchor on the 3rd, in a bay near a lofty promontory on the N.E. side of the island. Next morning, he went with two boats, to look for a landing place, and to procure wood and water. The natives invited him to land; and when he gave them some cloth, and medals, they offered to haul the boats over the breakers: but he preferred seeking a better landing place, and they directed him down into the bay, and round a rocky point, where he stepped out of the boat on a fine sandy beach. The natives having run along the shore, assembled here in great numbers; he met them with only a green branch in his hand, which one of them had previously given him; and they received him very courteously, forming a semicircle round the boat's bow, at a respectful distance, under the direction of a chief. This man the Captain loaded with presents, and gave some also to others near him. When he made signs for fresh water, the chief sent a man for a little in a bamboo; and on his asking for something to eat, a yam and some cocoa-nuts were presently brought him. Thus far he was charmed with their behaviour; yet as most of them were armed with clubs, spears, darts, bows and arrows, he judged it prudent to be on his guard, and especially to watch the looks and actions of the chief. This man made many signs to him to haul the boat on shore; and when he hesitated about accepting some spike-nails, and began to give some directions to the crowd, the Captain suspecting that evil was intended, stepped into the boat. This ​they immediately began to lay hold of, and some snatched the oars out of the seamen's hands. Captain pointing a musket at them, they desisted for a moment, but presently renewed their attempt. He then levelled his piece at their chief, to make him the sole victim of this treachery; but it missed fire and as the natives began to throw stones and darts, and to shoot their arrows, he found it absolutely necessary to order his men to fire at them. The first discharge threw them into confusion; but a second was required to drive them off the beach. Four of them fell in the skirmish, two of whom afterwards crawled into the bushes. The Captain was glad that many of the muskets did not go off, as the slaughter would otherwise have been much greater. On his side, one man was severely wounded in the cheek with a dart, and Mr. Gilbert was slightly hurt in the breast with an arrow.
Having returned on board with his party, Capt. Cook observing a number of the natives assembled on the low rocky point, displaying two oars which had been lost in the scuffle, and which perhaps they wanted to restore, fired a four pound shot at them, to shew them the effect of the great guns; upon which, seeing the shot fall near them, they ran off in terror, leaving the oars standing up against the bushes. The Captain had intended to bring the ship nearer the shore, and to land again in quest of water; but a fair wind arising, he sailed out of the bay, to pursue his course towards the south, giving the adjoining promontory the appropriate name of Traitor's Head.
On friday the 5th, our navigator arrived at another island, which was found to be called Tanna. A great light seen at the east end of it during the ​night, proved to be the flame of a volcano, which threw up quantities of fire and smoke, with a rumbling noise heard at a distance. A fine harbour being discovered, afterwards named Port Resolution, the ship was safely anchored here, in order to be supplied with wood and water. While the vessel was warping in, many of the natives came off to her, some in canoes, and others by swimming; and though shy at first, they at length ventured to come under the stern, and made some exchanges. They threw some cocoa-nuts towards the ship; and the Captain went into a boat, and picked them up; presenting some cloth and other articles in return. This encouraged others to approach; and they soon became insolent and daring, attempting to carry off every thing within their reach, particularly the buoys of the anchors. A few muskets fired in the air had no effect; but the discharge of a four pounder made them quit their canoes, and leap into the water. Yet finding thenselves unhurt, they soon rallied; and shouting, and flourishing their weapons, returned to the buoys but a few musquetoon shots sent them all on shore, without hurting them. During these transactions, a friendly old man, named Paowang, made several trips to the vessel in a small canoe, disposing of cocoa-nuts or yams, for any thing that was given him.
Towards evening, the Captain landed with a strong force in the face of a crowd of natives; who formed two parties, on the right and the left, armed with clubs, darts, spears, slings and stones, bows and arrows. The Captain gave presents to the old people; and he and his men, after filling two casks with fresh water at a pond, and ​receiving a few cocoa-nuts, returned on board unmolested.
Next day, to facilitate the shipment of wood and water, which were much wanted, and to overawe the natives, that they might not interrupt the men when at work, the Resolution was warped farther up the harbour, and moored abreast of the landing place. While this was doing, the islanders assembled to the amount of some thousands, armed as before; and stationed themselves in two parties, one on each side of the landing place. A few persons came off now and then in a canoe, bringing cocoa-nuts or plantains; and, though they asked nothing in return, care was taken that they should always have something. Old Paowang was one who came off; and the Captain, having given him a large piece of loth, made signs to him, that his countrymen should lay aside their weapons. He returned on shore, and was seen speaking to both the companies on the subject; while he set them an example by laying aside his own weapons, and henceforth appearing unarmed. Some of his brethren, however, were less pacific. Three fellows in a canoe came under the stern, one of whom brandished a club, which he struck against the ship's side in defiance. He at last offered to exchange his club for a string of beads, and other trifles; but when these were handed down to him, he and his comrades paddled off with the club. This was what the Captain expected; and to shew the natives the effect of fire arms, a fowling piece, loaded with small shot, was discharged at the rogue: and when he was out of musket shot, some musquetoons, or wall pieces, were fired; which made all the three leap out of ​the canoe, and swim ashore with her, under her off side.
The ship being moored, the Captain embarked with the marines, and a party of seamen, in three boats; and made for the landing place, where the natives had left a space for them, and had deposited a few small bunches of plantains, a yam, and two or three roots; between which and the water, four small reeds were stuck upright in the sand. Paowang and two others stood here, inviting the party to land. The Captain, remembering the trap laid for him at Erromango, made signs for both divisions to retire farther back, and leave more room; and Paowang seemed to desire them to comply. But as they kept their stations, and increased in numbers, the Captain, to frighten them, ordered a musket to be fired over the right hand division, which was by far the strongest. For a moment they were alarmed; but presently recovering themselves, they began to display their weapons. One fellow held up his posteriors, so as to express his defiance and contempt. Upon this three or four muskets were fired, as a signal for ship to fire a few great guns; which presently dispersed them. The Captain and his friends the landed, and marked out the limits on the right and left, by a line. Paowang still kept his ground, while his comrades had fled; and his confidence was rewarded with a present. Others gradually approached; but were now more friendly and civil: some laying aside their arms, and some climbing the cocoa-nut trees, and casting down nuts to their visitors, who gave them presents in return. The Captain made signs, that wood was wanted, as well as water; and his aged friend, with those ​around, gave him license to cut down wood, on condition that the cocoa-nut trees should be spared. Matters being thus amicably settled, the Captain and his party returned on board to dine, and the islanders dispersed. It is noticed as a very happy circumstance, that no one appeared to have been. hurt by the shots, either on that day or the day preceding. The British landed again in the afternoon, and while a quantity of water was taken on board, a large supply of mullet, and other fish, was caught with the seine. They saw only a few natives, among whom was their trusty friend Paowang, who presented them with a pig, the only one procured at the island.
Here our navigators remained for a fortnight, during which they not only took in wood, water, and ballast; but repaired the main-top mast, and the tiller. The volcano, which was about four miles to the west of them, was often troublesome. It vomited columns of fire and smoke, sometimes to a prodigious height; and threw up great stones occasionally, with a terrible noise. The air was generally loaded with ashes, which fell at the harbour in the form of fine powder, exceedingly annoying to the eyes, and covering every thing with dust. It was unusually furious during rain; and at such times, the rain which fell at the harbour was like a shower of mire. Excursions were frequently made into the country, and more than once a party set out to visit the volcano: but the natives, who were jealous of such intrusions, refuse to conduct them thither, and even purposely led them out of the way; and so many hilly ridges, densely covered with wood, were found to intervene, that the project was given up. The volcano ​was not situated on an eminence, but on the side of a ridge, which was far from being the highest part of the island. In different spots on the sides of the hill, to the west of the harbour, were seen fissures in the ground, communicating with the volcano, and emitting quantities of smoke or steam, especially when it raged with most violence. The ground at these places was very hot, a sulphureous smell was felt, and particles of sulphur, with a substance that tasted like alum, were found. Near some of these spots, fig-trees were seen growing luxuriantly. On the same side of the harbour, a man scalded his fingers, in taking up a stone for ballast, out of some water; and this led to the discovery of hot springs, at the foot of the cliff. In one of these, the thermometer rose to 2021/2°, being very near the temperature of boiling water.
The natives soon began to be reconciled to their visitors, whose power they had been taught to respect. So careful were they to avoid giving offence, that when an axe and other articles had been left on shore, through negligence, they brought them on board. Paowang and the old people, were particularly respectful. A few of the young men were occasionally troublesome; and, in one or two instances, it was necessary to fire small shot, to check them. Other young people, however, became attached to the strangers; particularly a youth named Whā-ā-gou, who dined with the Captain, on the 9th. His friends came off in a canoe to inquire after him, and when he spoke to them from the quarter-gallery, they went on shore, and quickly returned with a cock, a little sugarcane, and a few cocoa-nuts, as a present to the Captain. The latter presented him with a pair of ​dogs, on which he set great value. Paowang brought several presents; and on that day, when the Captain went on shore with the youth, his old friend brought him a present of fruit and roots, which, to make a greater show, about twenty men were employed to bring, although two could easily have carried the whole. Mr. Forster, in one of his botanical excursions, fell in with Paowang's house; where he saw most of the articles that had been given him, hanging on the adjoining trees and bushes, as if unworthy to be under his roof.
The natives were at first jealous of allowing the strangers to visit their dwellings; and told some of the men, that they might go home with them, if they stripped themselves naked as they were. But when they became better acquainted with their new friends, they permitted them to visit and examine their huts; each of which might be compared to the roof of a thatched cottage, taken off the walls, and placed on the ground. Some were open at both ends; others partially closed with reeds. A few were 30 or 40 feet long, by 14 or 16 broad. One hut, closed at both ends, and surrounded by a reed fence, was understood to contain a dead body. The Captain was very desirous to look within; but the elderly man who conducted him, would not permit him, and was even displeased at his looking into a basket that hung at one end of the hut, containing a piece of roasted yam and some leaves. He, and a woman that was with him, had locks of human hair, fastened to a kind of necklace; and they both refused to sell any of them to the Captain, intimating that the hair was that of the dead person within.
Their houses were generally shaded with large ​trees, and near most of them were some upright stems of trees, fixed in the ground, on purpose to hang up cocoa-nuts to dry. They had fine plantations in several places, laid out by line; well stocked with fruit-trees, plantains, sugar-canes, yams, and other roots. The nutmeg appears to grow on the island; for Mr. Forster shot a pigeon with a wild nutmeg in its craw. In most of their plantations were some deep holes, for catching rats; which abound here, and are very destructive to the canes.
When the tiller was found to want repairing, there was but one tree in the neighbourhood judged fit for that purpose; and when the carpenter and others began to cut it down, on the 16th, Paowang was displeased. The Captain, apprized of this, gave orders to desist; and going ashore, sent for Paowang, presented him with a dog and a piece of cloth; and then explained to him, and to those who were with him, for what purpose the tree was wanted. Upon this, they all, with one voice, gave their consent, and were well pleased with the way he took to obtain it. The Captain took his friend on board to dine with him, and afterwards accompanied him on shore, to visit an old chief, named Geogy, said to be the Areeke, or King, of the island. He wore a broad red and white checkered belt, and had a merry open countenance, although very old. He had a son with him, not less than 45 or 50 years of age, who also had the title Areeke. Next day they both dined with the Captain on board; eating heartily of plantain-pudding, greens, and yams, but scarcely tasting the salt beef and pork. Each of them received, after dinner, a hatchet, a spike-nail, and some ​medals; and then their Majesties were conducted on shore, well pleased with their visit.
In conversing with the inhabitants of Tanna, our people were given to understand that they were cannibals; but as no tokens of it were seen, the Captain expresses a doubt, whether their language may not have been misunderstood. On another point, it was fully ascertained, that their actions had been misinterpreted. The uncommon attentions which they paid to some young men, and their endeavours to entice them into the woods, gave rise to an opinion, that the natives were addicted to an unnatural crime; but it was afterwards found, that they had mistaken these youths for women. Hence the Captain observes, that there is a danger of forming erroneous notions of a people, whose language is imperfectly understood.
The language of these islanders bears no affinity to that of Mallicollo, but is the same that is spoken in the islands that are nearer. The natives knew nothing of Mallicollo, Apec, and the isles adjacent: indeed, their geographical knowledge scarcely exceeded the limits of their horizon.
The females of Tanna, as in most savage tribes, are treated with great harshness, having all the most laborious work to perform. It was common to see them carrying the most ponderous loads, like beasts of burden, while their tyrannical lords were walking beside them at their ease. This degradation of the weaker sex prevails among almost all uncivilized nations. It is Christianity that most effectually elevates females to their proper sphere, and secures for them that respect to which they are entitled.
​The canoes of Tanna are very rudely constructed; but the clubs, bows, arrows, and spears are neatly made. Scarcely any implements for fishing were seen, as the people live almost wholly on the produce of the land. They are very expert in throwing their darts or spears; for which purpose they use a becket, that is, a piece of thick plaited cord about six inches long, with an eye in one end, and a knot at the other; the eye being fixed on the forefinger of the right hand, while the other end is hitched round the middle of the dart. Mr. Wales, who was much among them, makes the following interesting remarks in his journal, relating to their expertness in the use of the spear: "I must confess, I have been often led to think the feats which Homer represents his heroes as performing with their spears, a little too much of the marvellous to be admitted into an heroic poem; I mean, when confined within the strait stays of Aristotle. Nay, even so great an advocate for him as Mr. Pope, acknowledges them to be surprising. But since I have seen what these people can do with their wooden spears, and them badly pointed, and not of a very hard nature, I have not the least exception to any one passage in that great poet on this account. But, if I see fewer exceptions, I can find infinitely more beauties in him; as he has, I think, scarce an action, circumstance, or description of any kind whatever, relating to a spear, which I have not seen and recognized among these people; as their whirling motion, and whistling noise, as they fly; their quivering motion, as they stick in the ground when they fall; their meditating their aim, when they are going to throw; and their ​shaking them in their hand as they go along, &c., &c."
As the natives were generally civil and courteous, after being made sensible of the power of fire-arms, the Captain was much displeased with any of his people, who employed these arms unnecessarily, to frighten or hurt them. An instance of this kind had happened on the 10th, when the petty officers. attending the wood party, fired at some boys, who had thrown two or three stones from behind a thicket. A more lamentable case of wanton cruelty occurred on friday, the 19th. The men were getting some logs of wood into a boat, when several natives came forward to see what was doing; and having overstepped the limits marked out at the landing place, the sentry ordered them to fall back; which they readily did. At this time, the Captain saw with surprise the sentry presenting his piece at them; and before he had time to reprove him, the rascal fired, and one of the men fell. He was lifted up, and carried off by two others, who washed his wound. The Captain immediately sent for the Surgeon; but on his arrival, the poor fellow was found to be expiring. The cruel sentry pretended, that he had been forced to fire in his own defence, as a man who stood near the unfortunate victim, had bent his bow to shoot at him. This lamentable circumstance threw the natives into great consternation, and several of them ran to the plantations, and brought cocoa-nuts, &c., which they laid at the feet of the strangers, to propitiate them.—In the afternoon, when the Captain went on shore again, only a few natives were seen; among whom were his friends Paowang and Whā-ā-gou, who promised to bring him some refresh​ments next morning, a promise which the very early departure of the ship made it impossible to fulfil.
During his stay at Tanna, Capt. Cook obtained the names of other islands in sight, some of which had been observed in approaching it: particularly, Immer, a small island to the north-east; Erronan, the most easterly of this group; and Annatom, the most southerly: as well as Erromango, the island last visited. Port Resolution, which he now quitted, is situated in 19° 32' 25"1/2 S. latitude, 169° 44' 35" E. longitude. Taking his departure from thence, at 4 o'clock on saturday morning, August 20th, he stretched to the east and south, to take a nearer view of Erronan, and Annatom; and see if any other islands lay beyond them. Returning thence on the 21st, he coasted along the S.W. side of Tanna; and passing Erromango, and afterwards Sandwich Island, on the same side, he began to range along the S.W. coast of Mallicollo, on tuesday the 23rd. This is the largest island of the group, except Tierra del Espiritu Santo, the most westerly of the whole. Through the strait between these two islands, which he called Bougainville's Passage, Capt. Cook steered on the 23rd and 24th, and a small island in the passage, he named St. Bartholomew. Coasting along the largest island, our navigator, on the 25th, entered the Bay of St. Philip and St. Jago, discovered in 1606 by Quiros, who named his place of anchorage, at the head of the bay, the Port of Vera Cruz. The east point of this bay, Capt. Cook named Cape Quiros; and the N.W. point, Cape Cumberland. The former is situated in 14° 56' S. lat., 167° 13' E. long.
Troops of natives had been seen on the coast of ​Mallicollo; but, as the ship did not shorten sail, none of them came off. The natives in the Bay of St. Philip and St. Jago, ventured off in their canoes to look at the Resolution; but they soon took fright, and returned ashore. At last three canoes, containing five or six men in each, came so near as to receive a few presents. They were nearly as naked as the people of Tanna, wearing only a belt, with some long grass, or flags, hanging down before and behind. They understood the numerals, and other words, in the language of Anamocka; but, in some respects, they resembled the New Zealanders.
From the 27th to the 31st, our navigator coasted along the Tierra del Espiritu Santo, sailing round it, till he reached the S.W. point of the island, which he named Cape Lisburne. And now, having seen, and partly examined, all these islands, several of which were hitherto undiscovered, Capt. Cook felt himself entitled to give a name to the whole, and called this group the New Hebrides. He gives a description of the size and position of the principal islands, with the latitude and longitude of a number of points, as ascertained by himself and Mr. Wales. In the construction of his charts of these islands, as well as of other groups, he not only enjoyed the assistance of that able astronomer, but of the officers on board; who, under his skilful directions, had become so expert in taking observations, for determining the longitude and latitude, that he himself remarks, "I have seldom known any material difference, between the observations made by Mr. Wales, and those made by the officers at the same time."