Toote being
the name by which the natives called Cook.
Here Oedidee, who had been so long on board, was landed, greatly to the
grief of the young islander, who, as he looked up at the ship, burst
into tears, and then sank down into the canoe which was conveying him
ashore.
After leaving Olietea, the _Resolution_ proceeded westward, sighting
Howe Island, seen by Captain Wallis, and afterwards an island before
unknown, to which the name of Palmerston was given. On the 20th of June
she came in sight of an island eleven leagues in circuit. Keeping the
ship well out to sea, Captain Cook in vain attempted to open a
communication with the natives, who, regardless of the muskets pointed
at them, rushed forward, shaking their spears. One man darted his
weapon at Captain Cook, who, to defend himself, pulled his trigger, but
his musket missed fire. Unwilling to shed blood, he and his companions
retired to their boat. In consequence of the fierce behaviour of the
natives, he named this Savage Island.
After leaving this place, the _Resolution_ steered westward, or
west-south-west, until a string of islands was seen ahead, which proved
to be those of the Tonga group. A canoe came off. At first the
inhabitants appeared to be friendly, but various thefts were committed.
Mr Clark's gun was snatched out of his hand, and another savage seized
a fowling-piece belonging to the surgeon, who was out shooting. The
marines were therefore landed, and took possession of two large double
sailing canoes; but the chiefs restored the articles, and brought on
board a man who had been slightly wounded by small shot, stretched on a
board as if dead. They seemed to think the captain wanted him. On
examination, he proved to be very slightly hurt, and his wounds were
dressed.
After leaving the Friendly Islands, the Australis del Esperito Santo of
Quiros was reached. Sailing round it, Cook proved it to be an island.
Passing another, which the natives called Ambrym, he anchored the next
day off another island, of which he discovered the name to be Mallicolo.
The natives were hideous in appearance and very dark, while their
language differed entirely from that of the other South Sea Islands.
Having passed several more islands, he again anchored, on the 3rd of
August, on the south-east side of Erromango. Here a large number of
people assembled as the boat pulled for the shore. Cook landed with
only a green branch in his hand, and offered
|