In confequence of this refolution, on the 3d of September, the captain, accompanied by Meffrs. Banks and Solander, and attended by the boat's crew and Mr. Banks's fervant, fet out in the pinnace; but when they came within two hundred yards of the fhore, the water was fo fhallow, that they were obliged to leave the boat to the care of two of the failors, and wade to land. They were no fooner clear of the water, than they faw feveral prints of human feet on the fand, below high water mark, whence it was evident that the natives had been very lately there. Our adventurers were now near a quarter of a mile from the pinnace, when three of the natives ran out of the woods, about one hundred yards beyond them, fhouting in the most violent manner. They inftantly ran towards our countrymen, the first of the three throwing fomething out of his hand, which flew on one fide of him, burning in the fame manner as gunpowder, but making no noife, while the other two threw their lances. The English now fired; when the natives ftopped, and cast another lance, on which the mufquets were loaded with ball and again fired. The poor Indians now ran off with expedition, having moft probably been wounded in the unequal conflict. Captain Cook and his companions, unwilling farther to injure those who could not originally have intended them any harm, retreated hastily to the boat, which having reached, they rowed abreast of the natives, who by this time were affembled to the number of about eighty. Their ftature was nearly the fame with that of the inhabitants of New South Wales, but their colour not quite fo dark. During the furvey that was taken of them, they continued letting off their fires, a few at a time, in a kind of regular platoons; they were discharged by means of a piece of flick, almost like a hollow cane, which being fwung fideways, produced fire and smoke exactly like that occafioned by the firing of finall arms. The crew on board the ship faw this strange phoenomenon, and thought the natives had fire-arms. The gentlemen having fatisfied their curiofity, by attentively looking at these people, fired fome mufquets above their heads, the balls from which being heard to rattle among the trees, the natives deliberately retired. The lances which had been thrown foon after the gentlemen landed, were made of a reed, or bamboo cane, and the points were made of hard wood, barbed in several places; it is imagined, that these lances were discharged by means of a throwing-stick, as they flew with great swiftnefs above sixty yards. The whole coaft of this country is low land, but clothed with a richness of trees and herbage which exceeds all defcription. The cocoa-nut trees were also very numerous. On the evening of the 9th, they faw what had the appearance of land. The fhip ftood off and on during the night, when a number of fires were feen upon the island, and the next morning smoke was feen in feveral places, whence it was conjectured that the place was well peopled. On the 16th, they had fight of the little island called Rotte; and the fame day faw the island Semau. At ten o'clock this night a dull reddish light was feen in the air. This phenomenon, which reached about ten degrees above the horizon, bore a confiderable resemblance to the Aurora Borealis, only that the rays of light which it emitted had no tremulous motion. It was furveyed for two hours, during which time its brightness continued undiminished. As the ship was now clear of all the islands which had been laid down in fuch maps as were on board, they made fail during the night, and were furprised the next morning at the fight of an ifland to the west-south-west, which they flattered themselves was a new a new discovery. Before noon they had fight of houses, groves of cocoa-nut trees, and large flocks of fheep. This was a welcome fight to people whofe health was de clining for want of refreshments. The fecond lieutenant was immediately dispatched in the pinnace, in fearch of a landing-place; and he took with him fuch things as it was thought might be acceptable to the natives: Dr. Solander went with him. Two horfemen were feen from the ship, one of whom had a laced hat on, and was dreffed in a coat and waistcoat of the fashion of Europe. These men rode about on fhore, taking little notice of the boat, but regarding the fhip with the utmost attention. As foon as the boat reached the fhore, fome other perfons on horfeback, and many on foot, haftened to the fpot, and it was obferved that fome cocoa-nuts were put into the boat, from whence it was concluded that a traffick had commenced with the natives. A fignal being made from the boat that the ship might anchor in a bay at some distance, the immediately bore away for it. When the lieutenant came on board, he reported that he could not purchase any cocoa-nuts, as the owner of them was abfent, and that what he had brought were given him; in return for which he had presented the natives with fome linen. The method by which he learnt that there was a harbour in the neighbourhood, was by the natives drawing a kind of rude map on the fand, in which the harbour, and a town near it were represented; it was likewife hinted to him that fruit, fowls, hogs, and fheep, might be there obtained in great abundance. He faw feveral of the principal inhabitants of the island, who wore chains of gold about their necks, and were dreffed in fine linen. When the boat's crew were on the point of returning to the ship, the gentleman who had been seen on horseback in the dress of Europe came down to the beach; but the lieutenant did not think it proper to hold a conference with him, be cause he had left his commiffion on board the fhip. In the evening, when the ship had entered the bay to which they had been recommended, an Indian town was feen at a small distance, upon which a jack was hoifted on the fore-top-maft-head. Presently afterwards three guns were fired, and Dutch colours were hoifted in the town. The fhip, however, held on her way, and came to an anchor at seven in the evening. The colours being feen hoifted on the beach the next morning, the captain concluded that the Dutch had a fettlement on the island; he therefore dispatched the second lieutenant to mention what neceffaries they were in want of. He was conducted to the Raja, or King of the island, to whom, by means of a Portuguese interpreter, he made known his bufinefs. The Raja faid, he was ready to fupply the fhip with the neceffary refreshments; but that he could not trade with any other people but the Dutch, with whom he was in alliance, without having first obtained their confent; but that he would make application to the Dutch agent, who was the only white man among them. This agent, whofe name was Lange, behaved politely to the lieutenant, and told him he might buy what he thought proper of the inhabitants of the island. Immediately after, the Raja and Mr. Lange intimated their wishes to go on board the fhip, and that two of the boat's crew might be left as hoftages for their fafe return; the lieutenant gratified both these requests, and took them on board juft before dinner was ferved. It was thought that they would have fat down without ceremony; but, after fome hesitation, the Raja intimated his doubts, whether, being a black, they would permit him to fit down with them. The politenefs of the officers foon removed his fcruples, and the greatest good humour and festivity prevailed among them. As Dr. Solander, and another gentleman on board, were tolerable proficients in Dutch, they acted as interpreters between Mr. Lange and the officers, while fome of the failors, who understood Portuguese, converfed with fuch of the Raja's attendants as spoke that language. The chief part of the dinner was mutton, which the Raja having tasted, he begged an English fheep, and the only one which they had left was given him. He then asked for a dog, and Mr. Banks gave him his greyhound; and a spying-glafs was presented to him, on Mr. Lange's intimating that it would be acceptable. The vifitors now told Captain Cook, that there was great plenty of fowls, hogs, sheep and buffaloes on the island, numbers of which fhould be conveyed to the fea fhore on the following day, that he might purchase what was neceffary for the recovery of the fick, and for fea-ftores. This welcome news gave great fpirits to the company, and the bottle went fo brifkly round, that Mr. Lange and his companions became almost intoxicated. They had, however, the refolution to exprefs a defire to depart, before they were quite drunk. Meffrs. Solander and Banks went afhore with the vifitors, who were faluted at their departure with nine guns, which they returned with three cheers. On the following day the captain, attended by feveral gentlemen, went on fhore to return the Raja's vifit; but their principal intention was, to buy the refreshments which had been mentioned the preceding day. When they landed, they were chagrined to find that the cattle had not been driven down to the beach. They went on to the town. The Raja was at the house of affembly, furrounded by many of his principal fubjects; and Mr. Lange alfo attended. Captain Cook having informed them that he had loaded his boat with goods, which he wished to exchange for neceffary refreshments, permiffion was given to land his effects. The Captain now endeavoured to make an agreement for the hogs, fheep, and buffaloes, which were to be paid for in cafh; but this business was no fooner hinted at than Mr. Lange took his leave, having firft told the captain that he must make his agreement with the natives; and adding, that he had received a letter from the Governor of Concordia, in Timor, the contents of which fhould be difclofed at his return. They were invited to dine with the Raja, but he did not partake of the entertainment, as it was not customary here to fit down with their guefts. They began their dinner, which confifted of pork and rice, very excellent of their kinds, ferved up in. thirty-fix dishes, and three earthen bowls, filled with a kind of broth, in which the pork had been boiled. The spoons were formed of leaves, but were fo fmall, that the hunger of the guests would fcarcely allow them patience to use them. When dinner was ended, the captain invited the Raja to drink wine with him; but this he declined, faying, that the man who entertained company should never get drunk with his guests. When the bottle had circulated fome time, Captain Cook began to enquire after the cattle that were promised to be driven down to the beach; when Mr. Lange informed him, that in the letter which he had received from the Governor of Concordia, inftructions were given, that if the fhip fhould touch at the island, and be in want of provisions, she should be fupplied; but that he was not to permit her to remain longer than was abfolutely neceffary. That no prefents were to be made to the natives of low rank, nor even left with their fuperiors to be divided among them after the fhip had failed; but, he added, that any trifling civilities received from the Indians, might be acknowledged by a prefent of beads, or any other articles of fmall value. It is a very probable conjecture, that the whole of this story was of Mr. Lange's own manu facture, J facture, and folely calculated to draw all the prefents of any value into his own pocket. Soon after this the captain was informed, that fome sheep had been driven down to the beach; but had been conveyed away before the men could get money from the fhip to pay for them, and that not a fingle hog or buffaloe had been driven down; but that a small numer of fowls, and a quantity of the palm-fyrup had been bought. Heartily vexed to be thus difappointed of the chief articles which were wanted, the captain remonftrated with Mr. Lange, who told him, that if he and his officers had gone to the spot, they might have purchased any thing they pleased; but that the Indians imagined the feamen would impofe on them with counterfeit money. This story was no more credited than the former; but not to lose more time in a cafe of fuch urgency, the captain inftantly repaired to the beach; but there were no cattle to be bought. During his abfence, Lange informed Mr. Banks that the Indians were offended, that the feamen had not offered gold for what they had to fell, and that no other metal would purchase their commodities; but Mr. Banks, difdaining to hold farther converfation with a man who had been guilty of fuch repeated fubterfuges, left him abruptly. and On the 20th the captain and Dr. Solander went again on fhore, and while the latter proceeded to the town in fearch of Lange, the captain ftaid on the beach, with a view to buy cattle. At this place was an old man, who had been diftinguifhed by the name of prime minister, because he appeared to be invested with confiderable authority; the captain now presented him with a spying-glafs, in order to make a friend of him. At prefent there was nothing brought for fale but a small buffaloe, for which five guineas were demanded. Though the captain knew that this was double its value, yet he bid three guineas, as he was willing to begin dealing at any rate. The person who had it to fell faid, he could not take the money till the Raja had been informed what was offered; on which a man was fent to him, who foon came back with a meffage, that five guineas would be the lowest price: this the captain refused to give; on which a fecond meffenger was dispatched, who staying a long time, Captain Cook was anxiously expecting his return, when he faw Dr. Solander coming towards the beach, escorted by more than a hundred perfons, fome of whom had lances in their hands, and the reft were armed with mufquets. When the doctor arrived at the marketing place, he informed the captain, that Lange had interpreted to him a meffage from the Raja, the substance of which was, that the natives were averse to all traffick with the English, because they would not give above half the real worth of the things which were offered for fale; and that all trading whatever should be prohibited after that day. A native of Timor, whofe parents were Portuguese, came down with this party, and delivered to the captain what was pretended to be the order of the Raja, and which was in fubftance the fame as Lange had told Dr. Solander; but it was afterwards difcovered, that this man was a confederate of Lange's, in the scheme of extortion. The English gentlemen had at the fame time no doubt but that the supposed order of the Raja was a contrivance of these men; and while they were debating how they should act in this critical conjuncture, anxious to bring the affair to a speedy iffue, the Portuguese began to drive away fuch of the natives as had brought palm-fyrup and fowls to fell, and others who were now bringing fheep and buffaloes to the market. Juft at this juncture Captain Cook happening to look at the old man who had been diftinguished by the name of prime-minifter, imagined that he faw in his features a disapprobation of the prefent proceedings; and willing to improve the advantage, he grafped grafped the Indian's hand, and gave him an old broad fword. This well-timed prefent produced all the good effects that could be wifhed; the prime minifter was enraptured at fo honourable a mark of diftinction, and, brandifhing his fword over the head of the impertinent Portuguese, he made both him, and a man who commanded the party, fit down behind him on the ground. The whole bufinefs was now accomplished; the natives, eager to fupply whatever was wanted, brought their cattle in for fale, and the market was foon ftocked. For the firft two buffaloes Captain Cook gave ten guineas; but he afterwards purchafed them by way of exchange, giving a musquet for each; and at this rate he might have bought any number he thought proper. There seems to be no doubt but that Lange had a profit out of the first two that were fold, and that his reafon for having faid that the natives would take nothing but gold for their cattle, was, that he might the more eafily fhare in the produce. Captain Cook purchased of the natives of this ifland fome hundred gallons of palm-fyrup, a fmall quantity of garlick, a large number of eggs, fome limes, and cocoa-nuts, thirty dozen of fowls, three hogs, fix fheep, and nine buffaloes. Having at length obtained these neceffary refreshments, Captain Cook prepared for failing from this place. This ifland is called Savu; it is fituated in 10° 35′ fouth latitude, and 237° 30′ weft longitude, and has hitherto been very little known, or very imperfectly defcribed. Its length is between twenty and thirty miles; but its breadth could not be afcertained. At the time the Endeavour lay there it was near the end of the dry feason, when it had not rained for almost seven months, nor was there a running stream of fresh water to be seen, and the natives were fupplied only by small springs, fituated at a distance up the country. The rains in this country ceafe in March or April, and fall again in October or November: and these rains produce abundance of indico, millet, and maize, which grow beneath the nobleft trees in the universe. Befides these articles, the island produces tobacco, cotton, betle, tamarinds, limes, oranges, mangoes, rice, Guinea-corn, callevances, and water-melons. A trifling quantity of cinnamon was feen, and fome European herbs, fuch as garlic, fennel, celery and marjoram; befides which, there are fruits of various kinds, and particularly the blimbi, which has a fharp tafte, and is faid to be a fine pickle, but it is not eaten raw. Several buffaloes were feen on this island, which were almost as large as an ox: and from a pair of enormous horns of this animal which Mr. Banks faw, it was conjectured, that fome of them were much larger; yet they did not weigh more than half as much as an ox of the fame apparent fize, having loft the greater part of their flesh through the late dry weather; the meat, however, was juicy, and of a delicate flavour. The horns of these animals bend backwards, they have no dewlaps, nor scarce any hair on their skins, and their ears are remarkably large. The other tame animals on the ifland are dogs, cats, pigeons, fowls, hogs, goats, fheep, affes and horfes. Few of the horses are above twelve hands high, yet they are full of mettle, and pace naturally in an expeditious manner; the natives ride them with a halter only. The fheep are not unlike a goat, and are therefore called cabritos. The fea-coaft furnishes the inhabitants with turtle, but not in any great abundance. The natives of the island of Savu are rather below the middle ftature; their hair is black and straight, and perfons of all ranks, as well thofe that are expofed to the weather, as those that are not, have one general complexion, which is dark brown, The men are well formed and sprightly, and their features differ much from each other: the women, on the contrary, have all one fet of features, and are very short and broad built. VOL. XI. 4 C The |
