Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/148

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
90
OTAHITE
Chap. V

me, telling me at the same time that they would soon be ready, and how good a dinner we should have. In about half an hour all was taken up, but Dootahah began to repent of his intended generosity (he thought, I suppose, that a hog would be looked upon as no more than a dinner, and consequently no present made in return); he therefore changed his mind, and ordering one of the pigs into the boat, sent for us, who soon collected together, and getting our knives prepared to fall to, saying that it was civil of the old gentleman to bring the provisions into the boat, where we could with ease keep the people at a proper distance. His intention was, however, very different from ours, for instead of asking us to eat, he asked to go on board of the ship, a measure we were forced to comply with, and row four miles with the pig growing cold under our noses before he would give it to us. On board, however, we dined upon this same pig, and his Majesty ate very heartily with us. After dinner we went ashore. The sight of Dootahah reconciled to us acted like a charm upon the people, and before night, bread-fruit and cocoanuts were brought for sale in tolerable quantity.

10th. This morning Captain Cook planted divers seeds which he had brought with him in a spot of ground turned up for the purpose; they were all bought of Gordon at Mile End, and sent in bottles sealed up. Whether or no that method will succeed, the event of this plantation will show.

We have now got the Indian name of this island, Otahite, so therefore for the future I shall call it. As for our own names the Indians find so much difficulty in pronouncing them that we are forced to indulge them in calling us what they please, or rather what they say when they attempt to pronounce them. I give here the list: Captain Cook is Toote, Dr. Solander Torano, Mr. Hicks Hete, Mr. Gore Toarro, Mr. Molineux Boba (from his Christian name Robert), Mr. Monkhouse Mato, I myself Tapane. In this manner they have names for almost every man in the ship.

11th. Cocoanuts were brought down so plentifully this