f i l
Tuefday 19*
A V O Y A G E OF D I S C O V E R Y
Calms and light baffling winds detained us; in this inactive fituation,
which was rendered extremely unpleafant by a heavy irregular fwell,
and by oppreffively hot fultry weather. A circumftance now occurred
that contributed to make me infinitely more diflatisfied with this irkfome
detention from the fhore. The only bull that remained, and a cow that
had brought forth a dead calf, were no longer able to Hand on their legs,
and it was evident, that if a fpeedy opportunity did not offer itfelf for relieving
them by fending them on fhore, their lives could not poffibly be
preferved. The lofs, particularly of the bull, would have been a cruel
difappointment to my withes ; but as favorable circumftances often take
place when leaft expected, fo it was- on this, occafion.
In the afternoon of the igth we were vifited by many canoes, though,
at the diftance of 8 or q leagues from the land. In one of thefe was a
chief named Crymamahoo, half brother to Tamaafmaah, and chief o f
the diftriS of Ahiedo. To him and to his friends I made fuch prefents.
as were confidered by Kahowmotoo- highly, fuitable to his rank,, and which,
were accepted with marks of great approbation, and. content: this induced
me to hope, that by his good offices I fhould be enabled to get
thefe poor animals conveyed; to the fhore. As his canoe was fufficiently
large and, roomy, T. requefted he would.content to, their being, put into,
it, but to my great furprize.a. thoufand evafions and ex-eufes. were immediately.
ftarted. Anxious for the future advantages thefe people would
derive by the propagation of thefe animals, 1 probably difcoveredrmuch'
earneftnefs, whilft endeavouring to prevail with Crymamahooto lend me his
affiftance, in fecuring to himfelf and countrymen fo important abenefit-..
This he certainly perceived, but poffeffing no defire to oblige, nor any
patriotic zeal, he was only ftudious to turn my intreaties to his own particular
advantage. After Kahowmoioo had anxioufly interfered, but with
the fame fuccefe, I offered Crymamahoo (well knowing that avarice is a predominant
paffion with many of thefe iflanders). a moderate recompence
pnly, for allowing his canoe to perform this fervice. He inftantly waved
all his former objeftions, and the bull and cow were foon comfortably
placed in his canoe, in which there were fome vegetables that the bull
ate, feemingly with much appetite; this gave me great pleafure, as I
was now in hopes that he would foon recover by the help of proper F *793;
nourlfhing; food, which the fhore abundantly fupplied. <-----— >
The next morning We .had again increafed our diftancè from Owhy- Wednef. =o.
bee ; but towards noon, with a light breeze from the fouth-weftward,
we made all fail for the ifland. As we approached we were met by lèverai
large, and fmall canoes, laden with the feveral productions of the
country, which were exchanged by the natives 'in the moft honeft and
civil manner, for our various articles of traffic ; among!! thefe, red and
blue woollen cloths, with printed linens, feemed the commodities in the
higheffi èftimation. Beads and other trinkets were accepted as prefents,
but were confidered as unworthy any return.
Among!! our ndmerous vifitors was Tamaahmaah’s eldeft fon, and
prelum])!ive heir to the fovercignty of Owhyhee. He was a- boy about
nine years of age ; poffeffing a fhrewd arid lively appearance.
In return for the prefents I had made him, he prefentéd me on leaving
the {hip with three or four hogs, and promifed me a. further fupply
in the morning.
By this time we had nearly reachèd Tyahtatooa. Mr. Whidbey was
difpatchéd in the cutter to examine the anchorage, as in the event of its
being’.found fuperior to that o f KarakaKooa, I purpofed giving Tyahtatooa
the preference for the tranfafting of all our material bufinefs before
we proceeded to the other place, where in cafe of any difagreement
with the inhabitants, we might be much inconvenienced by the cannon,
of which they were faid to be poffelfed.
A calm fucceeded the ■ riling of the fun. This continuing until ten Thuitfajrai.
in the forenoon, we were again driven a confidérable diftance from the
land; but a s.w. breeze thenfpringing up, enabled us to fteer towards
Tyahtatooa.
About noon I was honored with the prefence of Tamaahmaah, the
king of Owhyhee, whofe approach had been announced fome time before
his arrival.
Not only from Captain King’s defcription, but alfo from my own memory,
as far as it would ferve me, I expended to have recognized my former ac-
Vol. II. R quaintance