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I
a n
ACCOUNT
OF THE
PELEW ISLANDS,
situated in the
WESTERN PART OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
composed from
the journals and communication
0 F
captain henry wilson,
AND SOME OF HIS OFFICERS, WHO, IN AUGUST 1783, WERE THERE SHIPWRECKED,
1 N
THE ANTELOPE,
A PACKET BELONGING TO THE HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY,
B Y
GEORGE KEATE, Efg. F.R.S. and S.sJ.
LONDON:
printed for c, nicol, bookseller to his majesty, taln-mall.
m.dcclxxxyiii.
T O
the chairman, deputy chairman,
and
directors
0 F
THE HONOURABLE
EAST INDIA COMPANY,
THIS ACCOUNT OF THE PELEW ISLANDS,
1 S,
BY THEIR PERMISSION, AND AT THE PARTICULAR DESIRE OF CAPTAIN WILSON,
RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,
BY THEIR MOST OBEDIENT,
HUMBLE SERVANT,
london, june 12th, i788.
GEORGE K E ATE.
INTRODUCTION.
x prefent Majefty, than the liberality with which he hath encouraged the ardour of nautical difcovery.— Although, the voyages of other European nations have greatly increafed our knowledge of the globe, yet as thefe were generally undertaken (fome late voyages of the French excepted) from views either of ambition or of avarice, the improvement of fcience, and of geography, was but a feconda-ry confideration ;—it is not, therefore, to be wondered that the fubject ftill remained imperfect, overclouded by doubt and uncertainty.—To dillipate thefe clouds, to remove ex-ifting.errors, and to render what was dubious demonstrably clear, became highly interefting to almoft every nation ; and Europe, with eyes of admiration, beheld this important ob* ject not only undertaken, but to a furprizing degree exe-> cuted, by the fpirit and abilities of Great Britain.
The exploring untraverfed oceans, in fpite of every danger that could menace, or difmay — the difcovering
more diflinguifhed the reign of his
7
multitudes
multitudes of i(lands, and of people, whofe exiftence was not known before—and the fame of fixing the geography of the Southern World, were the noble fruits of this bold and hazardous enterprize ; which will remain to fuccecding ages a monument of the zeal and patronage of George the Third.
Under fuch aufpices, and under fuch navigators as this bufinefs was confided to, .with each fuperadded afliftance in the various fcicnces, what was there not to be hoped ?— And it certainly, in no fmall degree, added to the fpirit of the undertaking, that fuch an unexampled character as Mr. (now Sir Joseph) Banks voluntarily'accompanied Captain Cook.—As long as the hiftory of that time fhall exift, it will ftamp the higheft honour on his name, to have, in the prime of youth, facrificed the blandishments of a noble fortune, to his ardour for information and fcience, without ihrinking at the perils he might encounter from untried feas, and coafts that had never been explored. — And it equally reflects the higheft credit on his difcerning country; who, emulous to acknowledge the debt fhe owed his merit, feized the earlieft opportunity, after his return, to make him President of the Royal Society; a Situation the moll honourable and diftinguifhed fhe could offer a per-fon of his genius and purfuits ; where ftill, with the fame ardour, he promotes her Fame, the zealous and liberal Patron of learning and of fcience.
The
The relations of thefe feveral voyages having excited a great fpirit of enquiry, and awakened an eager curiofity to every thing that can elucidate the hiftory of mankind, I flatter myfelf, that no apology is necefTary for my bringing forward the following Work, whole Novelty and Authenticity will, 1 truft, infttfe it a favourable reception.
The iilands which I am about to defcribe were not discovered in confequence of any premeditated delign ; the India packet, which Captain Wilson commanded, being in a tempeft wrecked on their coaft; and it is folely to the benevolent character of their inhabitants, we owe the fafe return of our countrymen, that compofed the crew of the Antelope;—by the means of whom I am enabled to lay before the Public an account of this lingular people.
Nothing can be more interefting to Man than the hiftory of Man. The navigators of the different ages have pictured to us our own fpecies in a variety of lights.—The manners ©f civilized nations bear a ftrong refemblance to each other; it is the vices or virtues of individuals, that create any general diftincr.ion;—whereas in countries, which fcience, or the gentler arts, have never reached, we obferve a wonderful difparity; fome are found under that darknefs and ablblute barbarifm, from the fight of which humanity gladly turns afide ; —whilft others, unaided, unafhfted, but by mere natural good fenfe, have not only emerged from this gloomy made, but nearly attained that order, propriety,
and
and good conduct, which conftitute the effence of real civilization.—It is by very How degrees, and through long periods of intervening ages, that nations, now the moft po-liihed, have arrived at their prefent ftate.—The mind of in-quifitive man, too eager after knowledge which his limited faculties can never reach, often idly afks—Wherefore all thefe varied gradations in human exijlence? But his queftion will remain for ever unanfwered, and he mull content himfelf with being fatisucd that the ways of Providence are conducted with unerring wifdom, to anfwer purpofes beyond mortal comprehenfion.—He will be far more wifely employed in feeling, with becoming gratitude, that he was not deftin-ed himfelf to be an inhabitant of Terra del Fuego, or to add one to the number of the forlorn ravages of the Northern Pole.
There is one queftion, indeed, and a very important one, which poflibly may, at fome future period, be fuccefsfully inveftigated;—how all the numerous iflands, lately difco-vcred, as well as the multitude of others, that are Scattered through various parts of the vaft ocean, were originally peopled ?—This Subject, which opens a wide field for conjecture to range over, hath already exercifed the abilities of the ingenious—and, if ever fatisfactorily afcertained, cannot fail to throw many interefting lights on the hiftory of mankind.
The prefent account of the Pelew Iflands, I have already
obferved,
obferved, was offered to the Public under the double claim of Novelty and Authenticity. It is therefore incumbent, on me to mention on what ground thefe claims are fupported..
The iflands in queftion were probably firfl noticed by fome of the Spaniards of the Phillipines, and by them named the Palos Islands; the tall palm-trees, which grow there in great abundance, having at a distance the appearance of mails of fhips —That this was the origin of their name is rendered ftill more probable, as the Spaniards gave the fame appellation to all the numerous iflands of this Archipelago, the far greater part of which are now known by the name of the New Carolines.
In the Lettres Edi/ientes et Curieufes, written by the Jefuit Miffionaries, may be found feveral letters, which, from their titles, feem to have a reference to, and which might be thought to relate to the clufter of iflands which are the Subject, of the prefent Work ; but whoever perufes them, with attention, will inftantly fee that they relate folcly to the New Carolines, which were difcovered about the year 1696, as may be feen by the letter of Father Paul Clain, dated from Manilla, 10th of June lGgy t.—But even the accounts given by him of the New Carolines, were not in conie-quence of any Spaniards having been there, but merely fuch as he had received from fome of their inhabitants, who, venturing too far to fea, had been driven by a Storm to one of the
* Palos, in the Spanijh language, nautically applied, denoting a maft. f Lettres Edifientes et Curicufes, vol. i. page 112.
a Phil-
INTRODUCTION,
Phillip ines. In confcquencc of this knowledge of the New Carolines, a fhip, called the Holy Trinity, was, in ifia% fitted out at Manilla, by order of Philip V. to carry two Mifhonaries, lcs Peres Dubeuon and Cortil, thither; who arriving off Sonsorol, one of the Carolines, the two Missionaries would go on fhore in the chaloupe, to fix the Crofs, againil the opinion of Don Padilla, the Captain, who, as he could find no anchorage, diffuaded them Strongly from the attempt.—As the veffel then, after cruizing about for fevcral days, to wait their return, could not, on account of the winds and currents, remain any longer on the Station, the reverend Fathers were never heard of more. Another veffel wras fent from the fame place, fome time after, to further the minion, which it was fuppofed the two former Jcfuits had begun ; but it foundered at fea, and all on board perifhed +, except one Indian, who at laft got back to Manilla with the melancholy news.
In 1721, another boat, belonging to one of the Carolines, with twenty-four people in it, was driven by force of winds co Guaiian, one of the Mariannes '];, as appears by the letter of Pere Jean Antoine Cantova, dated Agadna, in March 1722.—Thefe Strangers being detained a considerable time, Le Pere Cantova tells us, that he endeavoured to acquire fome knowledge of their language, that he might the better inform himfelf of their country.
* Lettres Edifientes et Curieufesy vol. xi. pp.ge 75. f D°, vol. xvi. page 368.
\ D°s vol. xviil. ra^e 188.
i In
I NTRODUGTIO N.
In this letter, which contains fuller information than any of the others, he tells us, he understood from the natives that this Archipelago was divided into five provinces ; and that the Pelew Islands constituted the fifth province, or divifion; but thefe Strangers, who gave him this intelligence, faid, they had no communication with the people of this province, adding, that they were inhuman and favage; that both men and women were entirely naked, and fed upon human fie/fr; that the inhabitants of the Carolines looked on them with horror, as the enemies of mankind, and with whom they held it dangerous to have any intercourfe.
This is the only mention I find of the Pelew people, and a dreadful picture it is of barbarous life ; but the natives of the Carolines evidently knew nothing of them, but that they existed at a considerable distance from them-felvcs ; and probably the notion which they entertained, of their being cannibals, prevented their ever having any communication with them *.
To Four-fifths of thefe iflands, which accident had now brought the Spaniards acquainted with, they foon gave
* Le Pere C.ontova fays, that tills account is conformable to the relation of Father Beknard Messia (probably another Miffionary); but where this relation is to be found, i know not, having in vain fcarched for it. I therefore fuppofe it has not been publifhed, though poflibly may be preferved among the manufcript records of the Propaganda at Rome.—Wherever it be, it could only be collected from fuch vague evidence as Contova's ; who was himfelf, a fliort time after, killed by the people of the Carolines.
a 2 the
the name of the New Carolines ; but as the Miftionaries, who had unquestionably been well informed of the poverty and nakednefs of them, apprehended that they were never likely to become an object worthy of the attention of the Spanijh monarchy, they were therefore, nearly from this period, neglected ; and even to this day little more is known of them, than that they occupy a certain fpacc on the furface of the globe.—But the Fifth divifion of them, far distant from the reft, and inhabited by people who were branded with the imputation of being inhuman, favage, and enemies of mankind, were, in confcqucnce, never Since enquired after; and, though laid down in fome late charts, under their original Spanijh appellation of the Palos iflands, have continued till now in total obfeurity.—They have, it is true, been feen, at different times, by fliips making the Eajlcrn paflage to and from China againft the monfoons; yet no one appears to have ever landed there, or to have had any intercourse with the inhabitants; nor have they lain in the track of any of the circumnavigators; Captain Carteret, in his courfe, approached them the nearest.
From the above observations, and the great aftonifh-ment which the natives of Pelew difcovered on feeing white people, it feems beyond a doubt that the crew of the Antelope were the rirft Europeans who had ever landed on thefe iflands; and it feems equally certain, that their nearest neighbours in the adjoining Archipelago knew nothing of them.—I therefore feci fome Satisfaction in being the instrument
merit of introducing to the world a new people;—and a far greater one, in having the means in my power, of vindicating their injured characters from the imputation of thofe favage manners which ignorance alone had afcribed to them ; for I am confident that every Reader, when he has gone through the prefent account of them with attention, will be convinced that thefe unknown natives of Pelew, fo far from difgracing, live an ornament to human nature.
The part I have taken in this Work originated from my knowledge of Captain Wilson's veracity, and from my being highly intereftcd with the account he gave of the inhabitants of thefe illands, which was fo happily illuftrated by the good fenfe and amiable manners of the young Prince Lee Boo, whom, at the King his father's requeir, he had brought with him to England.
I frequently mentioned to my valuable friend, Mr, Brook Watson, (through whom I had firft been acquainted with Captain Wilson) that I thought the whole chain of events, following tl e lofs of the Antelope, well merited the public eye, wifhing him to fubmit the matter to his friend's consideration;—but, after three quarters of a year, I perceived that the Captain's own affairs, his natural diffidence, and probably bis inexperience in preparing properly fuch a work, rendered him'little difpofed to the undertaking —and, as he was then preparing to go out again to India, the account was in danger of being totally loft.
Struck as I was with the relation of the virtues and cha-4 rafter
INTRODUCTION,
racier of the natives of thefe iilands — fenfible how foon oral testimony is beyond recovery, and the records of memory effaced by the events or cafualties of life—I felt anxious to refcue thefe difcoveries from Hiding into oblivion, and to prefcrve them to the curiofity and information of the Public; I therefore engaged a volunteer in the bulinefs, propofing to Mr. Watson, that if his friend Captain Wilson would give me his journals and papers, and procure me all the living testimonies then in England, that I would myfelf undertake the work;—on this condition, that the labour mould be mine, the advantage Captain Wilson's.
After I had, with great attention, gone over all the journals and papers, and tranferibed them, the better to fix them in my memory, and to direct my future enquiries, I had the benefit of a reference, both to Captain Wilson and his fon, during their flay in England, for what further or fuller information I required; and, after the Captain's departure, I had alfo, in the beginning of 1786, whilst the facts were recent, the aSTiStance and information of fuch of his officers as remained in this country; who, for many weeks, were fo good as to devote themfelves, as it individually fuited them, to this bufinefs. The transactions of every day, as recorded in the journals, were minutely gone through; and it was a great pleafure to me, in taking their feparate relations, to find no material difference in their accounts of the facts or occurrences, but, on the contrary, the moSt perfect agreement. Thus, enlarged by the additions of the
Gentlemen
Gentlemen (who were themfelves in fome fcenes the folc actors) the Work, for a year and a half, lay dormant, waiting Captain Wilson's return from Bengal, who arrived the latter end of laft fummer: Since that time every part of it hath been revifed, and gone over, with the mo ft Scrupulous exactnefs and attention; and I am myfelf firmly pcrfuaded, no work of this nature was ever prefented to the Public, in every refpect better authenticated*
I fhould not have thought it neceffary to have mentioned the manner in which I have conducted this publication, had I not been aware of there being Scenes and Situations in it which might ftartle many of my readers ; but, as the truth of them can be fully cftablifhed, they will Serve to prove that good fenfe, and moral rectitude, may exiSt in many uncivilized regions, where the prejudices and arrogance of ponihed life are not always difpofed to admit them.
Thofe who are acquainted with the voyages to the South Seas, muft have remarked a great Similitude in the manners of the iflands Scattered over that immcnfe ocean ; at the fame time it cannot have efcaped their notice, that there are cuftoms and characters peculiar to almoft every particular group.—The Same observation is applicable to the inhabitants of the Pelew Islands; who,, tho' in many refpects refembling their Southern neighbours, muft be allowed to, have many characteriftical features of their own—which an intelligent reader will eafily difcover*.
As:
As there was a dr aught fm an on board the Antelope, beiides two or three young men acquainted with drawing, a faithful portrait of the King of Pelew, and one of his. wives, together with fome picturefque views of the country, were by their means obtained.—Captain Wilson was pre-fented, before he left the iflands, with many of their weapons and utenfils, from which the plates contained in this Work have been accurately engraved.—And I am happy to have it in my power to add to thefe the portrait of Prince Lee Roo, drawn by my Daughter, and which, though done from memory, fifteen months after his death, is acknowledged to be a very Striking likcnefs by every one wrho knew him.
To the late difcoveries, which have fo greatly increafed our knowledge of the globe, and of the human race, if the little clutter of iflands I am now unveiling to the world (which may truly be regarded as a rich jewel, fparkling on the bofom of the ocean) mail be deemed by the Public an interefting acquifition, Captain Wilson will not have been lhipwrecked in vain; and I mail ever think that the time I have bettowed on this Work hath been ufefully employed.
CONTENTS.
CONTENTS.
G II A P T E R I.
of the Ship's Company.—Route and TranfaBions prior to the Lofs of the Veffel. - -. Page I
CHAPTER II.
Lofs of the Antelope, and the immediate Dijircffes arijing from the Accident. - - - 10
CHAPTER III.
Firji Appearance of the Natives.—'fhe curious and friendly Interview between them and tfye J£nglifh« — Captain Wilson's Brother fent to the King of Pelew, the King's Brother remaining with our People. - -22
b G H A P T E R
CHAPTER IV.
fhe Pinnace goes to the Ship, and finds it had been vifited by fome of the Natives.—fhe Behaviour of Raa Kook, the King's Brother, on being informed of it.—fhe friendly Con-duel of this Chief whilfl he remained alone with the Englifli. —A Council held, and all the Cafks of Liquor remaining in the Antelope ordered to beflaved. - Page 33
CHAPTER V.
Arra Kooker, the King's Brother, returns from Pelew, and is foon after followed by Mr. Matthias Wilson, who gives a very favourable Account of the Manner in which he had been received. — Regulations made by the Englifli for eftablijhing a Nightly Guard.—fhe General and Arra Kooker informed of it.— fhey approve the Scheme, which is immediately put in Execution. — Some Character of Arra Kooker. - - - - 41
CHAPTER VI.
fhe King of Pelew pays his firji Vifit to the Englifli.—His Arrival defcribed, and the Ceremony with which he is received', after which he is conduced by bis two Brothers and
Captain
Captain Wilson round the Spot whereon they had erecled their temporary Habitation, andJbewn whatever might engage his Curiojity.—After feveral Hours Stay he departs, pleafed with his Reception, and takes his Retinue with him to the back Part of the Ifland. - Page 53
CHAPTER VII.
A Coolnefs arifes on the Part of the Natives, which much alarms the English.—This cleared up, and Friendjhip re~ flored.—The King requefts Five of Captain WilsonV Men to attend him to a War he was going to make againji a neighbouring Ifland.— This is ajjented to, and he departs with the Men.—The Englifli plan their intended Veffel, form a Dock Yard, unanimoufly choofe Captain Wilson te be their Commander, and each engages in the Department he is nominated to, in order to qffifl the ConJlruc~lion of their future Vefjel.—The Firjl Sunday after, the Shipwreck duly commemorated. - - - - 69
C II A P T E R VIII.
Our People continue almofi even Day to fend to the Wreck, and recover a great Variety of Stores.—They form a Barricade round the Tents, — complete it, — and continue their
b 2 Work
Work with the utmofi. Affiduily in the Dock Yard, and in advancing the Veffel. - - - - Page 81
CHAPTER IX.
The Five Men, with the Interpreter, who went with the King on his Expedition, return fafe, accompanied Raa Kook. —The Account of the Succefs of that Expedition.—Raa Kook, in the King's Name, gives the If and oj Oroolong to the Englifli.—Captain Wilson invited bv the King to Pelew;—excufes himfelf for the prefent, but fends Mr. Benger, and Mr. M. Wilson, his Brother, with the Lin-gu.fi, to compliment Abba Thulle on his late Victory.— Captain Wilson goes in his Boat round the I/land.—The Veffel continues to get advanced. — Benger and
Wiuson return from Pelew. - - 86-
CHAPTER X.
A Pajdge is difcovered through the Coral Reef, fufficient to carry out the VeJJel when completed. — Captain Wilson, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Devis, and Mr. Henry Wilson, go to Pelew to viftt the King.—An Account of the Ilofpitality with which they were received.—Some Defeription of the Maimers of the Natives, and their Mode of Living.—Mr. Sharp is
requejicd
requefted to go into the Country to fee a fick Child of one of the Unpacks, which he does, and returns to Pelew. Page 98
CHAPTER XL
Further Account of the Natives ofPelew*.—A Council of State is held, at the Breaking up of which the King rcquefs of Captain Wilson ten Men to go with him on a fecond Expedition againft the fame Enemy—which is agreed to.—Defer ip-tion of the Dance of the Warriors,—Our People return to Oroolong, find their Countrymen well, and in great Unanimity advancing the Veffel.—The ten Men felet led who were to attend the King to Battle. - - . - 114
C H APTE R XII.
The King comes to Oroolong.—Is muchflruck with the Appearance of the VeJJel, which he had not Jeen before.—Is (hewn the Barricade and the Six-pounder; which is afterwards, at his Defire, fired off.—Views the different Artificers employed in the Dock Yard.—The ImpreJJion all thefe new Sights make on him.—After paffmg feveral Hours with our People, he goes to the Back of the IJland.—The King returns next Day—wi/hes to take a Swivel Gun on the Expedition.—This objetled to.—He departs for Pelew, carrying with him the ten Men allotted for the War. - - 122
C II A PT E R
CHAPTER XIII.
tfanfa&ions at Oroolong.—The ten Men return from the War.—A particular Account of the Second Battle of Ar-tingall.—Progrefs of the new FeJJel, &c. - Page 13$
CHAPTER XIV.
Progrefs of the Veffel, and other Occurrences.— Raa Kook comes from Pelew to folicit more Men, and a Swivel Gun, to attend the King on a grand Expedition.—After fome Explanation between Captain Wilson and the General, the Requejl is granted, and the allotted Men return with Raa Kook.—Air. Sharp goes fome Days after to Pelew, to fee the General's Son, who had been wounded in the fecond Battle. —Arrives jufl after his Countrymen had returned from the grand Expedition, in which this young Man, whom he went to vifit, had been killed.—Attends Raa Kook to his Son's Funeral, of which an Account is given. - - 146
CHAPTER XV.
The Men who had been on the third Expedition to Artingall return—an Account of it given.—Captain Wilson invited by the King to vijit the Rupacks, who had attended as Allies
in
in the loft Battle.—Accompanies the King and Lis Brother to fome IJiands to the Northward, where there was much Fejii-vityon the Occafion.—Is received with great Hofpitalify, and after Five Days Abfence returns to Oroolong. Page 167
C II APT ER XVI.
Proceedings at Oroolong. — The General remains with the Englifli. — Intelligence is brought to him that the People of Artingall were come to fue for Peace.—The King arrives the next Day, and for the firjl Time brings one of his Wives, his favourite Daughter, and feveral of their F£male Attendants.—He continues at the Back of the If and three or four Days, during which Time the General, who went with him, was much indifpofed.—Mr. Sharp vijits him, and relieves his Complaint. — The King, with Raa Kook, and his Retinue, return to Pelew.—He fends the Englifli fome Colours to paint their FeJJel.—Mr. Sharp goes to Pelew to enquire after Raa KookV Health, whom he finds getting well. - - - 18.3
CHAPTER XVII.
The King comes for the ten Men who were to go with him againft Pelelew.—A great Storm at Oroolong.— Intelligence arrives that the Expedition to Pelelew had 8 ended
ended peaceably.—The Englifli return, and give an Account of the Manner of its Progrefs and Termination.—Rejoicings on the Occajion at Pelew.—The King notifies an intended Vifit to the Englifli before their Departure. - Page 199
CHAP T E R XVIII.
Preparations made for the Completion of the Veffel, and fccur-ing her being fafely launched.—Great Sufpicions entertained on the King's MeJJdge, which Captain Wilson endeavour > to quiet.—Steps taken by our People to make Refiflance, in cafe their Departure fhould be impeded.—The Captain fends Mr. Sharp and Mr. M. Wilson to Pelew, with all the Tools and Iron they could fpare, with Af/urances of the ref, as foon as the Veffel was launched; and to notify to the King that he purpofed to fail infix or j even Days.—They meet the King and his Retinue on their JVay to Oroolong.—Go back with him to the 1/land of Pethoull, zvhere they pafs the Night.—Abba Thulle receives the Prefents gra-cioufiy*—A great Supper of the King's deferibed.— They all conie next Day to Oroolong.—Mad an Blanch ard forms Captain Wilson of a Refolution he had taken to remain behind with the Natives;—after Arguments ufed in vain to difuade him, he is propofed to the King to be left at Pelew, who, pl&afed zv/th the Circumfance, takes him wider his Protection. - - - - 212
CHAPTER
CONTENTS.
xxv
CHAPTER XIX.
The VeJJel fuccefsfully launched.—The great Satisfaction ex-prejjed by the Natives on the Occajion.—Our People give the King the Remainder of the Tools.—Captain Wilson fent for by the King to the Watering-place, who propofes to make him a Rupack of the firjl Rank.—Invejls him with the highejl Order of the Bone.—ADefcription of the Ceremony. Page 231
CHAPTER XX.
The good Conduct of the Natives, not to dijlurb or impede the Operations of our People.—The King ift forms Captain wilson 0/ bis Intention to fend bis fecond Son, Lee Boo, under bis Care, to England.—Raa Kook having alfo folicited Abba Thulle's Permijfion to accompany the Englifli, is refufed by bis Brother, on very prudential Motives.—A fin-gular Occurrence refpeeling one of the King's Nephews.— The Time of the VejfePs Departure noticed—and, preparatory to it, an Infcrtption, cut on a Plate of Copperis fixed to a large Tree^ to record the Lofs of the Antelope. - 238
c
CHAPTER
CHAPTER XXI.
Lee Boo arrives, and is introduced to Captain Wi lson ; who, at the King's Defire, remains all Night on Shore.—The interefting Manner in which he delivers his Son to his Care.—: The Captain gives Blanchard Advice how to condutJ himfelf.—In the Morning Signals for failing reared.—A Boat fent tobring the Captain onboard.—The King and his Brothers, accompany them to the Reef.—Multitudes of the Natives, in their Canoes, fur round the Veffel to tejlify their Regard.— The King takes an affe&ionate Leave of the Englifli.—Character of Abba Thulle.—Raa Kook croffes the Reef, and goes a good Way to Sea before he quits them. —His Character.—The Englifli proceed on their Voyage to China, - - Page 252
CHAPTER XXII.
The Englifli, in the Oroolong, quit the Pelew Iflands.,—An Account of their Paffage from thence to Macoa.—Their Arrival there.—They difpofe of their Veffel, and proceed to Canton, where they embark for England. - 267
CHAPTER
CONTENTS,
xxvii
CHAPTER XXIII.
General Idea of the Iflands.—Of the King.—Of the General. —Of the Chief Minijler.—Of the Rupacks.—Of the Nature of Property at Pelew■, - - Page 288
CHAPTER XXIV.
Of the Produce of Pelew, and of the Way of Life of the Natives. - - - - 298
CHAPTER XXV.
Of their Houfes.—Their domejlic Implements.—Their Weapons of War.—Their Canoes. - - - 308
CHAPTER XXVI.
Of the People and their Cujloms.— Of their Marriages.—Of their Funerals.—Of their Religion.—General Character of the Natives. - - - - - 318
CHAPTER XXVII.
Anecdotes of Lee Boo, fecond Son of Abba Thulle, from the Time of leaving Canton to his Death. - - 339
DIREC-
DIRECTIONS to the BINDER.
PORTRAIT of the Captain, to front the Title-page.
The Chart to front the Introduction, and to come out with a guard.
Abba Thulle. - - - to front page 55
View of the Caufeway and Landing-place. - - 101
Plate, N° 1, Ornaments. - 102
View of the Town of Pelew and Place of Council. - 105
View of the Cove and Tents. - - - - 127
Plate, N° 2, Ornaments. - 174
Plate, N° 3, Ornaments. - - - * - 176
Ludee, one of the Wives of Abba Thulle - - 187
Plate 4, Ornaments. - 222
Plan of Englishmen's Harbour. - 233
Views of the Land. - - 288
Plate, N° 5, Ornaments. - • - 310
Plate, N°6, Ornaments. - - - - 313
Plate, N° 7, Ornaments. - * - 332
Prince Lee Boo. - * 339
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ACCOUNT
PELEW ISLANDS.
Departure of the Antelope from Macoa.—Lift of the Ships Company.—Route and TranfaSlions prior to the Lofs
of the Veffel
rp HE Antelope, a packet of near 300 tons burthen,
I in the fervice of the Honourable English East India Company, under the command of Captain Henry Wilson, having arrived at M a c o a in the month of June 1783, the Captain received orders from the Company's fupra-cargoes to refit his fliip with all poflible fpeed; which being compleated, on Sunday the 20th of July, about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, he received his difpatches, and the fliip being ready for fea, he took leave of the Council; and about half pan: three o'clock went on board, accompanied by MefTrs. Brown, Lane, Bruce, and Peach, as alfo Mr. Morgan, furgeon ; and after the Captain had paid the
JUNE.
july.
OF THE
CHAPTER
B
fixteen
fixteen Chinefe men (with which they had been allowed to augment their ihip's company) the advance-money ufual on thefe occafions, they weighed anchor, and their friends went on more, whom they faluted at going away with nine guns. The weather becoming unfettled and hazy, at nine o'clock in the evening they anchored in 7 fathom water. And as in the courfe of this narrative we fhall find the ihip's company at times collectively and feparately engaged, it will not be improper in the outfet to mention the names of the Europeans who were in the Antelope, with their particular diftinction and fituation on board.
Names. Stations.
Henry Wilson - - - - Commander. Philip Benger * * - - Chief Mate, rETER Barker - - - Second Mate. John Cummin - - - - Third Mate. John Sharp ----- Surgeon. Arthur William Devis - Paflenger. John Blanch ----- Gunner. William Harvey - - - Boatfwain. John Pol king horn - - - Carpenter.
John Me ale ----- Cooper and Steward.
Richard Jenkins - - - Carpenter's Mate.
James Swift ----- Cook.
Richard Sharp - - - - Midmipman.
HtfNRY Wilson, Junior - - Ditto, fon to the Captain.
* The names thus marked, are the only men at this time known with certainty to
be dead, _
John
THE PEL
Names.
John Wedgebrough Robert White - - -
Albert Pierson - - -
Godfry Minks *
Thomas Dulton -
John Cooper - - - -
William Roberts - -
James Duncan - * -
Matthias Wilson - -
Nicholas Tyacke - -
James Bluitt - -Thomas Willson * -
William Stewart - -
Madam Blanchard -Thomas Whitfield -William Cobbledick ■ Zachariah Allen - ■ Thomas Castles -Dedrick. Windler - ■
EW ISLANDS.
Stations.
"Two youths from ChrifVs Ho-fpital, apprentices, and acting as midfhipmen.
- Quarter Matter.
- Ditto.
- Captain's Steward.
- Seaman.
- Ditto.
- Ditto.
- Ditto, brother to the Captain.
- Ditto.
- Ditto.
- Ditto.
- Ditto.
- Ditto.
- Ditto. • Ditto.
- Ditto.
- Ditto.
- Ditto.
1783.
JULT.
Thomas Rose
JLinguiic, a native of Bengal, I calling himfelf a Portuguefe.
At five o'clock in the morning they again weighed an- Monday at; chor, and fet fail, having a fine breeze from the E. N. E. and between fix and feven o'clock their pilot left them.
B 2 About
J783.
july.
Tucfday 22.
Wednefday *3-
About nine o'clock, being got to fome diftance from the land, they met with a very high fea, which obliged them to lay to, in order to fccure their cattle, and other live flock, as alfo their anchors, cables, and harbour-rigging. About eleven o'clock they made fail again, and by a very good obfervation, at noon, were in latitude 21° 28' north; at the fame time could juft fee the land bearing north, at the diftance of about eleven leagues, as near as they could judge, the weather being rather hazy. In the afternoon the lafh-ings of the booms broke, and they fell to leeward, which obliged them to keep the fliip before the wind until they were replaced and fecured, which having done, they re-fumed their courfe. In the evening, they obferving it to lighten very ftrongly from the fouthward, they clofe reefed their top-fails, expecting it to blow from that quarter.
Next day the weather continued moderate but cloudy; and they had a great fea from the eaftward, which made the fhip labour, fo as to oblige them to pump every two hours. The boatfwain and carpenter were both taken ill in the night with a cold and a flight fever. In the afternoon a fail was feen to the S. E. which they took to be a Portuguese veffel bound to Macoa. The wind veered round to the fouthward this day ; no obfervation of latitude.
The wind fouthcrly, with cloudy weather and fome light fqualls and rain. They noticed this forenoon feveral rip-plings in the water, as if in a tide or current; the fea was
fomewhat
fomewhat fallen, and the fliip made lefs water. No obfer- 1783.
vation of latitude this day, the fun being in their zenith.
The weather was very fqually, with rain and a great fwell, Thurfday
24*
The boatfwain and carpenter were much recovered, fo as to be able to go about their duty, in fecuring the ports and preparing the fhip for bad weather. By an indifferent obfervation at noon, they found themfelves in latitude 190 29/ north.
The weather continued very dark and cloudy, with Friday 2^. thunder, lightning, and hard rain, fo that the fliip was in a manner deluged, and every one wet and uncomfortable. About three o'clock in the afternoon they faw the appearance of land from the deck, being the Bashee Iflands, bearing from S. E. to E. N. E. At fix o'clock the northermoft lfland bore N. E. by E. At night the weather being but indifferent and hazy, fo that they could not keep fight of the land, they fhortened fail and lay to till the morning.
When at day-break they again faw the land to leeward of Saturday 26. them, being the fame they had fecn the night before ; from this circumftance they concluded there was no current ; and as foon as the light opened a little more upon them, they made fail and bore away before the wind, to go round the northermoft iiland, which they did at about four or five miles diftance. The weather being hazy when they firft faw the land, they had but a very imperfect view of the iflands. The firft appeared to be long and tolerably
even*
1783. even. The fecond was likewife long, of a pretty equal height, except in two or three places, where it feemed to life into hills : near the middle of it was one very remarkable, from its being in lhape like a China or Tartar woman's hat. The third iiland fhewed like two rugged-topped mountains, joined together by low land. The fourth was a high, large, double-peaked rock, appearing to have little foil or wood upon it. The fifth was very high and uneven, devoid of wood, except a few green bufties towards its fummit. There were no figns of inhabitants upon any of thefe iflands, and the weather being fqually, our people foon loft fight of them ; at noon they were in latitude 210 14' north, by obfervation, when, having run about fifteen leagues to the eaftward of the iflands, they hauled up more to the fouthward, in hopes to get into fmoother water, and better weather than they had hitherto met with fince leaving Macoa. Soon after noon, the man at the maft-head difcovered the foretop-maft to be fprung; they immediately took in the fails, and got down the topgallant-maft, and prepared to get down the top-maft, but were obliged to defift on account of the weather, until
Sunday 27. the morning, when it proving fair, with tolerable fmooth water, all hands went bufily to work to get up a new foretop-maft, and to dry and air the fliip, as alfo to fecure what cattle and ftock remained, much having perifhed in the
Monday 28. rains and bad weather. The next morning alfo being fine
and
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 7 and fair; this opportunity was embraced to open the ports, 1783.
JULY.
and wafli and cleanfe the fliip below, as well as to overhaul
and clean their fmall arms, and give the officers inftrudtions
for the voyage. In the evening there was very hard rain,
with variable winds.
But the fucceeding day, the wind being favourable, gave xucfdayag.
them an opportunity of examining and drying fome of their
provifion, particularly fome Chinefe hams and dry fifli, which
conflituted part of their victualling, and had got damp in the
excefhve rains. They faw a great quantity of nfh fwimming
about the fliip, but could not catch any, as they would not
take the baits. No rains during the laft twenty-four hours,
but the next morning the weather became overcaft and they Wednefday
30.
were again vifited with rain in the evening, which continued
very hard all night and the fucceeding day, with variable Thurfday
3*-
winds, fo that they made very little progrefs on their
august.
voyage. The next morning was more moderate, and to- Friday 1. wards noon the weather cleared up and they got an obfervation, by which they found their latitude was 160 25' north. In the afternoon it fell calm, which gave them the means of trying the current, which they found to fet to the E. N. E. at the rate of half a mile an hour. In the evening Captain Wilson exercifed fome of the Chinefe men with rowing in the jolly-boat for an hour or two, to teach them to ufe an oar when needful. The following day being fair, and the Saturday 2. wind moderate, all were again employed in clearing and 1 cleaning
1783.
august.
Sunday 3.
Monday 4. Tuefday 5.
Wednefday 6.
Thurfday 7,
Friday 8.
cleaning the fliip and fetting up the rigging. In the afternoon they had an obfervation for the longitude, by the diftance of the fun and moon, by which they found themfelves in 126 degrees and a half eaft of Greenwich. The following morning being alfo fair, divine fervice was performed upon deck; a ceremony never omitted on Sundays when the weather would allow of it. In the afternoon they got another obfervation for the longitude, which confirmed that taken the preceding day. At night they met with freih gales of wind, fqually weather, and much rain, which continued moll part of the next day; towards the evening of which they faw numbers of birds and fifli, likewife fome drifts of pieces of wood or bamboo, they therefore altered their courfe more to the fouthward, and went under an eafy fail, keeping a good look out, until morning, when it being very tempefluous they brought to, and handed their topfails, which before had been clofe reeft. The weather continuing to blow a ftorm, they could fhow but very little fail, being obliged to lay to under the ftorm ftay-fails, which continued till near noon on the 7th ; the ftorm then abating, and the weather clearing up, they got an obfervation for the latitude, by which they found themfelves in iq° 16' north. The afternoon the wind was foutherly, with frefli gales, but dry, fo that they were able the following morning to clean between decks, and alfo to fumigate the fhip with gunpowder. The cattle had all perifhed in the laft ftorm, except
one
THE PELEW ISLANDS. < one bullock; the fTie-goat alfo, having kidded in this bad i783-
° AUGUST
weather, died together with her young. In the afternoon
the weather became more moderate, fo that they were able
to make fail and to proceed on their voyage; and the next
day the weather was fo fine they were enabled to open Saturday 9.
their ports to air and dry the Ihip below, as alfo again to
examine their provifion and ftores, and get every thing
into order. They were now proceeding cheerfully on
their voyage, fondly flattering themfelves the adverfe
weather, and the anxieties it had awakened, were all at
an end, when they were fuddenly overwhelmed with
thofe misfortunes which are related in the following
narrative.
C
CHAPTER
chapter ii.
Lofs of the Antelope, and the immediate DiftreJJes ariftng
from the Accident.
Sunday 10. rip h e wind having frefliened after midnight, the fky * became overcaft, with much lightning, thunder, and rain. The chief mate having the watch upon deck, had lowered the top-fails, and was going to reef them with the people upon duty, not thinking it neceffary to call the hands out or acquaint the Captain, who had only quitted the deck at twelve o'clock; Mr. Benger judging from the thunder that the weather would break and clear up, and only prove a flight fquall. The people being upon the yards reefing the fails, the man who was on the look-out called Breakers ! yet fo fhort was the notice, that the call of Breakers had fcarce reached the officer upon deck before the fhip flruck. The horror and difmay this unhappy event threw every body into was dreadful; the Captain^ and all thofe who were below in their beds, fprang upon deck in an inftant, anxious to know the caufe of this fudden fhock to the fhip, and the confufion above; a moment convinced thefla of their diflrened iltuation; the
breakers
1783.
AUGUST*
breakers along-fide, through which the rocks made their ap- 1783. pearance, prefented the moil dreadful fcene, and left no room for doubt. The fhip taking a heel, in lefs than an hour filled with water as high as the lower deck hatchways; during this tremendous interval, the people thronged round the Captain, and earneflly requefted to be directed what to do, befeeching him to give orders and they would immediately execute them. Orders were in confequence in-ftantly given to fecure the gunpowder, ammunition, and fmall arms, and that the bread, and fuch other proviflon as would fpoil by wet, fhould be brought upon deck and fecured by fome covering from the rain; while others were directed to cut away the mizen-maft, the main and foretop-maft, and lower yards, to eafe the fhip and prevent her overfetting, of which they thought there was fome hazard, and that every thing fhould be done to prefervc her as long as poflible (the fails having all been clewed up as foon as the fhip flruck). The boats were hoifled out, and filled with provifion and water, together with a compafs in each, fome fmall arms, and ammunition; and two men were placed in each boat, with directions to keep them under the lee of the fhip, and be careful they were not ftaved, and to be ready to receive their (hip-mates in cafe the veffel ihould break to pieces by the dafliing of the waves and the violence of the wind, it then blowing a ftorm. Every thing that could be thought expedient in fo diftrefsful and
C 2 trying
I* ANAGGOUNTOF
1783. trying an occafion was executed with a readinefs and
august.
obedience hardly ever exceeded. The people all now af-fembled aft, the quarter-deck laying higheft out of the water, the quarter-boards afforded fome little fhelter from the fea and rain; here, after contemplating a few moments their wretched fituation, the Captain endeavoured to revive their drooping fpirits, which began to fink through anxiety and fatigue, by reminding them that fhipwreck was a misfortune to which thofe who navigate the ocean were always liable; that theirs indeed was more difficult, from happening in an unknown and unfrequented fea, but that this confederation fhould roufe their moil active attention, as much muft depend on themfelves to be extricated from their diftrefs; that when thefe misfortunes happened, they were often rendered more dreadful than they otherwife would be by the defpair and difagreement of the crew ; to avoid which, it was ftrongly recommended to every individual not to drink any fpirituous liquor. A ready confent was given to this advice; and, they being all wet and fatigued with exceflive labour, it was thought advifeable to take fome refreihment, which to each perfon was a glafs of wine and fome bifcuit; after eating, a fecond glafs of wine was given them, and they now wraited with the utmoft anxiety the return of day, in hope of feeing land, for as yet they had not difcovered any; the third mate and one of the quar-ter-mafters only, in the momentary interval of a dreadful
flafh
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 13 flafh of lightning, imagined they had feen the appearance iftl-
° 0 0 AUGUST.
of land ahead of the fhip. During thefe anxious moments, they endeavoured to confole and cheer one another, and each was advifed to clothe and prepare himfelf to quit the fliip when neceflity fhould make that flep inevitable ; and herein the utmoft good order and regularity was obferved, not a man offering to take any thing but what truly belonged to himfelf, nor did any one of them either afk for, or attempt to take a dram, or complain of negligence or mifconducT: againft the watch or any par-ticrdar perfon. The dawn of day difcovered to their view a fmall ifland to the fouthward, about three or four leagues diftant, and foon after fome other iflands were feen to the eaftward. They now felt appreheniive on account of the inhabitants, of whofe difpofitions they were Grangers; however, after manning the boats, and loading them in the beft manner they could for the general good, they departed from the fliip under the care of Mr. Benger, who, together with the people in them, were earneftly re-quefted to endeavour to obtain a friendly intercourfe with the inhabitants if they found any, and carefully to avoid any difagreement unlefs reduced to the laft neceflity, as the ' fate of all might depend upon the firft interview. As foon as the boats were gone, thofe who remained went immediately to work to get the booms overboard, in order to make a raft to fecure themfelves, as the Antelope was
hourly
17^3- hourly expected to go to pieces, and the utmoft difquie-
august. p 1
tude was entertained for the fafety of the boats, not only on account of the natives, but alfo of the weather, k continuing to blow very hard.—But in the afternoon, they perceived with inexpreflible joy the boats coming off; a fight the more welcome, as they were fearful from their long flay, they might have met with fome difafter, either from the inhabitants, or the ftorm; they were however happily relieved from this anxiety by their getting fafc to the fhip about four o'clock, having left the ftores and five men on fliore. They brought the welcome news that there was no appearance of inhabitants on the iiland where they had landed; that they had found a fecure harbour well fhel-tered from the weather, and alfo fome frefh water. Every one now purfued their labour with renovated fpirits to complete the raft, which was in great forwardnefs when the boats returned; this being completed, they took a fe-cond refrefhment of bread and wine, each individual having ftrictly conformed to the promife made to Captain Wilson, not to drink any ftrong liquor. We muft not omit here mentioning a melancholy accident which happened among the events of this difaftrous morning; foon after day-break the mizen-maft being found near the fhip's ftern, and fome of the rigging entangled in the mizen-chains, Godfry Minks went to cut it adrift, in doing which he unfortunately flipped and fell overboard, and although the boats, * which
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 15 which were not then gone, went inftantly to his afliflance, 1783.
AUGUST.'
he was unfortunately drowned, owing, as was fuppofed, to having encumbered himfelf with too many clothes, when he prepared himfelf, as before related, to be ready to quit the fliip.
The raft being now completed, was loaded with as much provilion and flores as it could carry, confiflently with the fafety of the people who were to go on it. The pinnace and jolly-boat were likewife filled with provilion, ammunition, and fmall arms, in which was placed their greatefl fecurity. The people being ftill anxioully employed in faving whatever they could, and the fhip beginning to have a little motion from the rifing of the tide, there was great apprehenfion that the main-mafc. would fall over the fide, in which cafe it mult have dropt on the raft, and deflroyed it, and have rendered all their labours fruitlefs. The raft and pinnace being ready to depart, and the evening advancing, the boatfwain was defired to go into the fhip, and to wind his call, in order to alarm thofe who were bufily employed below (and whom Gap-tain Wilson had repeatedly entreated to defift) to go into the boats and raft, that they might endeavour to get on more before night, and fecure what they had already got out of the fhip. And here it may be worth noticing, the great care and attention of the carpenter, who was fo intent on faving what tools and flores he could, that he remained below after the pinnace and raft were departed, and
Captain
1783- Captain Wilson was obliged to compel him to go into
AUG u $ T.
the jolly-boat, fo anxious was he to provide and take with him whatever he thought might contribute to their future relief.
Thus with aching hearts, and deep melancholy, they quitted the Antelope, totally ignorant of their future def-tiny. The pinnace, with fome of the ftouteft of the Ihip's crew, took the raft in tow; the jolly-boat alfo allifted, by towing the pinnace till they had cleared the reef; after which, being too heavily laden to be of much further aid, thofe in the pinnace call loofe their rope, and the jolly-boat proceeded alone to the Ihore, where they arrived about eight o'clock at night, and found their companions who had been
left in the morning. Thefe few men had not been idle, or unmindful of their fellow-fufferers; having employed themfelves in clearing away a fpot of ground, and had erected a fmall tent with a fail, in readinefs for their reception. The fituation both of thofe on the raft, as well as thofe in. the pinnace, was truly dreadful till they had cleared the reef (which was more than half an hour); by the great furf and fpray of the fea, the pinnace and raft were often out of fight of each other; thofe on the latter were obliged to tie themfelves, and cling to it with all their flrength, to prevent being waihed off; and the fhrieks of the Chinefe, lefs inured to the perils of an element they were then conflicting with, did not a little aggravate the horror of the fcene.
9 Having
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 17 Having cleared the reef, and got into the channel which 1783.
august.
flows between that and the iilands, they found themfelves in deep water, and a lefs difturbed fea; they hoifted the fails of the pinnace, and got on ; but as they approached the land, perceiving a ftrong- current, which fet them much to leeward of the iiland where they had left the flores and people in the morning, they dropped their fails and rowed. They found the current ftill much flronger as they got nearer the more, and though every man exerted his utmoft flrength, they ftill continued to drop to leeward. Feeling now their inability to refift the current, and the flrength of the rowers being almoft exhausted, it was judged for the fafety of all, that the pinnace fhould take the people from off" the raft, and bring the raft to a grapnel during the
night. Thefe additional men from the raft double banked the oars of the pinnace, and relieved the rowers, but at the fame time they fo crowded her, that fhe could barely keep herfelf above water, being then clofe under a rocky coafl, in about fixteen fathom water (as they afterwards better knew). They were only able to advance ilowly; but as they drew nearer to the iiland whither the others were gone before, the jolly-boat having unladen her cargo, Gap-tain Wilson with four people, wras returning in her, to lighten the raft and pinnace, and give them full afTiftancCi and it being dark, hailed the pinnace at a diftance. Whether i£ was from the great fatigue the people had fuflained while
D on
1783. on the raft, or from their voice and fpirits being exhaufted*
UCUST, & 7
or from the fudden joy of perceiving they were fo near again to their comrades, but the halloo was anfwered in fo ihrill and unaccuftomed a manner, that thofe who were in the jolly-boat, who had previoufly heard the paddling of oars, fuppofed they were natives; as the people who had remained on more in the morning with the ftores, had dif-covered, after the boats had left them, traces of fome people having been lately upon the iiland, by feeing places where there had been fires, with fome fiih bones and pieces of cocoa-nut fhells fcattered about, that had not the appearance of having lain long there; thefe circumftances inducing the jolly-boat's crew to conclude, that the return
of the halloo came from a party of the natives, they precipitately returned back into the cove. The pinnace arriving foon after, all thefe alarms were difTipated, and an univerfal joy fpread itfelf over every countenance on feeing one another again on dry land. They fliook hands together with the utmoft cordiality, every one feeling thofe emotions that could ill be exprefied by the moft forcible language. • They got part of a cheefe, fome bifcuit, and a little water, for their fupper; and by means of dif-charging a piftol, loaded with powder, into fome match which they picked loofe to ferve as tinder, they kindled a fire in the cove, where they dried their clothes, which were thoroughly wet, and ilept on the ground alternately, 9 under
THE PELEW ISLANDS. T9 under the covering of the tent which had been raifed. The i783-
0 AUGUST.
night proved very uncomfortable on many accounts; the rain and wind were heavy, and the diftrefs of fituation not a little increafed by the fear of the fliip going to pieces, from the tempeftuous weather, before they fhould be able to fave from her fuch neceffaries as might be ufeful to them. They hauled their boats on fhore, and fet a watch, left they might happen to be furprized by any of the natives.
The conftant perfpiration the people had been in, added Monday 11. to their being perpetually wet with the fait water, had produced an irritation on their fkins, which, with the ad-ded friction of their clothes from fevere labour, had excoriated them in a manner to make them moft miferably fore. At dawn of day, both the pinnace and jolly-boat were fent to the raft, to try and bring it up; but the wind blowing very hard, they were afraid to attempt moving it; they were, however, fortunate enough to get the remainder of the provilion and fails from it, and returned about noon.
The weather proving more moderate in the afternoon, the boats were fent to the wreck to bring away fome rice, and other provifion, as alfo to procure what neceffaries they could for the people, who, from what has been before faid, flood in great need of them.
Thofe who remained on fhore were employed in drying their powder, and cleaning and fitting their arms for ufe,
D 2 in
5783- in cafe of need; and as the boats did not return till ten:
A U G U S Tr
o'clock in the evening, k fpread amongft their companions much alarm for their fafety, as the night came on with very heavy weather; nor indeed were their fpirits rendered tranquil by their arrival, for the chief mate and crew, who returned with the pinnace, brought the melancholy intelligence, that they did not conceive, from the badnefs of the weather, that the fliip could hold together till morning, as fhe was beginning to part, the bends or wales being ftarted, out of their places. The ideas which had been fondly nurfed, that when a calm fuceeeded there was a pofflbility flie might be floated and repaired, fo as to return to Macoa,, or fome part of China, were by this account;totally extin-guiflied. The profpect now darkened round them, fear pictured ftrongly every danger, and hope could hardly find an inlet through which one ray of confolation might flioot. They knew nothing of the inhabitants of. that country, where fate had thrown them; ignorant of their manners and difpofitions, as well as of the hoftile fcenes they might have to encounter for their fafety ; they found themfelves, by this fudden accident, cut off at once from the reft of the world, with little probability of their ever again getting away. Each individual threw back his remembrance to fome dear object that affection had rivetted to his heart, who might be in vain looking out anxioufly for the return of the father, the hufband, or the friend, whom there was
fcarcely
the pelew islands,
21
fcarcely the moft diftant chance of their ever feeing any i783«
AUGUST.
more. Thefe reflections did not contribute to make the night comfortable; the weather was far more tempeftuous than in the preceding one; but the clothes which the people had procured from the wreck proved a great comfort to, them all, who were thereby enabled to have a change.
C II.A P T E R
i783. CHAPTER III.
august.
Virjl Appearance of the Natives.—The curious and friendly Interview between them and the Englifli—Captain Wilson's Brother fent to the King of Pelew, the King's Brother remaining with our People.
TucfJay 12, AT day-break every one went to work, to dry the flores ■4 and provifions between the fliowers, as it blew exceedingly hard, fo that the boats could not venture to fea; and many were bufied to form better tents with fuch materials as they had faved. About eight o'clock in the morning Captain Wilson and Tom Rose being on the beach collecting water which dropped from the rocks, the people who were employed in clearing away the ground, in the wood behind them, gave notice that fome of the natives were approaching, as they perceived a canoe coming round the point into the bay; this gave fo much alarm that the people all flew to the arms; however, as there were only two canoes, and thofe having but few men in them, the people were delired to remain ftill, and out of fight, until they fhould perceive what reception the Captain and Tom Rose met with, whom they were convinced the natives
had
THE PELEW ISLANDS. U had difcovcred, as they converted together, and kept fled- *78;?-
j ° * august
faflly looking towards that part of the fhore where they were; our people were dcfircd to be prepared for the worfl, but by no means to appear for the prefent, or fhew any figns of diftrutt when they did, unlefs the behaviour of the natives to them fhould render it abfolutely ncceuary. In this fliort interval of time the canoes had advanced cau-tiouily towards the fhore, where they flood, when Captain Wilson defired Tom Rose to fpeak to them in the Malay language, which they did not feem to underfland, but flopped their canoes; yet foon after one of them fpoke in the Malay tongue, and afked who they were ? and whether they were friends or enemies ? To thefe queflions Tom Rose was directed to reply, u That they were unfortunate
" Englijbmen9 who had loft their fliip upon the reef, and " had faved their lives, and were their friends." Upon this they fpoke a few words together (which was fince fuppofed to have been the Malay man explaining to them what had been faid) ; and prefently they Hepped out of the canoes into the water, and came towards the fhore, on which Captain Wilson waded into the water to meet them, and embracing them in a friendly manner, conducted them to the fhore, and introduced them to his officers and Unfortunate companions ; they were eight in number, two of whom it was afterwards known were brothers to the King. They left one man in each canoe; and, as they were
coming
coming into the cove, feemed to look round with great watchfulnefs, as if fearful of being betrayed; nor would they feat themfelves near the tents, but kept clofe to the beach, that in cafe of danger they might immediately regain their canoes. Our people now going to breakfaft, they were prefented with fome tea, and fome fweet bifcuits, made at China, of which two or three jars had been faved. Only Captain Wilson, and one or two more, with Tom Rose the interpreter, breakfafted with them; for, as they would probably have entertained doubts of our people, had the Englijh furrounded them to gratify curiofity, they might, from their apprehenuons, have haftily departed. In the little converfation which during the breakfaft could
be obtained, a wifh was exprefTed to the Malay they brought with them, of knowing by what event he chanced to be there. This fellow, belide his own and the Pelew language, fpoke a little Dutch, and fome words of Engli/h : he gave the*following account of himfelf, * viz.—That he commanded a trading veffel belonging to a China man at Ternate, had been on a trading voyage to Amboyna and Bantam, and had been call away, about ten months before, upon an iiland to the fouthward, which was within fight of where he then was; that he efcaped from thence to Pelew, and had been kindly received by the king, who, he
* The future conduct and behaviour of this Malay gave reafon to fufpeft there was little truth in the account he gave of himfelf.
i told
THE PELEW I S'L A N D S. 25 told them, was a very good man, and that his people alfo 1783*
august.
were courteous.
He further acquainted them, that a canoe having been out hihing, had feen the fhip's maft lying down; and that the king being informed of it, lent off thefe two canoes, at four o'clock that morning, to "enquire what was become of the people; that they knowing well this harbour, had come to it firft, being a place where the canoes, when fifhing, often fhelter themfelves in hard weather.—They fat about an hour with Captain Wilson, tailed the tea, but feemed to like better the bifcuits, and appeared now to feel themfelves relieved from every apprehenfion. They wifhed that one of our people might be fent in their canoes to the Rupack, or King, that he might fee what fort of people
they were; which was agreed to by Captain Wilson, who, after breakfaft wras ended, introduced to them feveral of his officers ; thefe, as they came up, Ihook hands with the natives, who being informed by the Malay that this was the mode of falutation amongft the Englijh, they went to every man prefent, and took him by the hand, nor ever after omitted this token of regard, as often as they met our countrymen.
It often pleafes Providence, in the moft trying hours of difficulty and diftrefs, to throw open fome unlooked-for fource of confolation to tbe fpirits of the unfortunate !—It was a lingular accident, that Captain Rees of the Nor-
E thumberland
1783- thumberland fhould, at Macoa, have• recommended to
august.
Captain Wilson, Tom Rose as a fervant, who fpoke the Malay language perfectly well.
It was a ftill more fingular circumftance, that a temped fhould have thrown a Malay on this fpot, who had as a Granger been noticed and favoured by the king, and having been near a year on the ifland previous to the lofs of the Antelope, was become acquainted with the language of the country; by this extraordinary event both the English and the inhabitants of Pelew had each an interpreter who could converfe freely together in the Malay tongue, and Tom Rose fpeaking Engli/lj, an eafy intercourfe was imme-ately opened on both fides, and all thofe impediments removed at once, which would have arifen among people who had no means of conveying their thoughts to one another by language, but muft have trufted to figns and geftures, which, to thofe born in climates fo remotely feparated, might have given rife to a thoufand mifconceptions.—The natives perceiving the boats preparing to be launched, imagined it was for departure ; but being told our men were only going off to the wreck to fetch more ftores and necefiaries on fhore, they faid they would fend one of their people with them, to prevent any canoes from molefting them.
The natives were of a deep copper colour, perfectly naked, having no kind of covering whatfoever; their fkins very loft and gloffy, owing, as was known afterwards,
to
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 27 to the external ufe of cocoa-nut oil. Each Chief had *783-
AUCUi'
in his hand a bafket of beetle - nut, and a bamboo finely" polifhed and^inlaid at each end, in which they carry their -Cbinam; this is coral burnt to a lime, which they lhake out through one end of the bamboo where they
carry it, on the leaf of the beetle-nut, before they chew ' it, to render it more ufeful, or palatable. It was obferved that all their teeth were black, and that the Beetle-nut and Cbinam, of which they had always a quid in their mouths, rendered the faliva red, which, together with their black teeth, gave their mouths a very difgufting appearance.— They were of a middling ftature, very ftraight, and mufcu-lar, their limbs well formed, and had a particular majeilic manner in walking; but their legs, from a little above their
ancles to the middle of their thighs, were tatooed fo very thick, as to appear dyed of a far deeper colour than their fkin : their hair was of a fine black, long, and rolled up behind in a fimple manner clofe to the back of their heads, and appeared both neat and becoming.—None of them, except the younger of the King's two brothers, had a beard ; and it was afterwards obferved, in the courfe of a longer acquaintance with them, that they in general plucked out their beards by the root; a very few only, who had ftrong thick beards, cherifhed them and let them grow.—As they now^feemed to feel no longer any reftraint, they were conducted round the cove; the ground was as yet but
E a flighty
J783» flightly and partially cleared, much broken fhells and rock,
A V g u s t#
together with thorny plants and ihrubs remaining over it,, nor could our people help being furprized at feeing them, barefooted as they were, walk over all this rough way as perfectly at eafe as if it had been the fmootheft ground. But if the uncommon appearance of the natives of Pelew excited furprize in the llnglijlj, their appearance, in return, awakened in their vifitors a far greater degree of aftonifhment.—Our countrymen, during all the time they remained in thefe iflands, were perfectly convinced, that the inhabitants had never before feen a white man, it was therefore little to be wondered that they viewed them as a new and a very extraordinary race of beings: all they obferved, and all
they touched, made them exclaim wee// wee// and fometimes weel a trecoy ! which the Malay informed them was a declaration of being well pleafed.—They began with flroaking the bodies and arms of the Englijb, or rather their waiftxoats and coat fleeves, as if they doubted whether the garment and the man were not of the fame fubftance; but were told by the Malay, that the Unglijh in their own climate being expofed to far greater cold, were accuftomed always to be covered* and had coverings of different kinds to put on as occafion required, fo that they could be always dry and warm. Our people plainly perceived, by the geflures of the Malay d.m\thc natives,that this was what they were converfing about; nor could they avoid obferving, by the countenances
of
of the latter, the qiiicknefs with which they feemed to com- ^y\T prehend whatever information the Malay gave them. The next thing they noticed was our people's hands, and the blue veins of their wrifts; and they probably confidcred the white fkin of the hands and face as artificial, and the veins as the Englijh manner of tatooing, for they immediately requefted, that the jacket-fleeves of the men might be drawn up, to fee if their arms were of the fame colour as their hands and faces : fatisfied in this particular, they exprelfed a further wifh to fee their bodies; upon which fome of the men opened their bofoms, and gave them to underdand that all the reffc of their body was the fame.—They feemed much aftoniiTied at finding hair on their breads, it being confidered with them as a great mark of indelicacy, infomuch that they eradicate it from every part of the body in both fexes*
They afterwards walked about, teftifying great curiofity, but at the fame time expreffing a fear that they intruded too much. As they had come on fhore unarmed, this consideration induced Captain Wilson, before he fhe wed them the tents, to order that all the fire-arms fhould be put out of fight, by covering them with a fail, that the mutual confidence, which had fo happily fprung up on both fides, might not be chilled or overfhadowed by the flighted miftrud; but this well-conceived intention was frudrated by an accident.—As our people were conducting them to the tents, clofe by the entrance, one of the natives picked up a bullet, which had
been
J0*3j f been cafually dropped on the ground, and immediately ex-prefTed his furprize, that a fubftance fo fmall to the eye fhould be fo very ponderous to the touch ; he fhewed it directly to the Malay, who defcribed to him the ufe of it, and feemed to be expatiating on the nature of fire-arms, for when he had done he wifhed that one of our mufkets might be lhewn them, that they might better comprehend their power and ufe.
Our people had in the tents two dogs, who were confined clofe to the place where their arms were depo-fited; one of them was a large Newfoundlander, who had been brought up at fea from a puppy, the other a fpaniel; the Newfoundland dog had been the favourite of every one
on board, being a moft excellent guard, and had been taught during the voyage an infinite number of tricks, by which he afforded fo much amufement to the whole crew, that there was not a failor belonging to the Antelope who would not have rifked his life for the dog. On entering the tent with their new friends, one of our people went before to the dogs, to fee they were tied up, and to prevent any furprize to their vifttors ; no fooncr had they entered the tent, than the two dogs fet up a moft violent barking, and the natives a noife but little lefs loud; our people fcarcely at firft knew whether it arofe from fear, or was expreflive of altoniihment; they ran in and out of the tent, and appeared to wifh they might be made to bark again; but the Malay S foon
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 31 foon explained this to be the effects of joy and furprize, *783-
r j august*
thefe animals being the firft of the kind they had ever feen, they having no quadrupeds of any fpecies on thefe iflands, except a very few grey rats in the woods.—It was agreed on by Captain Wilson and his people, that the wifli which the natives had expreffed reflecting the fending one of them to Pelew, that the King might fee what kind of Beings white men were, fhould be complied with, and fome difficulty arifing who fhould be the perfon, the Captain re-quefted his brother, Mr. Matthias Wilson, to go, which requeft he readily complied with, and agreed to depart with them in their canoes.
The jolly-boat went out of the cove this forenoon, but the badnefs of the weather obliged her to put back, as did
alfo the canoe that was returning to the King, in which was Mr. M. Wilson, but about noon the canoe fet out again and proceeded on her voyage. Captain Wilson was much affected at his brother's departure, but hoped the embaffy might prove the means of alleviating their forlorn fituation. He inftructed his brother to inform the King who they were, to acquaint him with their misfortunes, and to folicit his friendfhip, as alfo his permiflion to build a veffel to carry them back to their own country. He fent by Mr. M. Wilson a prefent to the King of a fmall remnant of blue broad cloth, a canifter of tea, a canifter of fugar-candy, and a jar of rufk. The laft article was added at the particular
requeft
i783- requeft of the King's two brothers, the younger of whom re-turned with Mr. M.Wilson.
The weather being rough, our people employed themfelves in drying their clothes, and making their tents more commodious. The natives conducted our people to a well of freih water; the path leading to this well lying acrofs lteep and rugged rocks, rendered the track hazardous and difficult. Richard Sharp, a midfliipman, a lad about fifteen, being on this duty, the natives took him in their arms when the path was rugged, and they were very careful in thefe places to affift the men, who returned with two jars filled.
One canoe and three men remained with our people, as did one of the King's brothers, called Raa Kook, commander in chief of the King's forces, and the Malay interpreter ; they eat of fome fowl ftewed with bread, which was prepared for dinner, but would not eat fome ilices of ham which Captain Whs on had d relied for them, dill iking the tafte of fait, of which they had no knowledge. It continuing to rain and blow exceflively hard all the afternoon, they could not go away, but paffed the night with our people, and appeared to be perfectly eafy and contented with their reception.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
IV.
1783.
AUGUST.
The Pinnace goes to the Ship, and finds it had been vifited by fome of the Natives.—The Behaviour of Raa Kook, the King's Brother, on being informed of it.—'The friendly Con-duel of this Chief whiljl he remained alone with the Englifh. —A Council held, and all the Cafks of Liquor remaining in the Antelope ordered to beJlaved.
H E wind and rain this night proved far hearier Wednefday
than any fince the wreck; but at day-break it became more moderate, and the boatfwain called all hands out to work by winding his pipe, the found of which much pleafed and furprized the natives. Raa Kook informed Captain Wilson, that his brother would not be able to return, on account of the weather.—About ten o'clock the pinnace was fent off to the Ihip; the people who remained on fhore employed themfelves in clearing the ground and drying their provilion. The pinnace did not get back till after to
40 ANACCOUNTOF
1783. to be hoped from fuch a band of brave fellows, whom
august, r
unanimity, affection, and mutual confidence, had united in one unremitting plan of exertion, for the prefervation of the whole !—The intelligence of this bufinefs being fo faithfully performed, was brought this evening by the officer who attended the men, and who came back with the pinnace after dark, as before mentioned, and was confirmed by all the others who aflifled ; and if any thing could add to the fatisfactory manner in which it had been executed, it was to perceive, that, when they all fat down to fuppcr, the event did not produce a fingle difcontented countenance.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER V.
Arra Kooker, the King's Brother, returns from Pelew, and is foon after followed by Mr. Matthias Wilson, who gives a very favourable Account of the Manner in which he had been received. — Regulations made by the Englifli for ejlablijlring a Nightly Guard.—The General and Arra Kooker informed of it.—They approve the Scheme, which is immediately put in Execution.—Some Charatler of Arra Kooker.
npHE next morning two canoes arrived with yams, ready
boiled, and fome cocoa-nuts, which were prefented to Captain Wilson. In one of thefe veffels Arra Kooker, the King's brother, returned back, who brought with him one of the king's fons ; Raa Kook went immediately to receive his nephew, and much converfation feemed to pafs between them. Arra Kooker informed his brother, that three men had died of the things they had taken and drank out of the medicine-chef!:; the General replied, that the Englijh had told him this might be the confequence, and he was glad they had fuftered for their bad conduct. The nieffage which the King's fon had brought from his father
august.
Thurfday 14.
G
was
1783- was delivered to the General, and from him interpreted to
august.
our people, through the Malay;—the purport of it was, to bid the Englijb welcome into his country, and to inform them that they had his full leave and permiffion to build a veffel on the iiland on which they then were, or that they miii'ht remove to, and build it on the iiland where he lived himfelf, and be under his own more immediate protection. This being communicated, he introduced the young Prince to all our people, and then walked about with him, and fhowed and explained to him every thing which he had made himfelf acquainted with relative to our manners. His nephew, who appeared to be about twenty-one, was as full of aftonilhment at what he faw, as the uncle himfelf had been before; and Raa Kook difcovered no fmall degree of pleafure in perceiving the eager delight with which his young relation noticed every thing which his attention was directed to.
WJiilft this engaged the General and the Prince, our people were questioning Arra Kooker, with anxious concern, about Mr. M. Wilson, whom he had conveyed to Pelew, and whom they did not fee return with him; Arra Kooker affured them they would fee him very foon; that he had only been detained by the wind, and was actually on his way. He then defcribed by figns and gestures (for he had a very particular turn for mimickry and humour) the apprehenfions Mr. M. Wilson had been under,
when
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 43 when he was at Pelew, which he endeavoured to convince l$h
A u Q u 5 Ti
them he had very unneccilarily entertained. It was not long before our people were made happy by his fafe return; who had, as he told them, undergone no fmall degree of alarm, though it turned out to be more founded in imaginary fear, than in any real danger. He made a very favourable report of the people of Pelew, that they feemed to be friendly in their difpofition, and had treated him with much civility and kindnefs:—The account of his expedition, as related to me by himfelf, was as follows:
" When the canoe in which I went away came near the " ifland where the King lived, a vait concourfe of the na-
c< tives ran out of their houfes to fee me come on fhore ; the *' King's brother, who accompanied me, took me by the
" hand, and conducted me from the landing-place up to the " town, where there was a mat fpread upon a fquare pave-" ment, on which he by flgns directed me to lit down. i " obeyed, and in a little time the King appeared, which " being notified to me by his brother, I arofe, and made my «« obcifance after the manner of eaftern nations, lifting up u my hands to my head, and inclining my body forward; to " which he did not feem to pay any attention. After this ce-u remony, I offered the King the prefents my brother had c< fent by me, which he received in a very gracious manner. *' —His brother, Arra Kooker, now talked a good deal *' with him, which I conceived was to acquaint him with our
G 2 « difafter,
1783- " difailer, and our numbers; after which the King eat fome
august,
" of the fugar-candy, feemed to relifh it, and diftributed « a little of it to feveral of his Chiefs, and then directed all " the things to be taken away and carried to his own houfe; " which being done, he ordered refrefhments to be brought, " which coniifted of a cocoa-nut filled with warm water, «« and fweetened with moloffes ; after tafting it, he com-" manded a little boy who was near him to climb a cocoa-" tree and gather frefh nuts, he cleared one from the " hufks, and tailing the milk thereof, bade the little boy ** prefent it to me, making figns to me to fend it back when *« I had drank; he afterwards broke the nut in two, eat a " little, and returned it to me to eat of it.
u I now found myfelf furrounded by a vaft concourfe of among them, acquainted the King, that thefe were a people quite different from the Englijh, and that they were China-men, a word he had readily caught.— He begged one of them
would
would allow the King to examine his head, noticing the long fmgle-braided lock of hair hanging almoft down to the calves of their legs.
The King gave great attention to all that the General faid, and feemed to be making many enquiries of him ; by Raa Kook's geftures it was evident that he was conveying to his brother an idea that there were many different nations in different parts of the world, fome of which were called French, with whom the Englifb themfelves were then at war (this our people, in their many hours of convcr-fation, had told the General of.) He alfo informed him that the China-men were a different kind of men to the Englifh, an idea which he had himfelf conceived, from obferving that the night heforc, when the Engli/h turned out their night-watch for the firft time, the Chinefe had no mufquets, but only boarding-pikes, and having enquired the caufe, was told that they were not ufed to fight with guns as the Etiglijh were, which induced him to hold them cheap.
When the King heard his brother difcourfing about a variety of nations difperfed through the world, who all fpoke differently, and had before him an example in the Chinefe,' who did not fpeak in the fame tongue as the Eng/ifb, he appeared inftantl'y thoughtful and ferious, as if ftruck with conceptions that had never croifed his mind before.. He remained awhile penfive and bewildered; and this
circumftance
1783. circumftancc imprcfTed on every one, at the time, an idea,
august,
which wiil poflibly now as forcibly imprefs the reader,' that there was every caufe to fuppofe there had never been a communication between thefe people and any other nation ; that they and their anceftry, through a line of ages too remote for human conjecture to fix a date, might have lived as fovercigns of the world, unconfeious that it extended beyond the horizon that bounded them ; unconfeious alfo that there were any more inhabitants in it than themfelves; and in this cafe, what might not be the fenti-ments that might burlt on a mind thus fuddenly awakened to a new and a more enlarged notion of nature and mankind I *
As the King was going toward our tents, of which there were three, with a centry ltationed at each, the day being line, and the fun in full power, he noticed the bright glitter of the bayonet; it of courfe aftoniihed him, who had never feen any polifhed body, or the action of light on it. lie Itepped haftily to the centinel and wifhed to feel it, offering to take it out of the man's hand, who thereupon drew back; Captain Wilson then explained to him, that no Eftgtifk cen-
* It is not improbable but that, from feeing the Malay, fome notion of this kind might have been awakened before ; but now, having before him a people of a different colour, and hearing of a variety of nations who were of the fame complexion, the im-jprcflion. would naturally operate on his mind with redoubled iUength.
tine!
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 63 tinel would, or dared fuffer any one to touch his arms.—Upon 1783-
AUCUS1
this the King feemed fatisfied, and went on to view other things in and about the cove. Raa Kook would now lhow his brother the kitchen, which was in the hollow of a rock, a little above the cove. It was the time when the cook was preparing dinner; the implements which furnifhed the kitchen were fcanty indeed, and could in no other place but this have attracted any one's attention ; but here an iron pot, a tea-kettle, a tin faucepan, with a poker, a pair of tongs, and frying-pan, became, from their peculiar fituation, of fu iHcient confequence to excite admiration ; nor were the bellows now forgotten by the General (of which fome mention has before been made) who taking them up, as he explained their ufe to the King, feemed ambitious to let his brother fee what an adept he was, and began to blow the lire. The bald cook, who was always dole fhaved, and never wore any thing on his head, and was beiide a little meagre fellow, was alfo pointed out by him for the King's notice; for the General's vein of humour, as well as his wifli of information, made him attentive even to the moft trivial.circumstances.
He was alfo taken to fee the two dogs, which he was ftruck and delighted with in full as great a degree as his brother Arra Kooker had been before. But thefe animals, whole novelty equally impreffed all the natives,, ex-8 cited
64 A N A C C O. U N T O F
1783. cited them to take fo much pleafure in making them hark,
august. r r
that our people were alter lome time compelled to confine them out of light.
Near to the kitchen was another hollow rock, where were fufpended the hams which had been faved from the fliip, under which fires had been made, in order to fmokc-dry them for future fea-ftore. Raa Kook was now fo familiarized to our people's methods, that he informed the King this was fome of their provilion ; he wilhed that one of them mould be offered his brother, which was immediately prefented, and accepted, as was alfo a live goofe; four or five (the remains of the live flock) juft at that moment waddling in light.
The King being now returned to his former feat, informed Captain Wilson that he intended to go and ileep at the back of the ifland; and prcfently a loud lhriek was given by one of the King's officers, who wore a thin narrow bone on his wrift, which Was afterwards known to be an Order much inferior to what we have fpoken of before. This, at the moment it was heard, threw our people into fome alarm, but the caufe of it was immediately evident, for all the King's attendants, whom it was conceived amounted at lead to three hundred, though all differently difperfed, and engaged in looking about at every thing that attracted them, as if inflantaneouily moved by
the
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 65 the fhriek, midit be faid to have rather darted than to *783«
0 august.
have ran to their canoes. It was a fignal obeyed more fuddenly than could have been conceived, and no word of command was ever executed with more promptitude. The King departed, in appearance well pleafed with his vilit, and fatisfied with what he had feen.
It hath been faid, in the beginning of this chapter, that the canoes which preceded the King, were flopped a little before entering the cove, by his giving orders to the fouadron of thofe which were armed to. detach themfelves, and go to the back of the iiland ; part of this manoeuvre was viiiblc from the fhore, and the reft was obtained by intelligence from fome of our people who had been fent over land to the watering-place, which lay at the back of the iiland, and
who happened to be on the fpot when the armed canoes arrived, which fo alarmed them, that they came with all poffible fpeed to give information of it. But the King being then with the ~Englif?jy they were perfectly eafy, knowing that thefe canoes muft be part of his retinue. The King being then at war, would not choofe, in vilit-ing our people, to expofe himfelf to any infult from his enemies, the paflage from Pelew to this iiland being about feven leagues; and coming with all the fentiments of friendfhip, he judged it indelicate to alarm thofe who had fought his protection, by the formidable appearance of fuel) numbers as accompanied him.
K The
66 ANACCOUNTOF
178?. The King's fon and Raa Kook flayed with the Enghflj,
l u g u s t.
having live canoes and about twenty people remaining with them; they flept in two tents by themfelves, our people lying in the tent where their arms and ftores were, two tents having been erected, for the accommodation of the King and his retinue. One was prepared for the King before he came, and the other raifed clofe to it, for his attendants, after his arrival, when they faw the number of them. In the tent intended for the King, was Raa Kook, the King's fon, and feveral Chiefs; Captain Wilson remained with them after the guard was fet, and centinels placed, to (hew them refpecl:, as well as to teftify the confidence he placed in them. Soon after which the following drcumftance happened, which occafioned much alarm.
After the guard was fet, and the centinels placed, our people were going to reft, when, on a fudden, the na-tives began a fong, the Ihrillnefs and manner of which made them think it was their war-hoop, or the fignal for the King and his party from the back of the iiland to come upon them; the EngliJJj inftantly took to their arms, and MefTrs. Barker and Sharp ran to the tent where Captain Wilson was, to fee if he was fafe ; judging, that if any harm was intended, the natives would fecure him, who was alone with them.—Seeing him fafe and quiet, they informed him of the apprehenfions of our people, who were all under arms; he requefted Mr. Barker to return r immediately
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 67 immediately to them, and deiire them to make no mew 1783.
AUCUS1
of being alarmed, but to keep upon their guard until they mould find what the meaning of this might be, adding, that he would come to them as foon as he could do it without being noticed; he rcqucfted Mr. Sharp to fit down by the King's fon, and enter into fome converfation with him, by ligns, whilft he went himfelf to their tent, where he found the people under arms ; after a little deliberation on what this noife might mean, it was thought beft to difcover no appearance of uneafinefs, but to remain quiet in the tent, with arms ready by them, and that he would return to the natives, and wait the event; when he was foon relieved from every anxiety, by finding that they were only tuning their voices, in order to begin a fong; which
as foon as they had in their manner properly pitched, Raa Kook gave out a line, or ftave, which was taken up by another Rupack, feated at a little diftance, who fang a verfe, accompanied by the reft of the natives prefent, except himfelf and the Prince. The laft line they fung twice over, which was taken up by the natives in the next tent, in chorus; Raa Kook then gave out another line, which was fung in the fame manner; and this continued for ten or twelve verfes. They talked at times between the verfes, as if fetting fome of the fingers right who had not been properly in tune. Their fong ended, they refuelled to hear fome Englijb fongs, which was readily com-
K 2 plied
plied with % and feveral fongs were fung by one of our people, with which they were exceedingly pleafed. This put an agreeable end to every apprehenfion, as the EngHJh were now convinced their fole intent was to amufe them. The natives went quietly to fleep, foon after this, but there were few of the Englifh able to compofe themfelves this night; the alarm had awakened too many fufpicious ideas, re* allow their minds to be fpeedily compofed.
* Our fongs were fea fongs, and of battles j and the King was fo pleafed at the account he afterwards heard of them, that whenever he met the young lad Cobble-is tCK, who-fang them, he would flop him, and make him fing one or two fongs.
C II APT E R
CHAPTER
VIL
1733;
a u G u 5 TV
A Coolnefs arifes on the Part of the Natives, which much alarjns the English.—This cleared up, and Friendjhip re-Jiored.—The King requefls Five of Captain Wilson's Men to attend him to a War he was going to make againjl a neighbouring Ifland.—This is qffented to, and he departs with the Men.—The Englifli plan their intended Veffel,form a Dock Yard, unanimoufly cboofe Captain Wilson to be their Commander, and each engages m the Department he
is nominated toy in order to affift the ConflruBion of their future VeffeL—The Firft Sunday after the Shipwreck duly commemorated.
A S all our countrymen's future hopes depended on their Saturday*©*.
• being able to build a fhip with the few tools that had been faved from the Antelope, fo, being in expectation of the King's arrival, and well aware how much thefe implements miffht be coveted by the natives, and the difficulties' they might be reduced to, cither to deprive themfelves of the ufe of them, or rifk the difpleafure of their new friends, rcfiinng their felicitations, it was thought expedient to
fe crcte •
■7*J« fecrete them from the public view; a convenient place was
august..
found in a rock, and the tools concealed; and it was happily effected before the King arrived, by which our people were relieved from thofe difficulties they would otherwife have been under.
The morning being fine and calm, our people launched their boats, in order to go off to the fhip, but miffed the jolly-boat's rudder, which had been flolen for the fake of the iron. Thofe on fhore were employed in getting ready the blocks and ways, in order to lay down the intended veffel. They had already got a piece of wood for a Item, and another for a ftern-poft. About ten o'clock the Chief Minljier came over land, from the back of the ifland, which did not exceed the diftance of half a mile from the cove, and after looking for fome time at the operations then beginning, he took Captain Wilson by the hand, and led him to the tent where the arms were kept; after viewing wifhfully a cutlafs, he afked him for it. In the particular fituation in which our people flood, Captain Wilson thought a refufal might be imprudent, particularly to a Chief of his rank, and therefore judged it wifer to make a virtue of necefhty. But, on coming out of the tent, Raa Kook faw it in his hand, feemed difpleafed, and made him return it.
The Malay fome time after coming on fhore from a canoe, faid there was bad news; that he had heard " that a cutlafs
« had
" had been given to one who was almoft a ftranger, whilft M the King's brothers, who had been with the EngHJJj all
* the time on the ifland, had never had any thing of fuch
* confcquence given them, and that they muft make them ce fome prefents." On this hint Captain Wilson offered each of the King's brothers a remnant of cloth, which they both received very cooly ; he prefcnted them afterwards with white long cloth and fome ribbands, but ftill not a fmile appeared on their faces; by which the Captain perceived that this was- not what they wanted.—The event diftreffed our people much; they had doubts whether this apparent coolnefs might arife from their having given the cutlafs to the Chief Mtnijler, or whether they had been put out of humour at the indelicacy of this perfon, in having
imprudently laid the Englijh under the necefhty of gratifying him in a requeft, which, fituated as they were, they muft have been under difficulties to refufe.
In the afternoon the Malay informed Captain Wilson, that the King was come round into the bay, being on his return to Pelew, and if he wanted to take leave of him he muft go off to his canoe. The Captain accordingly went in the jolly-boat, having with him Tom Rose his iinguift, and four other men. The meeting was, to his great furprize, very cool on the King's part, of courfe referved on that of his own, far unlike, indeed, that undifguifed opennefs-
which
which marked the interview of the preceding day.—And I doubt not but by this time the reader will have Ihared a portion of that concern, for his unfortunate countrymen, which was awakened in their bofoms by this unexpected alteration in the behaviour of the natives. What will he think of the hearts of thefe yet unknown inhabitants of Pelew ?—He will have already loaded them with reproach, and judged, too hardly judged them to be an inconfiflent, faithlefs people, on whom no reliance could be placed, whom no profeffion could bind. —His imagination may have Itarted a multitude of conjectures, yet at laffc will probably fuppofe any thing fooncr than the real caufe which fpread this vifible dejection over their true character. — Never perhaps was exhibited a nobler ftruggje of native delicacy; their hearts burnt within them to alk a favour, which the generofity of their feelings would not allow them to mention.—The Englijh had been and ftill were in their power; they had fought their protection as unfortunate flrangers.—The natives had already fhewn them, and (till meant to lhew them, every mark of hofpitality which their naked, unproductive country could afford.—They conceived that what they wifhed to alk, as it might prove a temporary inconvenience, would look ungenerous; and that which molt checked their fpeaking was, that, circumltanced as the EngUfh were with refpect to them, a requeft would jiave the appearance of a command; an idea this, which
fhocked
fhocked their fenfibility.—The matter they laboured with I?83. was, in their opinions, of the higheft imaginable conle-quence to them. The King had probably talked it over with his brothers the preceding day, had deliberated on it in the evening at the back of the iiland, and came to the cove this day determined to propofe it, but when there, wanted refolution to make it known; yet the object being fo important, he felt unwilling to leave it in filence, and perhaps conceived that he could better difclofe it from his canoe, than when furrounded by fo many EngHjft*—After much apparent ftruggie in the King's mind, the requeft with great difficulty was at laft made, and proved to be this:—that the King being in a few days going to battle againft an iiland that had done him an injury, he wiftied Captain Wilson would permit four or five of his men to accompany him to war with their mufquets. Captain Wilson inftantly replied, that the Engli/Jj were as his own people, and that the enemies of the King were their enemies.—The interpreter, certainly very well translated this declaration, for in an inftant every countenance, which was before overfhadqwedj became brightened and gay. The King faid he fhould want the men in five days, by which time his own people would be prepared for battle, and that he would take them down to Pelew with him the next day. Thus was harmony re-ftored between our people and the natives ; interrupted only for a few hours, from no other caufe than that extreme delicacy of fentiment which no one would have exported to
L have
have found in regions fo disjoined from the reft of the world.
The converfation being at an end, Captain Wilson taking leave returned to acquaint the officers and people on fhore with what had paffed at this conference, which he hoped would meet with their ^approbation. All united in faying that he had acted with great propriety, and feemed happy to find that they were again on the fame good footing with the natives ; therefore, that the King might fee they were ready, and wanted no preparation, the Captain went off once more to inform him, that the men would be at his orders whenever he pleafed. This promptitude pleafed him much, and he in a very diflinct pointed manner told Captain Wilson that he was his brother Rupack, and that he fhould regard the Englifo officers and people as his own people; and that the Captain muft fend his brother, Mr. M. Wilson, again to Pelew, to fee what things were there for Englijbmen to eat, that they might be fent them ; adding, that he would order fome of his carpenters to come and affifl them in building their veffel; but this offer the Captain declined : and having finiihed what he had to fay, he then departed with his attendants to the back of the ifland, notifying that he fhould return for the men the next morning. Captain Wilson, as before, informed his officers and men of all that had pafTed with the Icing.—In the afternoon the ways were laid ; the keel, Item? and ftern-poft fquared, as alfo fome of the floor-timbers.
The
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 75 The King came in the forenoon of the following day 1783.
august.
for the men he had been promifed ; Captain Wilson, Sunday 17. on offering to make one of the number, was refufed by his own people, who declared that he muft not expofe himfelf, as all their fafeties depended on him. Every one of the Englifh exprelfed a readinefs to go, but the five following being young men, and requeuing their comrades with particular earneftnefs to be the firft upon the lift, were thofe who were appointed, viz. Mr. Cum-ming, the third mate, Nicholas Tyacke, James Bluett, Madan Blanchard, and Thomas Dulton ; they alfo took with them Tom Rose as their interpreter; the King and the Chiefs taking each, one of them in their canoes ; our men being drefTed in blue jackets, cocked hats, with light blue cockades, and properly prepared with arms and ammunition. The King made but a fhort flay; he faid he fhould leave four of his own men with our people, that they were fuch as might be trufted, that the expedition would be over in four days, and that all imaginable care fhould be taken of the men whom he carried away. He went away in great friendfhip, making all the Englifh by the hand. Our people accompanied their companions, when they departed, to the water edge, and as they moved from the fhore in the cove, gave them three cheers, the firft of which was only returned by the Englifh \ but the linguift giving Abba Thulle to underftand that this acclamation
L 2 was
1783. was ufed by the Eng/t/b as a farewel, and wifh of fuccefs, the King made all his men Hand up m their canoes and return the fecond and third.
As foon as the natives were gone, the boats were fent to the wreck, but our people did not think it fafe to go on board? as they perceived two canoes there of a larger con-fir action, and feveral fmaller ones in fight, which they fup-pofed to come from the iiland which was then at war with the King; our boats were therefore obliged, very reluctantly, to return empty. During this day our people felled feveral trees for a Item, the one they before had proving rotten in the middle ; and their prefent leifure, added to the little profpect of being interrupted by the natives for fome days, induced them to embrace this opportunity to form the plan of their intended veffel. Mr. Barker, the fecond officer, who had, in the earlier part of life, been con-verfant in the bulinefs of a dock-yard, aflifled Captain Wilson and the carpenters in defigning the veffel, which was now determined mould be a Schooner, as eaiier worked. The plan was fhewn to every body, and approved by all. The petty officers and common men confulcring, that to purfue this interefting bufinefs, every individual muft do his part, and all concur in becoming obedient to the command of one fuperiory who fhould conduct and regulate the whole operation, the affection each had born to their Captain, and ftill bore him, though misfortune had fevered the
tie
THE PELEW ISLANDS, 77 tie between them, made them nnanimouily requeft Captain 1783.
A U G U SI
Wilson to be that one fuperior, and that he would take the command upon him, faithfully promifing that they would, in all things, implicitly obey his orders, equally as when the Antelope was on float*; that fhe now being a wreck, they would form themfelves as a people of a dockyard, and would confuler Captain Wilson (whofe former conduct they faid they fhould ever remember with the warmeft affection) as the mailer, or manager of the yard, and fubmit to fuch laws and regulations as ufually govern places of that kind. Nothing could more affect the fenfibi-lity of fuch a character as Captain Wilson's, than to fee all thofe who had ferved under him, voluntarily again feek him as their Commander, to fhare ftill far feverer toils. With
a degree of joy, only exceeded by his gratitude, he accepted the flattering diftinction their generoiity offered him, ex-preffing at the fame time an earneft wifh, that in cafe any cenfure or punithment fhould hereafter be found neceffary to be paffed on any individual, that this unpleafant office might not reft with him, but be decided by the majority of voices. This alfo was affented to, and all joined in acknowledgments to Mr. Bar.ic.er, wThofe afliftance had been fo effential in forming the plan of the veffel, which their
* As every reader may not be acquainted with maritime proceedings, to fuch it will not be improper to remark, that when a merchant-fhip is wrecked, all authority immediately ceafes, and every individual is at full liberty to fliift for himfelf,
own
78 ANA CC O U N T OF
1783. own carpenters, however affiduous and ready, would not have been equal to. The circumltance ol the Antelope being fixed, and ftuck to the coral reef, by the rock having pierced through her bottom, gave all our people the moft flattering hope, that many ufeful and valuable materials for the purpofe of the new veffel might yet be faved from her, before any returning hard gales mould drive her to pieces. The fpirits of all our people were renovated, nothing pre-fented itfelf to them but the future veffel which was to convey them home; defpondency was chafed from every mind, and each of the Englifh being appointed to his diftinct ftation by their new mailer, having dug up the tools which had been buried previoufly to the King's vifit, as before mentioned, they all went to work with the utmoft alacrity; each determined (unfkilled however he might be) to exert his abilities and perfonal flrength to promote and aid the general plan.—Thofe who were appointed of the carpenter's crew were defired by Captain Wilson to regard Mr. Barker as their director, and to receive from him fuch appoint* ments and directions in that department, as he mould judge molt convenient, after he had experienced their feparate abilities. Mr. Sharp, the furgeon, and Mr. M. Wilson, were appointed to faw down trees, in which employment the Captain often worked himfelf. The boatfwain, who had formerly ferved part of an apprenticefhip to a black-fmith, now refumed his old avocation, aflifted by a mate.
* The
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 79 The gunner was to fee all the arms kept in good order, and 1783.
Aucun
occafionally to aflift the carpenter's crew. The Chinefe were employed as labourers, to bring the trees, when felled, out of the wood ; to provide water for prefent ufe, and fea flore; and two of them appointed to wafli the linen, which though only rinfed in fait water, was a great refrefhment to our people at the clofe of a fultry day, and after fuch fe-verity of bodily toil as few of them before had ever cxpe-perienced.
Notwithftanding the above diftribution, they occafionally changed their employments as circumftances arofe. The getting things out of the fliip at the time fhe ftruck, as well
as the inattention every one had to himfelf in that calamitous moment, as alfo the frequent viliting and getting materials from her after, had expofed many of our people to great bruifes and wounds, on which account Mr. Sharp was occafionally taken off from his new employment of fa wing trees, to his more natural one of adminiftering relief to thofe who flood in need of it.
All arrangements being now fettled, each went to his new department, and worked till dark, at which time all were fummoned to the great tent, where Captain Wilson read prayers; it being the requeft of every one to join in paying unitedly their thankfgivings to that Supreme Being who had not only fo providentially preferved them, frut whofe goodnefs now relieved their drooping fpirits, by
fpreadingi
i783« fpreading before them a hope of their being once more
august.
reftored to their country and families. Each bringing with him a mind impreffed by thefe reflections, never were prayers more devoutly or ardently offered up. And after they were over, it was ordered, that public prayers fhould on no Sunday evening be omitted.
C II A P T E R
Our People continue almoft every Day to fend to the Wreck, and recover a great Variety of Stores.—They form a Barricade, round the Tents, — compleat it,—and continue their Work with the utmoft. Jjfiduity in the Dock Yard, and in advancing the Veffel.
\ GREEABLE to the regulations made the preceding
day, the boatfwain called all hands to their feparate labours, except fuch as were employed in the boats.—It was judged expedient now to form a barricade in front of the
tents towards the fea; this was done by driving a double row of ftrong pofts, interlaced with branches of trees, to form a thick fence, the fpace between the two rows of flakes being filled with logs of wood, ftones, and fand, to render it as folid as pofhble. On the infide was raifed a foot-bank,1 on which they could ftand and fire, in cafe of being attacked,' with an opening left for one of the fix-pounders, which it Was intended fhould be got from the fliip the firft opportunity, and placed there. They alfo mounted two fwivelsf (which were large ones) on the flumps of two trees that had been fawed down, in a manner fo that they might be pointed in every neceffary direction.
1783-
august.
Monday 18,
M
The
/
r783- The boats again vifited the wreck very early, and re-
august. ' *~
Tucfdayi9 turned at three o'clock in the afternoon, bringing two hawfers and fome boards. Some of our people employed in procuring water, which Mas found to be rather a fcarce article.—The barricade was alfo continued.—There was this day little wind, the weather being overcaft, with fome loud clnps of thunder.—One of the natives having ftolen a fmall hatchet, that was carried in the boat to the wreck, was getting off with it in his canoe ; but a mufquct being fired, charged only with powder, in order to frighten him, one of the people, whom the King left, went in the jolly-boat, and made him reflore it.
Wedncfday Though the morning was fhowery, the boats returned
20.
again to the wreck. Thofe on land employed themfelves in carrying on the barricade on the fide of the land, where they were mil affailable. The carpenters fitted the fcarfe of the ftem and flern-poft. About one o'clock the jolly-boat returned with the lower fliroud hawfer, fome plank, copper, and other flores. By her our people were informed, that the King's fon had been on board the wreck, and had fixed a green branch at each mafl-head. The Englijb were impatient for the return of the pinnace, and about three tfdock it arrived. Our people in the jolly-boat had conceived, by the fignals put on the maft-heads, that the King's expedition againft his enemies was over; but thofe in the pinnace rather fuppofed them to be placed there either to
i deter
THE PELEW ISLANDS. $3 deter any of the canoes of the neighbouring iilands from ijif
AUGUST.
coming aboard, or probably as a fignal which might be underftood by the canoes, that ought to have attended the King to battle, that he was departed, and that they fhould follow him (and this was afterwards found to be the cafe) ; but their interpreter being at that time gone with the expedition, they had nothing but their own conjectures to truft to. The afternoon was employed in laying the blocks for the keel; having fixed upon the ground where the veffel mould be built, which was juft without the barricade, in front of the Cove. They had much rain and thunder this evening.
The boats made one trip this day, and brought a good Thmfday
21.
quantity of plank, and fome junk for oakum. They alfo difcovered a cafk of Arrack belonging to Mr. Barker, it was half a leaguer, and having been covered by the flores, had not been perceived when the reft of the liquors were ftaved. This was brought on fhore, and given to Captain Wilson, to ufe at his difcretion; the people were appre-henfive it would be ordered to be ftaved, which the Captain perceiving by their whifpering amongft themfelves, propofed 't fhould be kept, and each perfon have a pint of grog every evening after work was over, until it fhould be expended. This diftribution was approved by all, and the cafk immediately fecured in the tent.
All hands (the morning being fine) were hard at work Friday 22.
M 2 iri
84 ANACCOUNTOF J783* in the dock-yard ; and at ten o'clock they got the keel laid
august, °
on the blocks, and the item and ftern-poft bolted. In the afternoon the boats, which had departed early, returned from the wreck, bringing with them a good deal more plank, two calks of beef in cafk, and more than that quantity loofe, belides fome empty water-cafks, which our people were obliged to be attentive to, in order to fecure enough for their future voyage, the natives having deftroyed feveral of them for the fake of the iron hoops.—Some little murmuring having arofe among thofe who were ftationed to the carpenter's work, the heat of the weather and their new employment having terribly bliftered their hands, and their bodily fatigue added to this, had given birth to the difcontent; in the evening, after fupper, Captain Wilson took occafion to notice the uneafinefs he had difcovered, and how blameable it was .in thofe, who were beft able to labour, to exprefs fuch diffatisfa&ion, when even the weaker!: partook of their {hare in the general toil: and thus, by a proper and well-timed reafoning, every difquiet was fub-dued, and perfect harmony and good-humour reftored.—It was propofed, that all fhould drink to the fuccefs of the Relief, which was the name intended to be given the veffel now begun; and on this pleafant occafion the Captain allotted every man a double allowance of grog. Saturday23. Squally weather; yet the boats brought one of the fix-pounders on fhore. Our people were bulled all day about
the
THE PELEW ISLANDS," 85 the vefTel. By fome canoes feen to-day, it was underflood, 1783.
AUGUST.
that the King was returned to Pelew from the expedition,
Our boats, in their feveral trips, having got as much Sunday 24, plank, and flores as was judged would be fufheient for their prefent wants, all hands were employed about the veffel, and in felling timber. The gunner, with other afliflants, got the fix-pounder mounted on a carriage, and fpunged and fcaled, fit for fervice, which was then fixed in the opening of the barricade prepared for it, fo as to command the entrance of the cove. This day a fmall fpring of water was difcovered in the harbour.
C II A PTER
1783. CHAPTER IX.
AUGUST.
The Five Men, with the Interpreter, who went with the King on his Expedition, return fafe, accompanied by Raa Kook. —The Account of the Succefs of that Expedition.—Raa Kook, in the King's Name, gives the I/land of Oroolong to the Englifli.—Captain Wilson invited by the King to Pelew;—excufes himfelf for the prefent) but fends Mr. Benger, and Mr. M. Wilson, his Brother, with the Lm-guijl, to compliment Abba Thulle on his late Ficlory.— Captain Wilson goes in his Boat round the Ifland.—The Veffel continues to get advanced. — Meffrs. Benger and Wilson return from Pelew.
Monday 25. r I "^HE whole attention of our people was bellowed on the variety of bulinefs neceffary to the advancement of the veffel. As the boats were going off this day to the fhip, they faw four canoes, full of men, coming towards the harbour from the fouthward; and as our people underflood thofe iflands were at variance with the King of Pelew, the boats returned, and foon after thefe canoes came afhore; thofe who were in them landed, with great marks of timidity and caution ; they feemed (as far as we could interpret
their
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 87 their figns) to intimate a defire to look round the cove, and 1783.
AUGUST-
were probably induced to take a view of the new-arrived creatures, whom accident and misfortune had thrown upon this ifland. There was among them a Rupack, who was judged, by the kind of bone on his arm, to be of an inferior order ; but the linguift being abfent, it was impofiible to difeover who they were. Captain Wilson conducted them round the cove, and fhewed them the works which were begun. They remained on fhore little more than an hour, and appeared greatly fatisfied ; departing full of acknowledgments for the civilities which had been fhewii them, neither they or their attendants pilfering, or afking for any thing.
Our people now opened a communication from one tent to the other, through which they might retreat, or join, in cafe of an attack ; and they alfo fettled the plan of defence within the barricade, and each man had his poll affigned him. The reafon of making thefe preparations was, the long fbay the people made who were gone with the King to battle ; they underftood that they would be back in four or five days, and this was the ninth morning they had been abfent. In the afternoon four other canoes were perceived making into the harbour; by the boatmen fplafhing and flourifhing their paddles, our people conceived the King was on board one of them, but to their great fatisfadtion they foon few they were their countrymen returned.—They were welcomed
1783. corned with every teftimony of joy ; and it was no fmall plea-
U G U S T
fure to thofe left on the iiland, to fee them all come back in health and fpirits. They reported they had been very kindly treated ever fince their departure, the natives behaving to them in the moll friendly unreferved manner. The King's brother, Raa Kook, came back with them. The ca-< noes brought great quantities of yams and cocoa-nuts, and the King had given to each of the men who went on this expedition a bafket of fweetmeats, and alfo fent fome bafkets to the Captain; this fweetmeat they diitributed very liberally amongft their countrymen, but it was not much re-liflied, being found dry and hard, inlomuch that the failors gave it the name of Cboak Dog.—But of this I fhall have occafion to fpeak again, when I come to defcribe the cuffoms and manners of the natives.
The following was the account our people gave of their expedition, which was confirmed by Mr. Cummin's journal, who went with them.
Having departed the 17th, they went to one of the King's iflands, about fix leagues to the eafhvard of the cove, where they were received with great kindnefs, and treated with much hofpitality; after remaining there all night, they fet off the next morning for Pelew, the place of the King's refidence, which was in an ifland about three or four miles diflant : here they remained till the 21ft, the King-not being till then able to get together all his canoes; however,
ever, by day-light on the 21ft, they muftered before the I783. King's houfe with their arms, which confifted of bamboo A u G u s T darts from five to eight feet long, pointed with the wood of the beetle-nut tree and bearded; thefe they ufe for clofe quarters, but they have lhort ones for diftance, which they throw with a fhort flick of about two feet long, having a notch cut in it to receive the point of the dart, and place their hand at the other extremity of the dart, which, being-made of bamboo, is elaftic and compreffed into a curve, proportioned to the diftance they aim at, and being then fuffered to fpring, in general it comes down perpendicular on the object to which it is directed.
The EngliJJj embarked in five different canoes, and went away to the eaflward about ten or twelve leagues, calling as they weilt along at feveral of the King's villages to refrclh and reinforce; at half an hour pafl two in the afternoon, they got in fight of the enemy. The King had with him now a fleet of one hundred and fifty canoes, on board of Which were conlidcrably above one thoufand men. Of the enemy's force our people could form no certainty. Before the action, Raa Kook went in his canoe clofe to the town, and fpoke to the enemy for fome time, having Thomas Dulton in the boat with him, who had directions not to fire till fuch time as the fignal agreed on fhould be given him. What the General faid, being received by the
N enemy
90 ANAGCOUNTOF i783« enemy with great indifference, Raa Kook threw a fpear at
AUGUST.
them, which they almoft immediately returned : this being the fignal for firing, was inflantly obeyed ; a man was feen to fall directly, and this threw the enemy into great confufion. Such as were on fhore ran away, and the greater part of thofe in the canoes jumped into the water and made for land ; a few more mufquets were fired, which difperfed the enemy intirely : and our friends feemed perfectly fatisfied with their putting them to flight, and in this mark of victory, but made no other ufe of it than to land, ftrip fome cocoa-nut trees of their fruit, and carry off fome yams and other provifion. After this fight, or more properly this attack, the fleet returned homeward, the King being highly pleafed with his triumph. They flopped at feveral places in their way, where the women brought out fweet liquor for the people to drink; and it being too far to get home that night, the fleet difperfed up feveral fmall creeks, about eight o'clock in the evening, where they flept. The next morning feafls were prepared in all the neighbouring houfes, and at three in the afternoon the people re-embarked, and fet off for Pelew, where they arrived fafe about feven the fame evening.—Here alfo they found the women ready to receive them, with cocoa-nut fliells filled with fweet liquor. On landing, the Engli/Jj fired a volley, and gave three cheers, with which the King appeared greatly pleafed. Here our 8 people
people ileptj and were told that they muft ftay and reft them- 1783.
Aucun
felves the next day, and fet off for their iiland the day fucceeding. There was nothing but rejoicing and feftivity in the town the next morning, and the reft of the day was paffed with hilarity, and celebrated with fongs and dances made on the occafion.
Before our people embarked, the King took them to his houfe, treated them with fome ftcwed turtle, expreff-ed great fatisfadtion in their behaviour, and promifed to fend to their iiland fupplies of yams; afking them if they thought Captain Wilson would again fpare him ten men to go againft the fame people, intimating alfo a deiign he had againft another iiland; Mr. Cummin declined giving an anfwer to this queftion, laying he could undertake nothing without the Captain's orders.—After breakfaft the King went down to the water-fide with the Englifh, where he parted with them in a very kind manner, fending two large canoes laden with yams for the reft of their countrymen. They then paffed over to the fmall ifland where they had firft landed, and walked acrofs it with the General, who accompanied them, and who ordered the canoes to go round to the other fide; they were now conducted to their firft night's habitation, where their old friends received them (if pofhble) more hofpitably than before ; both fexes flocking about them, and making figns to exprefs their knowledge of the defeat of the King's enemies. Here
N a they
1783. they ftaid the night, and after a paffage this morning of fiver
AUGUST.
hours, rejoined their fhipmates, to the mutual fatisfaclion of all.
The Arrack having been found during the time our countrymen had been abfent, at their return they were ferved the liquor due to them, in the proportion that it had been ufed at the tents in their abfence, which they invited their comrades to partake of in the evening, and this, with the yams and cocoa-nuts they brought, made a feaft.—Thofe who had been abfent were exceedingly rejoiced to fee the harbour and tents put in a ftate of defence; but, above all, at the progrefs in the veffel, wherein all the future hopes of every individual were already in imagination embarked. Tuefday26. At day-break the boatfwain, as ufual, piped all out to their feparate departments ; and thofe who had been at the war, having depofited with the gunner their military weapons, moft willingly joined in the convention which had been made in their abfence, and entered on their different talks.
Raa Kook having informed Captain Wilson the preceding night, that his brother, Abba Thulle, had given to him, for the Englifh, the ifland he was then on, the name of which they had not heard before, but now learnt it was called Oroolong ; after breakfaft, Captain Wilson, in testimony of the King's donation, hoifted the Britijh pendant, and fired three vollies of fmall arms, in token of their taking
mg poffeflion, of it for the EngliJJj.—Our people faying, as 1783. they returned in the canoes from Pelew, that the natives AUCU*'1 were conftantly pointing to the iiland, calling it Eng/i/h, and Englijhmen\ land, the King had fent his brother to make known to Captain Wilson this grant of the ifland, as alfo to give the Captain an invitation to Pelew he excufed himfelf for the prefent, having fo much to attend to at Oroolong ; but fent Mr. Benger, who had been Firft Mate of the Antelope, and his brother, Mr. M. Wilson, with the linguift, Tom Rose, and one of the China-men,, who were accompanied by the General, Raa Kook, to compliment the King upon his victory, and to prefent the reflects of himfelf and all his countrymen on the occafion. The reafon of Captain Wilson's fending one of the China-men was this, that he might notice more particularly the produce of the country, and examine if there might not be vegetables good to eat which the natives overlooked, or did not attend to; he alfo gave him in charge to be very accurate in obferving if they had not plants at Pelew limilar to thofe in his own country. The Chinefe being all tolerable Botanifis, and living fo much on vegetables, that turn a China-man on any fpot, he would contrive to pick a meal for himfelf from it. The truth of this remark Captain Wilson had experienced from repeated voyages he had made to China, as well as from the general character of thofe people.
This afternoon, after feeing one of the frame timbers up,
the
*783- the Captain went round his new ifland in the jolly-boat, in
AUGUST.
order to oblerve its fhorcs, and its external appearance. He found the fouth fide of it almoft a perpendicular rock, covered with wood, among which he obferved abundance of the cabbage-tree, but growing in places inacceflible from the water.—The welt fide had a fair fandy beach, and fome level ground between the fea and the hills.—It was here where the well was, whence our people brought their water; and many traces of antient plantations were found, fufhcient to demon-ftrate that the ifland had formerly been inhabited.—The northern part is a fteep rock covered with trees. As the boat rowed along its fide they had often breezes from it, wafting a molt fweet and agreeable fmell. On the eaft lide was the bay and harbour, which lay eaft and weft; it was judged the whole circumference of the ifland did not exceed three miles ; the coming in from the coral reef is to keep right for a fmall opening which feparates the ifland of Oroo-■ long from an uninhabited ifland to the eaftward of it, until the bay opens, then haul up weft into the harbour; the courfe before will have been about fouth.
Wedncfday The morning being fine, the jolly-boat was difpatched to 27.
the watering-place to fetch fome timbers for futtocks, and
• • ♦
to haul the feine; but no fifh could be caught. Some hands
were fent to try to procure fome cabbages, in which they
fucceeded; they were dreffed for fupper, and found to be
very good.—Some of our people, who had been cutting timber
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 95 ber at the watering-place, inflead of coming back in the 1783-
A U G U S T«
jolly-boat with their companions, chofe to return home over land, and the evening being far advanced, they narrowly efcaped with their lives.—The jolly-boat returning to the tents when it was dark, brought an account, that thefe men (who intended to come over land) had fet out fome time before the boat; and it being then late, and no tidings of them, much uneafinefs was entertained on their account. People were immediately fent out with lanterns to go in queft of them, who as they went on, every now and then hallooed.—The voices being heard, and known, the benighted travellers very prudently halted till the lights they had difcovered at a diftance came up with them; and molt fortunate it was that they did fo, for when their ihipmates arrived they found them on the edge of a dreadful precipice, where, had they advanced a few iteps further, they muft inevitably have plunged to the bottom. All were happy to fee them return after fo great an efcape.—This evening Arra Kooker arrived, and palfed the night with our people ; he brought with him all his fpirits and gaiety, and entertained them wonderfully with the pieafant defcription he gave of the late engagement, acting, with his accuftomed humour and geftures, the panic which feized the enemy the uiftant they heard the report of the Englifh guns.
The pinnace was fent off to the wreck tofearch if no fur- Thurfday ther neceffaries could be ftill recovered.—Captain Wilson Went to the top of the hill above the tents, and had a fpot of
ground
1783. ground cleared, in order to ufe it as a look-out or obferva-
AUGUST. t,r
tory, to fee if a pailage could be diicovered in the reef. On examination, it was thought that there was apparently a good one, right out from the weft point of the iiland.—It had hitherto been a great doubt among our people, whether a velfel of the fize theirs muft be (though intended to be no larger than was neceifary to convey themfelves and provifions in fafety to China) would be able to find a paf-fage through the reef capable of allowing her to float over. Arra Kooker left the iiland this day, and another frame timber was got up.—The Chinefe were bufied in wafhing the few clothes that were faved. Friday 29. The weather cloudy; no canoes at the ifland. —The boatfwain employed in making a main-fail for the velfel out of the remains of the fails that had been faved.—The jolly-boat made three trips for timber to-day, which being cut down at the back of -the ifland and roughed off, they could eafdy manage to bring round.—It was found that the tides rofe about nine feet upon the fpring, and it was high-water about nine o'clock upon the full and change of the moon. About four P. M. Mr. Benger, Mr. Wilson, and the Chinaman, returned in a canoe, and foon after Raa Kook with the linguift in another. Mr. Benger brought an account, that they were received and treated by the King and his people with the moft perfect: friendfhip and hofpitality; that they were conftantly praifing the power and exploits of the Englifh, to whom they afcribed the fuccefs in the late battle;
tie; repeating the word Englees incefiantly in their fongs, AUI^8u3'STi at their dances and rejoicings, which he faid were not then over ; and that they were meditating another expedition, more formidable than the laft, in which they meant to rely on the afliflance of the Englifh.—Mr. Ben-ger faid their houfes were tolerably good, with plantations of yams and cocoa-nuts about them; that the foil appeared to be rich and fertile; that they have neither corn, or cattle of any kind, nor did he fee much fruit or produce of any great ufe or value.— The China-man alfo added, " that this have very poor place, and very poor peo-** pie; no got cloaths, no got rice, no got hog, no got nothing, " only yam, little fijh, and cocoa-nut; no got nothing make " trade, very little make eat''' This fellow's defcription, which I have given in his own words, fufhciently lhewed that he viewed mankind with the eye of a Dutchman, only calculating what was to be got from them.—The mind of a fpeculative reader is far otherwife engaged; he, in the difperfed families of the world, traces the hand of Providence guiding all things with unerring wif-dom.—He marks it balancing with equal fcale its blef-fings to the children of men; and confiders human nature, however unadorned, when dignified by virtuous Simplicity, as one of the nobleft objects of contemplation.
0
CHAPTER
1783.
auoust, CHAPTER X.
A Paffage is difcovered through the Coral Reef, fufficient to carry out the Veffel when completed. — Captain Wilson, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Devis, and Mr. Henry Wilson, go to Pelew to vifit the King.—An Account of the Hofpitality with which they were received.—Some Defcription of the Manners of the Natives, and their Mode of Living.—Mr. Sharp is requefied to go into the Country to fee a ftck Child of one of the Rupacks, which be does, and returns to Pelew.
Saturday r I 1H E morning proved fo wet that our people could not 3°* -** ftand out to work, but were employed in the tents. Raa Kook fent away fome of the canoes which came with him, detaining only fuch as were to carry Captain Wilson down to Pelew.-.—The Malay, who had been the interpreter to the natives, and whofe name was Soogell, being on fhore, took a compafs, and pointing to the S. S. W. faid, that five days fail from Oroolong, on that point of the compafs, was the place he came from, which he called Mo-nado; that there were about forty Butch people there, abundance of pepper, and plenty of hogs and poultry. Pie faid 5 Monado
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 99 Monado was three days fail from Bat a via ; that when he 1783.
AUGU51
left Batavia they had three vefTels or proas, that two of them parted company, and that the one he was on board of, going from Monado to Tep,nate, was driven by a hard gale of wind hither, where they were wrecked. Our people fuppofed there was much falfhood in this fellow's account, and, from converfations their own linguift had with him, they fufpected thefe people had been Malay pirates, which they afterwards had confirmed, by one of them who was brought to England.—In the afternoon Mr. Cummin was fent in the jolly-boat, to try for the paffage through the reef which was thought to have been difcovered the day before, from the look-out above the tents. Captain Wilson* took up fome men, and cleared ftill more the fpot intended for an obfervatory.—The jolly-boat returned, after having been without the reef through a narrow paffage, in which they found at low-water three feet and a half of water, and, as it rofe eight or nine feet upon a fpring-tide, it was judged there muft be at thofe times twelve feet of water, which would be almoft double the draught of the Schooner when finifhed.—This was an information which revived every one's hopes, and made all our people look forward with frefh fpirits. Intelligence was alfo brought, that they had found feven fathom water immediately without the reef, and three fathom within in the fhoaleft part, which was a Harrow bank of fand that formed a bar.—Thefe obfervations
O 2 were
ioo ANACCOUNTOF l7%3- were taken at low-water, or when very little flood was
AUGUST.
made.
Sunday 31. The Captain having fixed this day for his going to vifit the King at Pelew, as foon as all had breakfafted, he read prayers in the tent; Raa Kook, with fuch of the natives as were waiting to accompany him, attended divine fervice, and were moft exceedingly attentive, following exactly what they faw our people did, in riling or kneeling, except that inftead of kneeling they would fquat down on their hams. After prayers were ended, Captain Wilson took leave of his people, taking with him Mr. Sharp, Mr. Devis, and his fon Mr. Henry Wilson; they went in the jolly-boat; the General accompanying him in his canoe. They left the tents about eight o'clock in the morning. At noon as they approached the little iiland which lies about three or four miles in the fea off Pelew ; they obferved Raa Kook's canoe, paddling away at a great rate to get a-head of them; he jufc flept on fhore at a little town fituated by the water edge, and foon returned to meet them, directing their courfe to the leeward of the ifland, where they were met by another canoe, laden with yams, cocoa-nuts, and fweet meats, to refrefh them on their paffage. This explained immediately the reafon of the General's quitting them fo fuddenly, which they now perceived was merely to indulge his hofpitable difpofition, and from his anxiety left our
people fhould be fatigued for want of refrefhment. Every
one
B.:B
one partook of this entertainment, and then proceeded; and 1783.
AUCUSl
reached the iiland of Pelew about one o'clock in the afternoon.
As Pelew came in fight, the jolly-boat hoiftcd EngliJJj colours, and fired three mufquets; which were anfwered, as they approached nearer the more, by a white flag fluck on a pole; this was conceived to have been fuggefted by the Malay, and proved to be fome of the white cloth that had been given to the King. Raa Kook having quitted his canoe, came into the jolly-boat; and our people, on landing, fired three mufquets more, after having hoifted their colours, and fixed them in the ground oppofite a houfe clofe to the water-fide, at the end of the caufe way where they came on fhore ; to which houfe our people were conducted by Raa Kook, to wait the King's coming, he having difpatched a meffenger to notify the Captain's arrival.
Before the King appeared, fome of the natives were fent down with refrefhments; they firft brought a large tureen, made of wood, in the fhape of a bird, and inlaid with Ihell, this was full of fweet drink ; they alfo brought a X>ainted ftand, about two feet in height, inlaid in the fame manner as the tureen, upon which were fweetmeats gar-niihed with Seville oranges ; next came a bafket of boiled yams, followed by another of young cocoa-nuts; thefe were all placed in a kind of order, preparatory to the
King's
1723- King's coming*. On his arrival Captain Wilson rofe,
VGVST,
and embraced him, as he had done at their firft interview. Abba Thulle fat down by him, and they were then ferved with the before-mentioned provilions, by a man who feemed to act as a butler, and gave to each a portion, by the King's directions. After this entertainment was over, Captain Wilson offered him the prefent he had brought, which confiited of fome iron-hoops, fome necklaces made . of gold and filver lace, tied with ribband at each end; to which he meant to have added a few files, but one of the natives purloined them from the perfon who had them in charge.
The King came down without any flate, and feemed only attended by thofe whom curiofity to fee the EngliJJj had brought together; the houfe, and every part about it, was thronged with the natives, to fee our Captain, who had dreffed himfelf in the Company's uniform.
After the repaft was ended, Mr. Devis, who was a draughtfman, being ftruck with the appearance of a woman who was prefent, took out a piece of paper, and was making a fketch of her figure ; which, before he had completed, the lady noticing that he had repeatedly looked her earncflly in the face, and marked fomething down, was
* It was very remarkable, that, thronged as the houfe was, and every avenue to it, yet as foon as it was known that the King was approaching, the moft profound and jeyereiUial filence was prefcived.
tliftrcffed
diftrefTed at it, and rofe up to go away, in appearance very 1783.
AUGUST,
much agitated; nor could fhe be perfuaded to flay, although fome of the Rupacks prefent laughed heartily at her alarm; which led our people to conceive that fhe was the wife of one of them. A Rupack looking over Mr. Devis's flioul-der, feemed pleafed at the reprefentation, or likenefs, and wifhed to hand it up to the King; who fo readily entered into a true idea of the art, that he immediately fent a mef-fenger to order two of his women to come down to the houfe where he was: they arrived very foon, and placed themfelves at the window fronting where Mr. Devis was feated, at which thefe ladies could ftand without being feen lower than the wailt;—perceiving, as they looked into the houfe, a fmile on every countenance, they at firft appeared pleafed themfelves, and the King told them the reafon why he had fent for them ; but foon noticing Mr. Devis fixing his eyes earneftly on them, they did not know what to make of the bufinefs, and began to look exceedingly grave. The King then feemed to chide them, on which they flood quiet, and rather affumed an eafier air. Mr. Devis having finifhed his fketches, prefented them to the King, he Ihewed them immediately to his women, who feemed pleafed ^n viewing on paper a fancied likenefs of themfelves, and appeared as if a little afhamed at having been fo foolifhly and unneceffarily diftreifed.
The King then defired Mr. Devis to lend him a piece of
paper,
I/8J' paper, and his pencil, on which he attempted to delineate
AUGUST;
three or four figures, very rudely, without the leaft proportion; their heads, inftead of an oval, being in a pointed form like a fugar-loaf. Nor let any one conclude from this circumftance, that the King was oftentatious to exhibit the little knowledge he poffeffed of the art; I rather mention it as a proof of his opennefs of temper, to let Mr. Devis fee that he was not totally ignorant of what was meant by it; nor was it lefs a mark of his condefceniion, in fhe wing he could very imperfectly trace what the artift was able more happily to delineate. Ke approved in the ftranger thofe talents he would himfelf have been ambitious to pofTefs, and in his manner of teflifying his approbation, exhibited in captivating colours that which no pencil could difplay— the urbanity of a noble mind.
The King now fignihed to his guefls, that he would conduct them up to the town ; they expreffed their readi-nefs to attend him, and ordered their colours to be raifed and carried before them, wifhing to imprefs on the natives what little idea of ceremony their forlorn fituation could admit of. Pelew is hardly more than a qviarter of a mile from the fhore; they afcended a bank into a wood, led by the King and Raa Kook, and followed by a great concourfe of people. Having paffed the Wood, they found themfelves on a fine broad caufe way, or pavement, with rows of trees on each fide, forming a grove; this caufeway was raifed
about
730736
about two feet above the level of the ground, and was about ten feet in width, having a broad flat ftone running along the middle, for the greater conveniency of walking; it was paved on each lide with ftones of a fmaller fize, and lefs worked ; this caufeway led to the town, and then parted to the right and left; the one conducting to where fome of their boat-houfes were erected, the other to their bathing-place.
Having now reached Pelew, they came into a large fquare pavement, round which were feveral houfes; our people were conducted to one that Hood in the centre of one of the fides. Out of this houfe iffued a number of women, who were waiting to fee thefe new Beings the ILngliJh, and whom they foon underilood were the wives of fome of the RupackS) or great officers of ftate ; thefe were rather fairer than the reft of the women, had fome little ornaments about them, and their faces and breafts were rubbed over with turmeric.
The King, and his brother Raa Kook, led his guefts into this houfe, into which the women returned, and received them with much joy, prefenting their company with cocoa-nuts, and fweet drink, which all fat down and partook of. The ladies alfo feated themfelves, and taking a parcel of leaves, began making mats; an employment in which they pafs a great part of their time. The King informed his cmefts that this houfe was to be their abode as
P long
io6 ANAGCOUNTOF
1783. long as they remained at Pelew, and that there they were to fleep. After which he rofe up, and withdrew, previoully apologizing to Captain Wilson for retiring, faying he was going to bathe. Soon after a meffage came to Raa Kook, from the Queen, to requeft fhe might fee the "Englijb at her dwelling; they attended the General thither, through a pathway from the back of the houfe where they were, which led into a grove of cocoa-nut trees; having croffed the grove, they came to a fmall retired habitation, in the front of which was a fquare, formed with paved ftone, furrounded alfo with cocoa-nut trees. Immediately before this houfe was a rail, on which were fome tame pigeons, tied by the leg. This is a bird held in fuch eftimation in thefe iflands, that none but the Rupacks, and their families, are allowed to eat of them. As they approached, the Queen opened her window, and fpoke to Raa Kook, to defire the Engli/h would fit down on the pavement before her ; which being complied with, a number of attendants brought out yams, cocoa-nuts, and fweet drink ; and whilft they were partaking of thefe the Queen afked Raa Kook many queftions about our people, and then fent them one broiled pigeon (which they drefs without drawing) that every one might have a bit to tafte; giving them to underftand, that this was the greateft rarity that the country produced. She took very great notice of the Englifh, and wifhed fome of them would come clofe to the
a window,
THE PELEW ISLANDS, 107 window, and draw dp their coat-ileevcs, that fhe might fee J783-
9 1 7 ° AUGUST.
the colour of their fkin; after fhe had viewed them attentively, and afked, through the General, as many circurnftan-ces reflecting them as fhe thought fhe could with propriety obtrude, fhe iignified that fhe would not longer trefpafs on their time by detaining them; fo they rofe and took leave of her P.
The General now told them he wifhed to conduct them to his own houfe, which was a little diftant from the firft fquare, where the King had allotted them their habitation.— At the houfe of this Chief they were received quite in a family way, without any form; they were obliged juft to tafte of what was fet before them, though their appetites had been fufficicntly taken away by partaking of fo many
entertainments before. Raa Kook's wife brought them in a broiled pigeon, which they, out of compliment, eat a bit of, for the honour done them. — In this domeftic fcene Raa Kook appeared in a new and amiable light; it was a fituation which placed to their view that benevolent heart of his they had themfelves before frequently noticed.—Here he was furrounded by feveral of his children, two of whom were very young, and feemed almoft of the fame age; they were climbing up his knees and
* This lady feemed to have a greater degree of refpe£t and attention paid her than any other of the King's wives j fhe never went abroad, and her houfe was the King's general refulence.
carefling
i783- car effing him, whilft he feemed to enjoy great pleafure in
AUGUST.
rolling and tolling them about, and playing with them, handing them to our people, that they might alfo notice and play with them.
Whilft the attention of Captain Wilson and his companions had been engaged by this interefting fcene, the night had crept faft on them, and it being now quite dark they requeftcd leave to retire ; Raa Kook apologized for not waiting on them home, but ordered one of his own people and the Malay to conduct them back.
Being arrived at their allotted dwelling, they learnt that the King had been there after his bathing, but underftanding they were gone abroad with his brother, he had retired to his own houfe, but had fent them fome fifh for fupper.—After fupper Raa Kook fent mats for them to fleep on, and called himfelf before he went to reft, to fee if they were fupplied with every thing they flood in want of, and which it was in his power to offer.—Our people repofed on thefe mats at one end of the houfe, the King having ordered fome of his own men to fleep at the other end, to protect them from any inconveniency which might arife from the curiofity of the natives, as well as to watch the fires, made to keep them from the dews and mofquitos. They all repofed very well, in the fulleft degree fatisfied with the great attention and kind-nefs of their new friends.—The night proved both windy and wet, but they found their habitation perfectly dry; their
houfes
THE PELEW ISLANDS, 109 houfes being fo well thatched, that the weather rarely is 1^3-
SEPTEMBER
able to penetrate them.
Raa Kook called on them very early in the morning; in Monday 1, all his viiits he wore on his countenance fuch a look of good-humour and congratulation as more than told our people he rejoiced to fee them.—He never feated himfelf clofe, but at fome fmall diftance from them, which is regarded in thefe parts as a mark of refpect.—He told them he was going to bathe, and they went down to the fhore to fee if their boat and its iron-work was fafe.—On their return, the Captain and his companions received a meffage to breakfaft with the King.—They were conducted to the houfe where, the preceding evening, they had been to pay their refpects to the Queen. It confifted of one great room, not boarded on the
floor, as is the ufual cuftom there, but covered with bamboos laid and faliened down collaterally, with fcarce any fpace between.—At one end of this room was the kitchen, where the fervants were bufied in preparing breakfaft, but without any partition to feparate the kitchen.—At the oppo-fite end ran a high rail, with a large mat loofely laid over it. — Some attendants who were prefent, delired our people to feat themfelves; which, when they had done, the King pulled down the mat, and difcovered himfelf and the Queen feated behind it. — As this trifling ceremony had fome-what of an air of ftate that had never been lhewn before, nor was on any future occafion exercifed, they fufpected that
this
i783- this mode of the King's receiving the Englifh was fomethnic*
•SEPTEMBER. °
the Malay had put into his head, and which the King probably found fo clumfy and fooliui that he never adopted it. again.—They had boiled fifh and yams placed before them; and during breakfaft the King fhewed Captain Wilson a large piece of chintz, which the Malay had faved when he was wrecked, and had given him.—He feemed to admire it much, and when it had been looked at, he folded it up again very nicely in a mat; having only produced it as being to him a great curiofity.
During the time of breakfaft the King talked much with the Malay, who after it was over told Mr. Sharp that Abba Thulle wifhed he would go a little way into the country, without declaring for what purpofe.—Mr. Sharp hefitatcd, till Mr. Devis offered to accompany him; the King faid a perfon would prcfently be there to condu£l them, who, when he came, appeared to be one of the Rupacks who had been with them at Oroolong at the King's firft coming, when they individually fixed their notice on fome one of our people ; a circumftance which then occafioned fome alarm, as has before been mentioned . And this Chief proved to be the perfon who had particularly noticed Mr. Sharp as his friend or Sucalic (a term the natives gave it.)
Mr. Sharp and Mr. Devis, accompanied by the inter-
1
preter, put themfelves cheerfully under the guidance of *
* See page 57.
this
this Rupack, whofe name was Arra ZookJ they had 17$3. not proceeded far, after getting off the caufeway, he- SEPT£MBEJ fore they met with Captain Wilson's fervant, who was flraggling about with his gun to kill fome fowl for dinner. The Rupack made figns to him to join company, which he did, on being informed by Mr. Sh arp that he was going where the King had fent him. As they went over the hills, they paffed feveral pleafant villages, and a valley beautifully cultivated with plantations of cocoa-nuts and yams, forming from the fummit a moft rich and delicious prof-peel:. When they had got nearly three miles from Pelew, the heat, was fo oppreflive, that Mr. Sharp and his companions expreffed an inclination to return back ; but the dif-appointment which appeared in the countenance of the
Rupack who had conducted them, made both gentlemen judge it advifeable not to crofs his wifhes.—They therefore proceeded about a mile and a half further, when they arrived at a plantation, at the end of which ftood his houfe. He folicited them to enter, when various refrefhments were placed before them. He then introduced his wife and his children; and fhewed Mr. Sharp a child that was afflicted with fome bad ulcers, from a kind of boils, a diforder which he faid was common to the people there; and informed Mr. Sharp what applications he had himfelf ufed to bis child, which were chiefly fomentations, made with certain leaves ; and that occafionally, after the inflammatory
fymptoms
*783- fymptoms were abated, he had put a little of their chinarn
SEPTEMBER^
into the wound to eat away the proud flefh.—Mr. Sharp, who, fituated as he was, could not undertake to repeat his attendance, thought it beft to advife the Rupack to the continuance of the remedy the child had been accuftomed to; and now perceiving the reafon why this vilit was folicited, after remaining there a proper time, he and Mr, Devis intimated their wifh to return back ; but the Rupack told them that his people were at work for them, and that they muft not depart till the bufinefs they were about was done. They now perceived the hofpitality of Arra Zook was not confined to the tranlient entertainment he had already fpread before them. His people prefently appeared, loaded with yams and cocoa-nuts, packed up in large bafkets; and alio baikets of fweetmeats, which they had made frefh for them while they had been in his houfe. The Rupack told them that his people fhould carry all thefe bafkets to the King's town, that they might there be put into a boat to be given to their friends at Oroolong.—Charmed with the character of their liberal hoft, Mr. Sharp and his companions took their leave, teftifying their thankfulnefs for the kindnefs he had fhewn them; whilft the good man ftood affuring them of the joy they had afforded him and his family in coming to his houfe, and how truly they had obliged him by looking at his poor fick child. As the Rupack accompanied them to the door, oppofite to it, on a rail (as before
defcribed
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 113 defcribed at the Queen's houfe) was his rooft of tame pi- i783-
SEPTEMBER.
geons; not thinking he had fufficicntly gratified his liberal fpirit, he gave them at parting a look of the warmefl benevolence, and told them, when their fliip was built, they fhould have all his pigeons to carry with them.
Thefe gentlemen returned to Pelew, followed by the fervants of Arra Zook with the prefents of their mailer.-— Captain Wilson had in the mean time paid a vifit to Raa Kook, where he was fhewn three iron travellers, which fome of the natives had got from the wreck ; the General faid the Engtifh fhould have them again, and the Captain in return promifed to give him a hatchet.
Such are the little pleafurable barters of life, when life is governed by fimplicity alone, and the eflimation objects are
held in, is only proportioned to their real utility !
C II A P T E R
I783. CHAPTER XL
SEPTEMBER*
Further Account of the Natives of Pelew.—A Council of State is held, at the Breaking up of which the King requejls of Captain Wilson ten Men to go with him on a fecond Expedition againft the fame Enemy—zvhicb is agreed to.—Defer ip-tion of the Dance of the Warriors.—Our People return to Oroolong, find their Countrymen well, and in great Unanimity advancing the Veffel.—The ten Men felecled who were to attend the King to Battle.
Monday u rT^ H 1 s daY a great council was held, in the forenoon, in the open air, on the large fquare pavement near the houfe allotted the Englifh. it conilfted of a number of Rupacks, or Chiefs, feated each on a fingle ftone, placed near the outer border of the pavement; that for the King was more elevated than the reft ; and clofe to the fide of it was a ftone ftill higher, on which he occafionally refted his arm : when in their places, they are encircled by officers of inferior rank. They debate from fide to fide, on whatever fubject happens to be under difcuflion, and it was underftood that the plurality of opinions determined the matter before
them.
them. In the prefent cafe it did not require the knowledge of their language to difcover the bufinefs they were on ; as the houfe in which the Captain and his companions were, looked full on their council; and their geftures, as well as
the frequent repetition of the words Knglces and Artin-gall, left our people no room to doubt but that they had been the fubject of their deliberation.—After the council broke up, the King, attended by the linguift, came to the houfe where the Engli/b were, and requefted Captain Wilson would permit ten of his men to go with him to battle, againft the fame enemy as before. Captain Wilson replied to the King nearly as he had done before, " that the EngliJJj u were his friends, and would regard thofe who were his u enemies, as being enemies of their own." This reply
greatly pleafed the King. The Captain defiring to know the caufe of the war, Abba Thulle informed him, through the linguift, that fome time back, at a feftival at Artin-gall, one of his brothers, and two of his Chiefs, had been killed, and that the two iflands had been at war ever fince ; the people of Artingall, fo far from making any fatif-faction, had protected the murderers. Captain Wilson in-treated that his people might not be detained at Pelew longer than was necefTary, as it would greatly retard the building of his veffel. The King anfwered, " that be could " not in decency fend them back the moment he had'had} their " fervices, but. that he would keep them only two or three
" days,
J78s- " days, that they might be made gay, and rejoice with his own
SEPTEMBER.
" people after fubduing his enemies?
In the afternoon the King took Captain Wilson and his companions to fee fome canoes that were then building; and mewed them alfo fome of their boat-houfes, which were well conftructed, nicely thatched, and not unlike thofe that are made in England. From hence they were carried to fee fome other canoes, which were jufl come in from an expedition they had been fent on by themfelves, and from which, after four days abfence, they had returned victorious,, having brought in one canoe of the enemy, though not a lingle prifoner. The obtaining a canoe, however trifling it may appear to a reader, is equal to the capture of the largefl fliip of war in Europe; as their battles are generally fought near fhore, and, when there is no appearance of fuc^efs, they get to land and haflily haul up their canoes.
In the evening our people were entertained with a dance of the warriors, who were jufl then returned, which was performed in the following manner:—The dancers have a quantity of plantain leaves brought to them, which they fplit, and fhiver into the form of ribbands,, thefe they then twine and fix round their heads, wrifls, waifls, ankles, and knees, and the leaves being of a yellowini hue, fo prep-red, have not an inelegant effect when applied to their dark copper fkin. They make alfo bunches or taffels of the fame, which they hold in their hands. When drawn out, they form themfelves into
circles
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 117 circles of two or three deep, one within another. In general 1783.
, i , SEPTEMBEI
an elderly man amongft them begins fomethmg like a fongr or long fentence, in a very folemn tone, for our countrymen could not difcriminate which it was, and when he comes to a paufe, or what we fhould call the end of a ftanza, a chorus is ftruck up, and the dancers all join in concert, ftill continuing their figure. Their dancing does not fo much con-fift in capering or agility, as in a particular method they have of balancing themfelves, and this frequently very low fideways, ringing together all the while ; during which, they will flatten their circles, fo as to bring themfelves face to face to each other, lifting up the taflels they hold in their hands, and giving them a clafhing or tremulous motion; after this there will be a hidden, paufe, and an exclamation
from every voice, Weil} Then a new fentence or ftanza is repeated, and danced to as before, and the fame ceremony continued, till every man who is engaged in the dance has in his turn had his repetition and chorus.
During this feftivity two large tubs of fweet drink were brought in, which were ferved out, firft to the EngliJJj and the principal people prefent, who juft tailed it, and then the tubs were carried to the warriors ; and when the dance was ended, they all fat down upon the fquare, and the drink was ferved out to them by four perfons who feemed to be people of note, having bones upon their wrifts ; the warriors then removed to a houfe, at which a fupper was prepared for
them,
1783. them, where they continued dancing moll part of the night,
SEPTEMBER.
but when it grew dark the ILngliftj retired to their own habitation.
The night proved very wet and windy; our people the Tuefday 2. next morning breakfafted with the King, and after break-fail: Captain Wilson acquainted him, that as foon as the weather would permit he intended to return to Oroolong ; to which he was pleafed to agree. The wind being unfavourable, Mr. Sharp took the Captain to fee the Rupack, whofe child he had villted the preceding day. They paffed many fine plantations of cocoa-nuts, yams, and beetle-nuts; and alfo obferved a tree with a large fruit on it, which the natives call Rfdmally but the linguift who was with them faid it was called by the Malays, Parfgey; our people thought it the bread-fruit.—Arra Zook received them with great joy, brought them water to wafh their feet before they went into the houfe, gave them mats to fit down on, made them freih fweetmeats, and fet before them a kind of fherbet. Our people's complexion as much excited the furprize and admiration of this Rupack's neighbours and houfehold, as it had before done their firft vifitors at Oroolong.
After experiencing once more this good man's hofpita-lity, they returned to Pelew, where the warriors had renewed their dances. In the afternoon Captain Wilson and his friends took another ramble into the country, but in a contrary direction to the courfe they had purfued in the
morning.
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 119 morning. All the way they went appeared to be equally l783.
n 1 • -. •■. 1 r- i c ii SEPTEMBER..
well cultivated as what they had feen before, and rather fuller of inhabitants. Wherever they paffed they obferved the lower rank of women employed in looking after the plantations of yams, which are generally in fwampy ground. They obferved the women were alfo employed in making mats and bafkets, drefling victuals, and nurfing their children ; the men were found bufied in gathering cocoa-nuts, hewing trees, and making fpears and darts.
The weather ftill bad, Captain Wilson went down to the Wednefflay wharf, before fun-rife, to look after his boat, and returned to breakfaft with Raa Kook. At noon he accompanied the King to his boat-builders, where Abba Thulle wanted to give directions about fome work that was carrying on for
him there; he had taken down with him a defign of his own for ornamenting fome canoes then building, and this defign was marked on a board with great accuracy, in different colours, to work after. At this place our people dined with the King upon pigeons.
The rain fell in torrents all the night, accompanied with very loud thunder. The EngliJJj had removed to another of the King's houfes, in order to be retired, having been dif-turbed by the curiofity of the natives, whilft they remained Jn the habitation which had been firft afligned them.
The King and his brother Raa Kook made our people a
vint
vifit at day-break; the weather after breakfail clearing up, they informed the King they wifhed to return to Oroolong, to which he affented, though wifhing rather to detain them another day. They found the jolly-boat ready loaded for them with every kind of provifion the iiland afforded; and about two o'clock in the afternoon they left Pelew, highly fatisfied with the kindnefs of their new friends, giving them three cheers, as ufual, at parting; which was returned by the King in perfon, who in this in-itance put off his gravity, and laughed very much, joining the men, women, and children in their cheers, Handing up, and apart in fuch a manner as to make himfelf conspicuous.
Our people arrived fafe at the tents about nine o'clock, though the wind had been adverfe to them; and had the pleafure of finding all their companions well.
The next morning being fine, they put out their clothes, and the few neceffaries which had been faved from the wreck, to dry, having been much wetted by the late heavy rains. Captain Wilson, on coming back, had the fatisfaction to fee that all his people, in his abfence, had been going on very afliduoully with the velfel, and that the moil perfect harmony had fubfifted amongil them. This was a circum-flance which could not fail to hold out the happieft prefagcs, that they fhould in the end accomplifli that point to which
their
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 121 their moft fanguine wilhes were directed. They underftood 1783.
SEPTJiMBKR.
that no canoe had been at Oroolong during the time they had been at Pelew.
At day-light the boats were fent again to the wreck, Saturday 6. to fee if no other materials could be procured ; they brought back in the evening more planks, nails, and many other neceffaries, which were of effential fervice, particularly coals. Thofe who remained on ihore were bufied about the velfel.—A lift was made out of the number of men the King had wifhed to go on his fecond expedition. On this, as well as on the former occafion, every individual expreffed a readinefs to be of the number; and thofe who actually went, amicably fettled the matter among themfelves, on which their names were wrote down, and ftuck againft a tree in the dock-yard; and directions given, that they fhould hold themfelves in readinefs againft the time the King fhould either fetch, or fend for them.
R
CHAPTER
I7g3. CHAPTER XII.
SEPTEMBER.
The King comes to Oroolong.—Is much Jlruck with the appearance of the Veffel, which he had not feen before.—Is Jhewn the Barricade and the Six-pounder; zvhich is afterwards, at his Defire, fired off.—Views the different Artificers employed in the Dock Tard.—The impreffion all thefe new Sights make on him.—After paffing feveral Hours with our People, he goes to the Back of the Ifland.—The King re* turns next Day—wijhes to take a Swivel Gun on the Expedition.—This objected to.—He departs for Pelew, carrying with him the ten Men allotted for the War.
Suviiy 7. JTHHE weather fettling fine, all hands were employed in felling timber, and getting the frames of the veffel forward. In the afternoon four canoes came into the harbour, and gave our people fome fifh ; who, in return, made them a prefent of fome iron. As they appeared to have a large provifion of fifh, by bartering a little more old iron, there was plenty for every man at fupper. In the evening, when the toil of the day was over, the Captain read prayers, as ufual.
After
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 123 After breakfaft Captain Wilson went out in the jolly- 1783.
>. _ . SEPTEMBER
boat, to found and examine the reef himfelf. He found a Mondays,
paffage, in which there were three fathom at low-water,
due weft from the ifland. Between the ifland and the
reef he found a flat fand-bank, upon which there were
only feven feet at low-water; it was clear fand, except a
few coral fpots, which were eafily difcovered by the colour
of the water.
In the afternoon the King paid our people a vifit, attended by his two brothers, the Chief Mlnlfler, and feveral of his other Chiefs, and brought them fome fine fifh, that his canoes had caught in nets, which they make very nicely. Thefe fifh differed much from any kind our people had hitherto feen, they were rather more than three feet in length, and near a foot acrofs, having a very bony and thick head; the bone was fo uncommonly hard, as to ftrike fire when they fplit it with an axe, in order to ftew it. The meat cut folid and firm, like a large cod ; and the fcales were round, near the fizc of a Spanijh dollar; the natives prize it much, and our people found it, when boiled, very good. They had only caught four, two of which were given to the Englifh, and by the fhip's fteward divided into meffes. The Chinefe dreffed their portion differently, making a mixture with rice, and other things, which they call Chow Chow.
The
i24 ANACCOUNTOF 1783* The King, who now for the firft time had feen the pro-
SEPTEMBER.
grefs made in the new veffel, appeared perfectly amazed at perceiving how much had been done, nor lefs fo at the magnitude of the object. He minutely examined every thing with the moil eager attention, and impatiently called for his Tackalbys, or artificers, to notice what had fo much excited his own aftonifhment. The Tackalbys, feized with a furprize equal to that of their Prince, after deliberately poring over its parts, pointed out to him the very lingular manner in which every thing was wedged and bolted together.—They were quite loft in wonder at the ufe and power of the iron-work; and the whole together feemed to have engaged their minds as fomewhat beyond their comprehenfion.—The King croffed frequently between the ribs of the veffel, and faid he was at a lofs to conceive how they could ever be made fo as to keep out the water, having no idea that they were to be planked.
As moil of the frame-work of the vefTel on the flocks had been made out of trees which our people had cut down in the iiland, the King pointed out to them a fpecies of wood which they had ufed in fome parts of the veffel, and which he expreffed a concern at feeing; faying, he deemed it an unlucky wood, and that it might prove the caufe of their meeting with fome accident; earneitly prefling them to take it out, and not fuffer any of it to remain.
^They
They acknowledged his great care and goodnefs for them ; at the fame time informing him, they were accuftomed to employ different kinds of timber in conftrudting their fhips, and from experience had difcovered that nothing was to be apprehended on that fcore. This caution feemed to arife from fome fuperjlitious idea which the natives entertained of this tree, of which there were feveral growing on the ifland of Oroolong.
The King this day, as well as the General, much noticed the barricade, as alfo the fix-pounder; and after he had talked fome time with the Malay, he inquired the ufe of the great gun. The Captain fhewed him the balls, and grape-fhot, and alfo explained to him their force and efficacy : informing him, that if a number of canoes from Artingall, or any other ifland of his enemies, mould approach the cove, this machine would blow them out of the water, and fhiver them to atoms. The King was alfo fhewn the fwivel guns, which were mounted on trees fawn down, as before mentioned ; and it was explained to him, that they could be pointed in any direction which fhould be mofl defirable, or convenient, fo that fhould any of his enemies come by furprize over land, thefe moveable guns would give our people as great an advantage and power over them by land, as the fix-pounder would by fea.
The
*783- The King, his brothers, and the Chiefs who Were with
SEPTEMBER.
him, on receiving this intelligence, feemed to look at our countrymen with frefh aftonifhment; they converfed much among one another, teftifying by their actions every indication of furprize.—They walked round the barricade and examined it with much attention, noticing how ftrongly and clofely every part was intrenched and fortified.
This little ifland of Oroolong having been rendered far more commodious to the Englijh by the many neceflary efta-blifhnients they had made fince the King had paid them his former vifit, there was of courfe a good deal of additional novelty for him to attend to.—After he had pointed out to his Tackalbys to notice with particular attention every thing about the barricade, he ftrolled inquifitively round the cove with his company.—The noife of the forge which our people had fet up, and which was then at work, foon drew his attention that way: it happened that the boatfwain was at that inftant beating out a piece of hot iron upon a pig of the fame metal, which he had made his anvil. This was a circumftance fo entirely new, and a difcovery fo interefting to them, that they all ftood abforbed in admiration.
_They could not be perfuaded to keep at a diftance, but
would get fo clofe to the anvil as to receive occafionally a hot fpark on their naked bodies; nor did this deter them from catching with their hands the luminous particles that 7 flew
489999995
65
999992^
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 127 flew from under the ftroke of the hammer.—Every thine, 3783-
° SEPTEMBER*
under fuch circumftances as the prefent, naturally excited Wonder. When the iron was beaten on the anvil till the rednefs was gone off, and it was become too cold to be malleable, they could not comprehend why it was again put into the forge.—The throwing water on the fire to make it burn brifker was alfo a new fource of furprize; and it was with much difficulty they could be drawn away from a fcene that was fo new and interefting to them; however, the noife of the neighbouring Cooper, who was repairing the water-cafks for fea ftore, was attracting enough to allure them to his hut—The agility with which they faw this man work, the Whirling of the cafks, the knocking down of the hoops, the found from within, and the qiiicknefs with which they perceived a defective cafk was brought round and perfect, feemed altogether to impofe on their minds a kind of magic influence. They flood and flared at one another with looks equally expreflive of aftonifhment and pleafure. Captain Wilson perceiving that his vifitors were rivetted to whatever they faw, and that the workmen were very much impeded by their queftions, as well as by their delire of handling every thing, now ordered a large canvafs to be Spread on one fide of the cove, where the King and his Chiefs might repofe and refrefh themfelves, and ftill have a view of our artificers at a diftance; he was conducting
them
1783- them to this place, acrofs the cove, when their eyes
SEPTEMBER.
caught the carpenters, who were buried, fome in fawing, others in dubbing, &x.; this was again frefh matter to detain them: the faw and its operations were marvellous; and it was not without great difficulty that they were at laft feduced to the canvafs, where lherbet was prepared for them. Captain Wilson made the King a prefent of a China mat, which he appeared to admire, being different from any they made at Pelew, and which he wifhed as a pattern for his people to endeavour to imitate.
When redemption is the object, minutes appear as hours, and our men, with fuch a point in view, could ill afford the lofs of half a day; yet no fooner were their guefts retired, but all their common attendants fwarmed in every part, fo that it was impoffible to continue work ; Raa Kook was therefore petitioned to difperfe them, who, by ordering them down to the beach, gave the different artificers elbow-room to proceed -in their bufinefs.—The King, after this, took his leave with much good-humour, and, accompanied by all his retinue, went to fleep at the back of the ifland. Tuefday 9. In confequence of what had the preceding day been explained relative to the fwivel-guns, the King's imagination had amply worked on the fubject; he came over land with his train, and expreffed a wifh to have one of them to take with him on the next expedition; this the Captain endea-* voured
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 129 voured to convince him would be impoffiblc, as they had 1783.
SEPTEMBER.
no boats conftructed in a manner proper to receive it.—The King then requefted to have the fix-pounder fired.—If they were furprized (as we have already noticed) at the dif-charge of a mufquet, it may eafily be imagined in how great a proportion the report of this piece muft have affected them,—During the time the gunner was loading it, not a circumftance of the whole procefs efcaped their notice ; and when the lighted match was brought and put to the train, they perceived an inftantaneous blaze, which was fucceeded by a moft violent noife; this they were puzzled in the extreme to comprehend, and the more fo, as in the difcharge of a mufquet they had feen no appearance of fire applied.—The report of the fix-pounder feemed to ftun them all, as every one of the natives, for more than a quarter of an hour, kept his fingers in his ears, calling out Magulll Magulll that is to fay, Very bad.—Pleafed and furprized as they were at the noife, it was evidently too violent for their organs ; for whenever founds uncommonly loud ftrike unexpectedly on the drum of the ear, it is well known they will occafion temporary deafnefs, though the fame degree of found, when applied to thofe who are ac-cuftomcd to it, or prepared to receive it, will not vibrate on the fenfe with any particular inconvenience.—The hooting and fhouting of the natives, on hearing the explofion, was
S hardly
130 ANACCOUNTOF
1783- hardly to be defcribed, and this was increafcd by the acci-
ilFTSMBEV
dent of fome of the wad letting fire to the dry leaves of a tree which projected acrofs the cove.—Having obferved the ball fall in the water at a great diftance, they were unable to conceive how this effect could be produced; what they had feen ftimulated ftill more their wifh of having one of the fwivels on their expedition, as it would prove not only deft.rucr.ive to the perfons but to the property of their enemies.—Raa Kook accompanied the Captain on the hill to the Look-out, and was furprized to fee how much the ground had been cleared.—He informed him of the names of the principal iflands, pointing out their fituation with his hand, though fome of them were not within view; he told him that to the fouthward was Pellelew, to the N. E. Emillegue, and to the S. E. the ifland they were going to war with, which he faid was called Artin-gall.—After they had returned from the hill, the King was treated with fhcrbet, and he foon after went over land to dinner, at the place where his canoes were fta^ tioned, laying, when he left the tents, that he fliould return with his boats at high-water, by which it was fuppofed he meant at that time to take fuch of the Englifh as were to attend him to the war, who all got themfelves in readinefs accordingly.
In the afternoon fome people came from Abba Thulle,
and
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 131 and renewed their folicitations on the fubject of the x783-
SEPTEMBER.
fwivcl-gun 3 every argument was ufed to make them fen-fible of the impracticability of rendering it of any ufe in their canoes.—Soon after other of his men arrived, bringing a prefent of fome fine fifli and a turtle.—The King after came round himfelf, attended by ten or twelve canoes.— The requeft of the fwivel was again ftrongly urged by the Chief Minijler, and our people thereby compelled to recur to all the arguments before made ufe of; and as our men were all drawn up with their arms, Mr. Benger, willing to cut off* all further entreaty on the fubject, ordered them into the canoes. — One very material objection againft complying with their delire was, the great confumption of powder it would occafion; be fides which, the neceflity there would have been of the Gunner's attendance, who was too ufeful a man to be fpared.
Abba Thulle and his retinue now embarked, and there was reafon to fear that this rcfufal had not made them depart in the good-humour that could have been wifhed.—Before the canoes were out of fight, the Gunner made a report of the arms and ammunition taken on the expedition, which appearing rather large (as Mr. Benger had taken piftols and cutlaffcs unknown to the Captain) occafioned fome uneafinefs, in the particular fituation they at that time ftood.—It was therefore thought advifable to
S 2 keep
1783- keep every thing in a pofture of defence, left any further
SEPTEMBER.
mifunderftanding lhould take place; the watch was well attended to, and no caution omitted which prudence could fuggefh
CHAPTER
CHAPTER XIIL 1783.
SEPTEMBER.
Tranfatlions at Oroolong.—The ten Men return from the War.—A particular Account of the Second Battle of Ar-tingall.—Progrefs of the new Veffel, t&r,
SOME natives came from the watering-place, by whom Wedncfday intelligence was brought, that the canoes were gone down to Pelew, of which fome doubts had been entertained ; our people fuppofing that, as they went away late, they would only go to the back of the iiland. Thefe natives foon departed.—The feine was hauled to-day, without fuccefs, and the velfel was attended to with perfeverance.
This day they had the higheft tide that had been noticed Tteflby at this place. It was high-water at half an hour paft feven. No natives were feen to-day.
The jolly-boat was fent round to the watering-place, in Friday 12. queft of timber; but there was fo high a furf on the beach that they could take none in. Some of our people got fix kegs of water, and went with the boat to collect cabbages and periwinkles, all the unpacked beef being expended. They alfo this day examined and took an account of the ftore Saturday 13.
of
of provilion ; and, after considering the time they might probably remain on the iiland, and tbe length of their paffage, they fet apart as much of the founded: and beft of the provifion for the voyage as was deemed neceffary; which was on no account to be expended. This evening there were hard fqualls, heavy rain, and much lightning.
The weather this morning would not permit a boat to go out of the harbour.—It was difcovered that fome of the hams had been cut the preceding night; a reward was offered, of double allowance of grog for a week, to any perfon who would make the offender known, or would difco-vcr any one guilty of wafting any kind of proviiions; and that, in cafe the arrack fhould be out, that fuch perfon fhould receive ten dollars on the veffcTs arrival at Macoa. This aclvertifemcnt wras fixed to a tree in the dock-yard, having been previoufly read to all our people ; but no information was ever obtained of the offender.
After a night of wind and rain, thunder and lightning, about ten o'clock in the morning two canoes came into the harbour, wherein were Mr. Benger, William Harvey, William Steward, and William Roberts : by them our people learnt that the battle was over, their companions all well, and that they would foon follow them. Towards evening other canoes arrived, with Mr. M. Wilson, John Duncan, Nicholas Tyacke, Madan Blanchard, Thomas Wilson, and ThomasDulton. The canoe
5 which
which brought Mr. M. Wilson and John Duncan, had been overfet. This accident aroie from a fquall of wind coming on fo fuddcnly, that the canoe could not get its fail down quick enough to fave it; there were four natives in it, with Mr. Wilson and Mr. Duncan. As the canoe was going over, two of the men fecured the two mufquets, and holding them in one hand, buoyed up Mr. Duncan and Mr. Wilson with the other; whilft the remaining two made a fmall raft with the bamboos, ropes, paddles, and pieces of wood they could collect.. During the time they were floating the canoe righted itfelf. The other canoes that were in company being driven to a diftance, with much difficulty efcaped to the neareft fhore ; but the inftant they had landed our people, they put off again, and took up Mr. Wilson and Du nc an, who could neither of them fwim ; by the time they were relieved they were both aim oft exhaufted, having been floating and clinging to the raft for the greater part of two hours. Two bayonets and a cartouch-box were loft by this accident, but happily no life. Captain Wilson inftantly rewarded the men who had faved them, by giving them fome files, and fome pieces of iron to make hatchets.
They were all received with great joy by their countrymen at Oroolong, and ftill more fo, from their bringing back with them the welcome news of the King's fuccefs. But as this forms not only a new, but a very interefting fcene, that I may lay it in the moft circumftantial manner
before
136 ANACCOUNTOF
1783. before the reader, I mail here paufe awhile, as the narrator of thefe events, and deliver the account of this expedition nearly in the words in which I received it from Mr. M. Wilson, who was himfelf an actor in the whole bufinefs.
" The night we quitted Oroolong we got to Pelew, u and the King was defirous of proceeding immediately on « his way to Artingall; but it proving very wet, we ob-" jected to it, on account of the rain damaging our arms, " which he being made fenfible of, agreed to defer advan-u cing till the enfuing evening. We were conducted to the " fame houfe where my brother and Mr. Sharp had been '* before entertained, and where we were fupplied with " every accommodation that we could expect, or defire.
" On the evening of the next day we all affembled on
fhe caufeway, or wharf, where alfo were the King, Raa ** Kook, Arra Kooker, and the other Rupacks and great " officers; and we all went on board the canoes flationed
there to receive us. We were followed to the more by a " number of old men, women, and children, who appeared
to be drawn together both by curiofity and intereft. ** When the canoes were quitting the land, a conch-fhell " was loudly founded, to notify our departure; and other " canoes difpatched to different parts of the iiland, to collect ** various detachments which were lying off in creeks and " remoter places, and only waited the King's fignal to
a " join
<
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 137 m join him : which, in confequence of receiving, they foon i783-
J ' 1 - SEPTEMBER.
M did. And thus reinforced, being upwards of two hun-" dred canoes, we proceeded, during the night, towards " Artingall, but flopped, fome hours before day-light, 94 at an ifland fubjecT: to Abba Thulle, where we went on a fliore, upon a wharf, and flept on the ground for about " three hours; then re-embarked, and palling through a " labyrinth of narrow channels, arrived off Artingall " a little before day-break; here they all halted till the u riling of the fun, it being a maxim with the natives of " Pelew, never to attack an enemy in the dark, or take M him by furprize. As the day came on, a fmall canoe, u light-built, containing only four men, each man having " in his hair a white feather, ftuck upright (and which « were the long feathers of the tail of the tropic-bird) *' fummoned the enemy to a parley; the perfon wearing the H white feather being regarded in the nature of a herald, " either bringing terms, or demanding to be heard, hoftili-
ties in this interval remained fufpended.
" Abba Thulle had previoufly notified to the King " of Artingall, that he intended in a few days to offer " him battle; fo the latter was not unprepared for the " event. The enemy, on feeing our fignal of parley, dif-" patched a canoe to Raa Kook ; who demanded to know " if they would fubmit to fuch terms as the King his brother " had propofed, by way of atoning for the injuries he com-
T " plained
" plained of. The canoe went hack to the King of Artm-" gall, and, having communicated our propofition, re-*4 turned with a flat refufal; on which the General in- or tatooed, quite up to the navel; the Pelew people only tatooing up to the middle of their thighs, as already noticed.
It was not in the power of our people to obtain any account, which could be depended on, of the number of this chain of iflands; nor could any eminences they ever af-cended, allow them to fee the extent of them, either to the northward or fouthward.—The new velfel being now in a ftate of great forwardnefs, and the time of their departure drawing near, Captain Wilson this evening expreffed to his officers and people a defire, before they failed for China, to endeavour to explore thefe iflands, upon which Providence had thrown them, and that ten or twelve days might effect the defign; that they had a quantity of provilion fufficient to authorize the attempt; and that he would apply to the King for three or four canoes, with men, to accompany them through the iflands, and to aflift them in afcertaining their number, fituation, and extent.—That he did not mean to make a furvey of them; but that it would be a great fatif-
E e faction,
i783' faction, both to themfelves and their Employers, to have a
NOVEMBER.
general account of thefe iflands, on which no European had ever been before; as alfo to know whether there was any apparent difference in the inhabitants, their manners, or cuftoms.—He was liftened to with a great deal of attention; but the near profpect before every man's eyes, of being-liberated from a place whence a fhort time before, none had any jufl hope of ever departing; the fear of its proving a much longer buftnefs than apprehended ; the uncertainty of what difficulties they might meet with, fhould they have hoftilities to encounter, which was more than probable might be the cafe, from the inhabitants of fome of the remote iflands; thefe combined confiderations prefented themfelves to moft of them as rifques not advifeable to be run, after the hardfhips they had already fuftained ; which, added to the natural wifh of every individual to return to his native country whilft opportunity offered, they defired the Captain to give up all thoughts of fuch an attempt, and not to make any mention thereof to the King, left it might be the means of detaining them. And thus was ftifled the defire of all further inquiry, more efpccially when Mr. Sharp acquainted them, that he was commiftioned by Abba Thulle to inform them, that he would in about four days pay them a vifit, and flay with them till their departure, and that lie would then paint their veffel.—This meftage awakened fuipicions in feveral minds of the King's defigns, which,
becaufe
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 211 becaufe they breathed on every occafion fuch perfect good- >783-
NOVEMBER.
will towards our people, were judged by many of them to be infincere, or treacherous; unwilling to give credit to human nature for the exercife of all the noble fentimcnts of liberality, uncontrouled, or uncontaminated by art or in-tereft.
1
E e 2
CHAPTER
NOVEMBER. CHAPTER XVIII.
Preparations made for the Completion of the Veffel, and fecur-ing her being fafely launched.—Great Sufpicions entertained on the King's Meffage, which Captain Wilson endeavours to quiet.—Steps taken by our People to make Refflance, in cafe their Departure fiould be impeded.—The Captain fends Mr. Sharp and Mr. M. Wilson to Pelew, with all the Tools and Iron they could fpare, with AJfurances of the refl, as foon as the Veffel was launched; and to notify to the King that he purpofed to fail in fix or feven Days.—They meet the King and his Retinue on their Way to Oroolong.—Go back with him to the I/land o/Pethoull, where they pafs the Night.—Abb a Thulle receives the Prefent s gra-ehufly.—A great Supper of the King's deferibed,—They all come next Day to Oroolong.—Madan Blanchard in-forms Captain Wilson of a Refolution he had taken to remain behind with the Natives \—after Arguments ufed in vain to dijfuade him, he is propofed to the King to be left at Pelew, who, pleafed with the CircumJlance, takes him under his Protection.
Monday 3. ^TpHE weather being now fair and fettled, with frefh A gales of wind from the N. E. the carpenters were employed in making the rudder, and Albert Pierson the
quarter-
quarter-mafter, in making the mafts out of fome of the 1783. fmall fpars faved from the wreck; fome bulled in caulking N0V£MBER* the deck, and others in painting the fides, which, in addition to the coat that the King's people intended to give her, would be fuflicient to keep out the weather. In the evening they held a confultation about the method of launching their velfel, which they had now nearly completed, when it was agreed to lay ways, though it had been propofed by fome to do it by large rollers, as they fometimes launch cutters.—This was a matter of ferious moment, for had any accident happened to the veffel during this operation, their tools being nearly worn out, and their former refources from the wreck at an end, their deftiny muft, in all human probability, have been to have paffed the remainder of their days, exiled from the reft of the world, in thefe remote iflands.
This morning many hands went to work in cutting Tuefday 4. down trees to make blocks, and launching ways, others in giving the bottom of the veffel another coat of Chi-nam. Two canoes being feen near the harbour, before night, and neither of them coming in, was a circumftance which contributed not a little to increafe the fufpicions entertained by our people, thefe canoes being conjectured to be fpies watching their motions; they having entertained an idea that the natives intended to prevent their departure. At dark they went to a quarter watch, loaded the fwivels and fix-pounder with grape-ihot, and kept
7 a good
1783. a good look out to prevent furprize.—The alarm our peo-pie felt, was, that being near leaving the iflands, the natives Wednefday (who had experienced the great utility the Englifh were of to them) might endeavour to detain them, by attempting to feize their arms, and poflefs themfelves of their veffel.—It was in vain that Captain Wilson ftrove to remove thefe ap-prehenfions, by recalling to their remembrance the genero-fity the King and all his people had fhewn them, on every occafion, fmce they had been thrown upon his territories; that his behaviour had been always to them humane, unre-ferved, and unfufpicious; that therefore there could be no room now to doubt the fincerity of a people, who had, in all the time they had been under their protection, never given them any real caufe for miftruft; that it materially behoved them, in their prefent lituation, not to let the natives fee they entertained any; that by doing otherwife they might put ideas into their minds, which, but for their own indifcretion, mieht never have occurred. Nor did he fail to fet before them the little avail of all the force of the Engli/b, if the natives were refolved upon any fuch enterprize as they fuf-pectcd ; he reprefented to them, that their ammunition muft be foon expended, in cafe of hoftilities ; that the natives could hinder their embarking, even if their veffel was launched; that it was in their power, without coming to extremities, to make them fubmit to any terms, by depriving them of the fpring of frefh water, fhould they chufe to come to the iiland in any number,
2 All
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 215 All thefe arguments were ineffectual to fubdue the general r783-
a NOVEMBEI
apprehenfion, not more than two or three uniting in fenti-ment with the Captain; it was therefore concluded, after a long confultation on the matter, that every one fhould be ltriclly on his guard; that the fwivels and fix-pounder fhould continue to be kept loaded with grape-lhot, the fmall arms ready charged with ball, and the cartouch-boxes filled with loaded cartridges; but that every one fhould carefully avoid all appearance of fufpicion, unlefs any uncommon number of canoes fhould pour into the bay, or thofe who were in them appear armed with fpears, or approach with any hoftile parade, in which cafe every method fhould be taken to defend themfelves; and, as their numbers were inadequate to refill fuch a multitude as might attack them, that they muft then ufe their abilities in fingling out the Chiefs, and by fuch a meafure throw confufion and dif-may among the reft.
As the faithful hiftorian of thefe tranfactions, it is my duty to record every material occurrence ; though I muft con-fefs that my hand fhrinks from the paper, whilft, impreffed with horror and pity, I am compelled to relate, that the lives firft intended to be devoted were, thofe of the humane, liberal King, the manly and benevolent General, the facetious and inoftennve Arra Kooker, But, however this refolu-tion may fhock the reader, yet he will candidly afcribc this daring conception, not to a want of that generofity
which
*783- which is one of the characleriftics of my countrymen, nor
NOVEMBER.
to a forgetfulnefs of the honds of hofpitality; but to its real caufe, the weaknefs of human nature, operating on two conflicting paflions, the hope of immediate delivery, and the dread of perpetual detention; the agitated mind faw np alternative, and in its perturbation threw down the barrier of every nicer fentiment.
After the defperate refolution jufl recorded to have been taken, it is with particular fatisfadlion that I refume my pen, and have it in my power to inform the reader, that this frenzy of the Engli/h, fuggefled by anxiety and defpair, was but of fhort duration; the cool reflections of the night weakened their apprehenfions, by convincing them fo fully of the force of the Captain's arguments, that with the Thurfday6. morning, their wonted good-will towards the natives returned, infomuch, that after breakfaft he found no difficulty in getting the pinnace manned to go to Pelew with all the iron and tools they could fpare, having made the King fuch a promife, whenever their veffel fhould be completed. Mr. Sharp and Mr. M. Wilson went down in the boat, with orders to inform the King, that the Englifh would be ready to fail in fix or feven days ; that the remainder of the tools, and the mufquets which he wifhed to have, fhould be given him, but that they could not be parted with till fuch time as the velfel was launched; thefe gentlemen had alfo orders to fay, that the Englifh wifhed to fee the King
and
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 217 and his Chiefs before their departure, that thev might make I783*
NOVEMBER.
them their perfonal acknowledgments, and allure them, that when they returned to their own country, they would publicly declare the kind ferviccs and protection they had received from them. This was conveyed in the form of a letter, which Mr. Sharp was directed to read to the King in the prefence of the two linguifts, who were to explain it to him, as coming immediately from the Captain.
While Mr. Sharp and Mr. M. Wilson, together with Tom Rose, the interpreter, were receiving the above inflruc-tions, Madan Blanchard, one of the feamen, came into the tent for fome tools that he wranted, and hearing the Captain explaining his letter to Tom Rose, defired him alfo to tell the King, that when his countrymen went away, he intended to flay behind, and remain with him at Pelew ; Captain Wilson defired him not to fend any fuch idle melfage, and to go about his bulinefs, and forbad Tom Rose to deliver it; upon which Blanchard very ferioully defired it might be delivered, affuring the Captain, that it was his fettled determination to remain at Pelew, if the King would permit him. Finding he had taken up fuch a flrange refolu-tion, the Captain endeavoured all in his power to dilfuade him from it, fetting before him the many difficulties and difadvan-tages he would have to combat, when his friends and companions were gone, particularly as he had no trade, like that of a carpenter or a fmith, by which he might make himfelf of ufe
F f and
vfiV and confequcnce to the natives.—The Captain, perceiving; ali>
november. °
his arguments ineffectual, defired his men would try to divert him from fo lingular an intention; in which if he ftill perlifted, the Captain might know how to act when the King fhould come next to Oroolong.—The pinnace was difpatched about ten o'clock, with orders to take no notice-of Blanc hard's menage to the King, but to leave that to be mentioned afterwards, fhould there be occafion, when he and his Chiefs came up to Oroolong. — Soon after the pinnace failed, the weather became fqually, accompanied with hard rain, which continued moft part of the day ;: this however did not entirely hinder the-work, they being' employed in fixing the pumps and laying the ways preparatory to launching their veffel.—In the evening, after the people had left off work, fome of them acquainted the Captain, that they had endeavoured, though in vain, to per-fuade Blanchard to alter his refolution; as he was determined to fpeak to the King himfelf, the firft opportunity, about it, finding his menage had not been fent: therefore^ to avoid any difpute with him, or mifunderftanding with the King, it was judged beft.to let him follow his own inclination ; and, in order to engage the natives as much as poflible in his intercft, as well as to make a merit of what could not. be avoided, it was determined to make it appear as a favour to the King, the letting one of the EngliJJj remain behind with him.—There was fomething in thefe people, or the 5 manners
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 219 manners of the country, which had fo forcibly worked on 1783.
NOVEMBER.
Bianchard's imagination, the firft time he went with them to fight againft Artingall, that on his return, while ill the canoes, he declared to his companions, that he would molt willingly partake of all their labour, would lend them every afliftance in his power towards building and fitting-out their new veffel; but that when they departed he would remain behind, and end his days among the natives of Pelew.—This was at the time looked on as a jeft; but he never varied from thefe fentiments, and now proved his re-folution was unalterable.
About eleven o'clock in the forenoon of this day the Friday 7. pinnace returned, bringing the King, his young favourite daughter, Raa Kook, and feveral of the Chiefs, in her. Our people gave the following account of the commiftion they were charged with : —In their paffage to Pelew, the preceding day, they faw a confiderable number of canoes, which went in fhore to avoid the bad weather ; on coming nearly abreaft of them, one appeared to be making towards the pinnace, which thereupon flood to meet it; in this was the Chief Minlfter, who gave thofe in the pinnace fome cocoa-nuts and boiled yams; he informed our people that the King bad flickered himfelf from the weather under the fhore, being on his way to Oroolong. After taking fome of the refrefhments offered, the pinnace went to the King, who was in his canoe, furrounded by feveral
F f 2 Rupacks*
1783* Rupacks. The pinnace being brought alongfide the King, Mr..
NOVEMBER.
Sharp read the letter, whicn Tom Rose explained to Soogle,, the linguift, who communicated its purport to Abba Thulle. The intention of this vifit being made known, and the tools and iron fhewn to the King, he defired they might remain in the pinnace; when, after entering into fome converfation with his Chiefs, he acquainted the gentlemen that he would return to the fmall ifland of Pethoull, inviting the EngliJJj to* accompany him in the pinnace, and that the next morning he would attend them to Oroolong. As they were returning to the ifland, they met Raa Kook in a large canoe, with the wives belonging to the Rupacksy whom he was conducting to Oroolong to fee the launching of the EngliJJj veffel; the ladies feemed much difappointed at being obliged to return, and on finding their jaunt was put off till the next day ; they, in confequence, joined the King.—On landing at Pethoull, they were all conducted to a large houfe by the water-fide, where being feated, the prefents were brought and laid before the King, when the ufe of the tools, and the method of working with them, were fhewn to him, and his Chiefs, with which they appeared very much pleafed ; and a converfation took place between the King and them, but particularly with Raa Kook ; towards the clofe of which, the Malay,. Soogle, remarked to them, that the Englifh had fent no mufquets; for this impertinent obferva-8 tion
tion he received a fevere rebuke from the Genera], who, i783-
NOVEMBER*
with a look, and in a tone which teftilied great indignation,, replied, the Englilh had faithfully kept their word, in fending the things they had fent, and in acquainting them of the time of their departure; that they had not fpoken with two tongues, as he, worthlefs Malay 1 had dared to fuggefi; and that he had brought fliame upon them all, by his advifing the King to fend'only boiled yams to the Englilh, left, in fending them raw, they fhould thereby flock themfelves, and leave the iflands without notice, or without prefent big them thofe things they had promifed.—This pointed rebuke of Raa Kook affected the King and Chiefs very much, who by their looks teflified their difpleafure at the Malay, in fuch a manner, that he thought it prudent to retire; after which the company recovered their good-humour, and Abba Thulle diftri-buted fome of the tools and iron amongft the Rupacks, every one having fomething given him. Supper was then brought in, and placed on ftools in the middle of the houfe; abundance was alfo fet out before the houfe, and diftributcd to the King's attendants.—The company were ferved with fea craw-fifh, together with fome other fifh, brought in, and divided by the butlers, who cut it in pieces with a knife made of a fplit bamboo (with which they carve as handily as we do with our knives) and ferved up to the King's company. Nobody offered to touch a morfel till
Abba
l3&$ ABb a Thulle began, and gave the word Munga; when the Rupacks and the company followed his example, and notice was given to the people without that the King-was at fup-.. per, which was their hgnal to begin. It now growing dufkifh, the torches were lighted, and placed between the boards, or cracks in the floor, in rows, one before each family, or feparate mefs, who fat behind the lights, which were ranged in ffraight lines lengthways of the houfe; fo that the centre part, from one end of the building to the other, was kept clear and lighted, which had a very pleating effect, none fitting face to face in their own party, A little fpace was preferved between one Chief and another, each Chief keeping with his diftinct. family. As to our people, they, as ftrangers, were welcome to all; they alternately fat with the King, with Raa Kook, and with the other Rupacks. When the fiih was portioned out, each family's lhare was laid on a plantain-leaf; and this leaf, in general, ferved them as a plate, though on occafions of particular ceremony, when at home, the great people have fmall plates or diihes of tor-
$ee Plate iv. toiie-ihell, and alfo others made of wood and earthen-
fig-
ware.
i living indulged an hour's converfation after fupper, each party cleared away the litter of the meal, by fweeping it down between the boards of the floor; the attendants then pf each family brought in to their refpective mailers their
, mats,
Tlate 4
J' otte^f/iM difii. r4 a Fortotfe^Jhelt'Jfioon.. ,3 a Bone, Bracelet rvorrv as cl mark of J)u?n.i£y ■ /WyW. GNtJu>I.,fr, Cap* fl^y Wifin- as tAx .4cfi direct, May ff i*J 8 8 ■
THE P E L E W ISLAND & 223 mats, which they always carry with them in their canoes J783-
J * 4 NOVEMBER."
whenever they are to ileep from home; they are made thin and light, laying one under and another over them : the King lent mats for the Englifli; and every one's bed being quickly made, they all laid themfelves down, the torches were extinguiilied, a total filence prevailed, and every individual compoferl himfelf to reft ; a fire being firft lighted to keep off the mofquitos.
Between the hours of two and three,- a meffenger from an iiland to the northward arriving, the King was thereupon awakened by one of his attendants, who brought in a lighted torch ; he inftantly arofe, and ordered the meffenger to be introduced ; after holding fome converfation with him, the King delivered to him a piece of cord, on which he had* tied as many knots as there would be days before our people purpofed to fail; this they were afterwards acquainted with, and alfo informed the above meftage was occafioned by a dclire which fome of the northern Chiefs, who were the friends of Abba Thulle, felt to know the time when the Englflj intended to depart—not to gratify idle curiofity, not to increafe the unjuft and ungenerous apprehenfions entertained by our people of the natives of thefe unknown regions; but to throw in, towards their fea-ftore, whatever their country produced, which thefe benevolent children of nature thought might be of ufe, or acceptable to the departing ftrangers, and
to
1783. to thofe ftrangers the\ might never more fee!—The mef-
NOVCMBER. ■
fenger being diipato J, the King retired again to his mat.
Early in the morning Abba Thulle and his Rupacks went to bathe, and returned to breakfaft, when he prepared to proceed to Oroolong.—Mr. Sharp and Mr. M. Wilson invited the General to go with them in the pinnace, which he accepted, ordering his canoes to attend the King.—When they had got about two or three miles from the ifland, it began to blow frelh, fo that the canoes were obliged to make their way along the fhore for flicker; Raa Kook, delighted to fee the pinnace fail fo well, and feel fo little the effect of the bad weather, requefted his two friends to go in fhore to the King, and afk him on board ; which they immediately complied with.—Abba Thulle, with his young daughter, and the Chief Mhiijlcr, came into the pinnace; the wind ftill frefhening, they made great way, the boat rolling much, going before the wind and fea.—The King and his company expreffed great fatisfaction in finding they fat there fo dry and comfortable to what they could have done in a canoe, which is only fit for fmooth water; our people perceiving he was fo pleafed with the pinnace, informed him, that the Captain intended to prefent him with that boat when they went away; on which he defired his brother Raa Kook to be very particular in obferving in what manner the fails were managed.
They
They brought with them many things for prefents; and foon after Abba Thulle and the General, agreeable to their promife, fet their people about painting the veffel, as alfo the mails, booms, bowfprit, 8cc.—About three o'clock in the afternoon the veilel was lowered off the blocks down upon the ways; but being too much over to one fide, was fwept with a rope, and a tackle got upon it, to boufe her over.—The King, attentive to all he faw, underftood what was doing, and fetching a long pole, was going to apply it as a lever to heave her over, but was requefted to defift, for fear of ftraining her; fhe was with eafe got fair upon the ways, and all.things made ready for launching in the morning.—Abba Thulle fat down near the veffel, talking with Raa Kook and the other Chiefs; then calling to Tom Rose, bade him inform the Captain, who was at fome diftance, that they wifhed to fpeak to him; who being come, the King ordered the linguift to acquaint him, that they wifhed the veffel to have a Pelew name, as they fuppofed it was then called by fome Englt/fr one, which they defired might be changed to Oroolong, in remembrance of, its having been built there; the Captain allured them it fhould immediately be done—fent for his officers and people, and communicated to them the King's requeft; they were pleafed with his idea, which the King perceiving, expreffed himfelf greatly fatisfied.—Soon after? wards Abba Thulle, with his attendants, went over to the watering-place, and defired Captain Wilson to go with him;
G g when
x783« when they arrived there, fome canoes were jufl come in
NOVEMBER. J
from hilling, and he ordered what had been caught to be divided, and the beft portion to be given to the EngliJJo; this feemed to be the purport of the invitation. But a bufinefs of more confequencc took place at this vifit: the third mate, the gunner, and Ihip's fteward, came over, and informed the Captain, that Blanchard was coming himfelf to fpcak to the King concerning his intention of remaining at Peli w ; after a fhort confutation, it was agreed to abide by their former determination. The Captain, in confequence, talking with Abba Thulle about their departure, told him he would, in return for the hofpitable kindnefs that both he and his people had fhewn them, leave one of his men with them, to take care of the guns and other things they intended to give him when they went away; wiiich appearing to the King as a teltimony of confidence and efteem, could not fail to be very acceptable.—Evening coming on, our people returned to the tents, having firft informed Blanchard that the matter he wiftied was fettled, and introduced him to their Pelew friends as the perfon whom they intended fhould remain with them.
In the night the weather was exceedingly bad, blowing a hurricane, with fo much rain that no work could be done at low-water, toward getting ready for the launch in the morning.—At day-light the weather was cloudy, with little wind ; but from the very high wind in the night it was thought
beft
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 227 beft to defer launching the veffel, as it was judged the 1783-
NOVEMBER.
next tide would not rife fulTIciently high for that purpofe. Saturday 8. •.—The King with his attendants (hut unaccompanied by any women) came over land to the tents very early, and immediately fet his men to work to make good the places where the tempeft of the night had wafhcd away the paint.—Abba Thulle, converting with the Captain, gave him to under-ftand, that they would have bad weather until the moon quartered, and, left he fhould not be fully explicit, he took up a large leaf, and with his fingers tore it till it became round, to figure the full moon, that being the then ftatc of that planet; which when he had ihewn, he altered the rotundity into the form of a crefent, intimating by this, that the weather would continue unfettled, until that alteration took place in the moon's appearance : but, as the remaining fuch a length of time would have been very irkfome to all, who now felt an increafed impatience to get away, Captain Wilson ailigncd, as a reafon againft any longer delay, that by it, they might arrive in all probability, at China (whither he knew they were bound) after all the fhips of his country were failed for Europe, which would detain them there till the fubfequent feafon.
While painting the velfel this morning, the ftern was particularly decorated by Raa Kook, under the immediate direction of the King; our people took notice that he made on each fide of the ftern two circles, one within another, in
G g 2 black
228 ANACCOUNTOF
*783- black and white, with fome little zigzag: ornaments hang-ing from them; thefe were not the effect of chance, but defign, as, during the time that the General was making them, the King was talking to him, and appeared to be giving directions, not ferioufly, but in a pleafant and rather jocofe way. The painting being finifhed, the General and Arra Kooker joined the King and the Captain, who was fitting with him ; after fome converfation, feveral bafkets of old cocoa-nuts in a ftate of vegetation, and fome other feeds, were brought; and the linguift acquainted the Captain that they were brought to Oroolong to be planted for the Englijh.—Raa Kook then defired Captain Wilson would accompany him and Arra Kooker, and fhew them where he would like to have them planted, and that fome of our people, with tools, would affift them, by digging the holes; which being done, the General and his brother planted feveral cocoa-nut and other fruit-trees round the cove where the EngliJJj lived; and it was obferved, that in covering each nut, or feed with earth, they faid fomething gently to themfelves. When they had completed this work, they told the Captain thefe would be future fruits for him, and the Engii/Jj, whenever they returned; and that, fhould any inhabitants of the other iflands accidentally come on fhore at Oroolong, and eat thereof, they would thank the EngliJJj for their refrefhment.—In the evening they tried to launch the velfel, but to their great difappoint-
ment
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 229 merit could not move her, until the tide began to fall; they i783-
NOVEMBER.
therefore let every thing remain until the next tide, hoping in that time to difcover and remove the obftru&ion.
Blanchard having come over with the King in the morning, gave an account to his comrades of his treatment after the Captain and his companions had left him ; the King, he faid, was very much pleafed in the thought of his being to remain at Pelew, and with his readinefs to flay with them, and had promifed to make him a Rupack, and to give him two wives, together with a houfe and plantations ; alluring him, that he would do every thing to make him happy and contented, and that he ihould always be with himfelf or Raa Kook. — Madan Blanchard was a man of a lingular character, about twenty years of age, of rather a grave turn of mind, at the fame time poffeffing a con-liderable degree of dry humour; and what rendered the circumftance of his determination the more remarkable is, that it was well known he had formed no particular attachment on the iiland. His good-tempered, inoffcnfive behaviour during the voyage had gained him the regard of all his fhipmates; and, feeing the extraordinary refolution he had taken of remaining behind, every one was anxious to interelf the natives in his favour. As he perfevered in his refolution to the laft, every reader will naturally feci a wifti to learn fomewhat of the fubfequent fortune of a man voluntarily cutting himfelf off from the reft of the world — dubious
bious as the event may be, whether this knowledge may hereafter ever reach our ears. It is by no means improbable, if he has conducted himfelf well, that by this time he may have become a character of confiderable confequence : courage he poffeffed in an eminent degree, a virtue held in high eftimation by the natives. Unfortunately, his fituation in life having denied him any advantage of education, he was unable either to write or read, otherwife his memoirs, fince the year 1783, well digefted, might, to all the inveftigators of fimple nature, be infinitely more interefting than thofe of half the minifters and ftatefmen of Europe, who have only bequeathed to pofterity a remembrance of all thofe dark counfels, fecret devices, and profligate intrigues, which dif-turbed the tranquillity of the age they lived in.
CHAPTER
The Veffel fuccefs fully launched.—The great Satisfaction ex-preffed by the Natives on the Occafion.—Our People give the King the Remainder of the Tools.—Captain Wilson fent for by the King to the Watering-place, who propofes to make him a Rupack of tbefrfl Rank.—Invefls him with the higheft Order of the Bone.—A Defcription of the Ceremony.
I g ' HI E night proving fine, every hand had fufncient em-
•JL ployment in preparing things for launching the veffel; they fwept her with a lower-fhroud hawfer, and carried out an anchor and hawfer a-head, and got a runner and tackle purchafe upon it; they likewife got a port with wedges fet againft the flern-poft, and every thing ready before day-light. The tide ebbed extraordinary low this night, infomuch that fome of them walked dry to the flower-pot iiland, which had never been done at any other time before fince their coming to this place; it was low-water rather before two o'clock this morning. At day-light they began to try their work, to fee if their preparations would anfwer
1783.
NOVEMBER.
Sunday 9,
2
their
17*3* their withes, and got the veffel down about fix feet; they
NOVEMBER.
then flopped till high-water, and fent to the King, who with
all his attendants came over to be prefent at the launch._
About feven o'clock, our people happily got their veffel afloat, to the general joy of every fpectator, all appearing deeply interefted in the fuccefs of this event.—The EngliJJj gave three loud huzzas at her going off, in which they were joined by the natives, whofe friendly hearts feemed on this occafion to feel a fatisfaction little inferior to that of our own people, which may be fuppofed to have been great indeed.—The EngliJJj fliook hands with each other, with a cordiality but feldom experienced; and the mutual look of congratulation, exchanged from eye to eye, conveyed to each other's feelings, with energy and ardour, thofe fentiments of tranfport which words would not with equal force have communicated. The long-wiihed-for moment of deliverance was now almoft arrived ; every one faw again, in imagination, thofe objects of his affection, from whom, but a few weeks pair, he thought he had been feparated for ever. And the part the inhabitants of Pelew appeared to take in the comfort of the day, extinguifhed for the prefent every alarm that had been unjuflly entertained.-—Indeed the conduct of the latter now exhibited, in lovelier! colours, the triumph of native benevolence.—They faw thofe ftrangers ready to depart, from whofe aid they had benefited, and
from
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 233 from whofe talents and art they had received a knowledge 17S3.
NOVEMBER
and information which had never hitherto reached them; they faw them exhilarated with the profpect of returning once more (after all their dangers) to their own country, whither they were bearing back thofe envied faculties which they might never witnefs again. And yet we behold thefe virtuous natives, glowing with the fpirit of true philanthropy, in the general tranfport forgetting themfelves, and rejoicing with thofe that rejoiced !
The velfel was immediately hauled into a dock that had oeen dug for her, and fafely moored, when all went to breakfaft—the King and the Rupacks with the Captain, the attendants with the people : this was indeed the happicft and moft comfortable meal they had eaten fincc the lofs of the Antelope. When breakfaft was over, they got up (hears, and took in the mafts, the water-calks, and the two fix-pounders. They now made the King a prefent of all the other tools they could fpare ; and took up the ways, on account of the nails, of which they were in want. Tbe vcflel having flopped two or three times in the launching, which had caufed them fome trouble, and more uneafinefs, in taking up the ways they perceived that it had been occasioned by a nail in the bottom not being drove home, the head of which had grooved the plank all the length of the ways.—When the flood-tide came in the afternoon, they hauled the veffel into the bafon, which was a deep place of
H h four
1*^3- four or five fathom water, in the middle of the level fandy
KOVJiMDER.
flat of the harbour, large enough to hold three veffels of the fame magnitude, where they could lie afloat at low water. In the night they got on board all their provilion, ftores, ammunition, and arms, except fuch as were intended to be given to Abba Thulle ; and renewed their labour in Monday 10, the morning, taking on board their anchors, cables, and other neceffaries, making bitts, and fitting a rail acrofs the ftern of the veffel. In the morning the King fent a mef-fage to Captain Wilson, deliring him to come to him at the watering-place; and on his arrival acquainted him, that it was his intention to invert him with the order of the Bone, and make him in form a Rupack of the firft rank. The Captain expreffed his acknowledgments for the honour he pur-pofed to confer on him, and the pleafure he felt at being admitted a Chief of Pelew.—The King, and all the Rupacks, then went and fat down under the fhade of fome large trees, and Captain Wilson was defired to fit at a little diftance; when Raa Kook receiving the Bone, prefented it, as from his brother Abba Thulle, and wanted to know which hand he ufed in common; this the General wifhed to afcertain, by putting a ftone in his hand, which he defired him to throw at a diftance ; finding it was the right hand he naturally ufed, he was again requefted to fit down, and the Bone was applied to his left hand, to fee if it was large enough for his hand to flip through;
4 being
THE PELEW ISLANDS, 235 being not found fufficiently fo, it was rafped away, till 1783.
NOVEMBER.
judged to be wide enough, when Raa Kook, the Chief Minifer, and all the Rupacks, proceeded to the inveftment, in* the following manner : — The General made ai Airing faff to each of the fingers of the Captain's left-hand, and then lubricating the hand with oil, the Chief Minifter placed himfelf behind the Captain, holding him fa ft by the fhoulders ; Raa Kook then palled the different firings through the Bone, and giving them to another Rupack, they endeavoured to draw his hand through; Raa Kook at the fame time, with his own hand, comprefting that of the Captain into the fmalleft compafs he poflibly could, fo that the Bone might pafs over the joints. During this the moil profound filencc was preferved, both by the Rupacks who aflifted, and the people who attended as fpectators, except by the King, who occafionally fuggefted in what manner they might facilitate the operation. The point being at laft obtained, and the hand fairly paffed through, the whole aftembly expreffed great joy. Abba Thulle then addrefling Captain Wilson, told him, that the Bone fljould be rubbed bright every day, and preferved as a teflimony of the rank he held amongjl them; that this mark of dignity muft, on every occafion, be defended valiantly, nor fuffered to be torn fronhhis arm^bui with the lofs of life.
The ceremony ended, all the Rupacks congratulated Cap-tamjWiLSON on his being one of their order; and the in-
II h 2 fevior
1783- ferior natives nocked round to look at the Bone, and ap-
NOVE.UiiER.
peared highly pleafed to fee his arm adorned with it, calling him Englees Rupack.
Thofe who may have been witnelfes of the conferring the more fplendid orders of diftinc"lion, bellowed by fovereigns of powerful and polifhed kingdoms, where the Gothic hall is decorated with waving banners—where mitred prelates afTiil the ceremony—where the pomp of regal Hate impofes on the fenfe—and the blaze of fuperb ornaments, beaming from female beauty, gracing the ceremony, overpowers the fpectator with a vail difplay of magnificence—fuch may, with a fmile of contumely read the conceptions of thefe children of nature, or be difpofed to ridicule the fimplicity with which the unadorned natives of Pelew hold a chapter of their highefl Order of the Bone. But it will be recollected, that the objet'i and the end are every where the fame.—This mark of diftinction is given and received in thofe regions as a reward of valour and fidelity, and held out as the prize of merit. ■—In this light fuch public honours were originally conli-dered, and flill ought to be fo, in every ilate, from Pelew to Britain.—And while they continue to be thus regarded, they will operate on the human pailions, excite emulation, infpire courage, promote virtue, and challenge refpect.— The decoration indeed derives all its fplendor from the combined ideas of the mind whilft viewing it; and the
imagination
imagination is equally imprelfed with the fame fcntiment, whether the badge of honour be a ftrip of velvet tied round the knee, a tuft of ribband and crofs dangling at the button-hole, a fear embroidered on the coat, or a Bone upon the arm.
CHAP T ER
C II A P T E 11 XX.
i
1783. The good Con duel of the Natives, not to difiurb or impede the
NOVEMBER.
Operations of our People.—The King informs Captain Wilson of his Intention to fend his fecond Son, Lee Boo, under his Care, to England.—Raa Kook having alfo folicited Abba Thulle's PermiJJton to accompany the Englilh, is refufed by bis Brother, on very prudential Motives. — A fin-gular Occurrence refpe&ing one of the King's Nephews.— The Time of the VeffePs Departure noticed—and, preparatory to it, an Infcription, cut on a Plate of Copper, is fixed to a large Tree, to record the Lofs of the Antelope.
Monday 10 T " evening tents were all cleared, and every thing carried on hoard from the old habitations at the Cove.— Our people being much hindered by the natives wifhing to come on board the veffel to fee and admire her, it was obferved by Raa Kook, and mentioned by him to the King, who immediately gave directions that none but the Chiefs fhould go, and that the others fhould only paddle alongside, and look at her from their canoes. When all the flores were on board, and the fails bent, the Captain invited Abba Thulle to accompany him in her round to the watering-
tering-placc, which he declined, and went with his attendants over land; the invitation was however accepted by the General and Arra Kooker,, who were highly delighted at every manoeuvre ; their canoes, with many others, full of the natives, attended them, fhovtting hallooing, and rejoicing, Raa Kook calling out continually to his people to obferve every motion and action of the Englifh in conducting their veffel. They carried her to the weft fide of the iiland, and moored her in fix fathom, abreaft of the well of frefti water.—Captain Wilson then went on fhore to the King, accoirq^anicd by Raa Kook and Arra Kooker, who related to their brother every circumftance they had noticed, defcribing particularly the man heaving the lead, and the manner of anchoring.—Some canoes, as ufual, had been out a nfhing, and caught a great quantity, of which they had made no diftribution, waiting for the Englifh to come and fhare with them; this friendly attention could not be accepted, as all our people were on board, and they had no convenience as yet made for a fire-place in their little veffel. The King then afked the Captain to ftay and eat fome of the fifti with him, which he complied with, the interpreter remaining with him.
Abba Thulle had, in his vifits to Oroolong, been always, a very attentive obferver of whatever he faw the EngUfh were employed in, ftanding by them frequently whilft at work for a confiderable time, and noticing every trivial occurrence..—
AN ACCOUNT OF
rencc.—He had already, as will be recollected, hinted an intention of fending two of his people to England, whenever the velfel was ready to depart; and this evening, after fupper, reverting to what he had formerly mentioned, he explained himfelf more fully on the fubject; he told the Captain, that though his fubjects looked up to him with refpect, and regarded him as not only fuperior in rank but in knowledge, yet, that after being with the EngJi/Jj, and contemplating their ingenuity, he had often felt his own inhgnificance, in feeing the loweft man, whom the Captain had under his command, exercife talents that he had ever been a ftranger to ; he had therefore refolved to intruft his fecond fon, whofe name was Lee Boo, to Captain Wilson's care, that he might have the advantage of improving himfelf by accompanying the EngliJJj, and of learning many things, that might at his return greatly benefit his own country,—He added, that one of the Malays from Pelelew mould alfo go to attend on him.—He defcribed his fon as a young man of an amiable and gentle difpofition; that he was fenfi-ble, and of a mild temper, and fpoke much in his commendation ; faid he had fent for him from a diftant place, where he had been under the care of an old man ; that he was then at Pelew, taking leave of his friends, and would be with him at Oroolong the next morning; Raa Kook alfo joined, with his brother Arra Kooker, in giving the fame good character of their nephew.
Captain
Captain Wilson replied, that he was exceedingly obliged 1783-and honoured by this lingular mark of his confidence and eftcem ; that he fhould have thought himfelf bound in gratitude to take care of any perfon belonging to Pelew, whom the King might fend; but in this cafe, he wifhed to affure him, that he fhould endeavour to merit the high trull repofed in him, by treating the young prince with the lame tendernefs and affection as his own fon.—This anfwer gave vifible fatif-faction; and then the converfation changing, the King expref-fed a wifh that the velfel might go down to Pelew before her departure; the reafon he affigned for making this requeft was, that many of the men had enjoyed various opportunities, at Oroolong, of feeing the veffel and her conftruction; but that this had not been the cafe with the aged, the women, and the children; that, if they went down to Pelew, thefe latter would then have the pleafure of gratifying their curiofity ; that the mothers would hereafter talk over to their children and families the Angularity of the light, recall the circumftance to their memories, and by this means the name of the TLnglifh, and of their building fuch a veffel on the ifland of Oroolong, would be preferved by his people, which was what he much wifhed. — Captain Wilson, who well knew the difpofition of his own people, and was in his mind fully perfuaded that their former fufpicions would revive, and induce them to doubt whether fome treachery
I i was
178.5- was not concealed under this requeft; fearing alfo, that the casernefs of the natives to come on board and view her inte-rior, as well as her exterior form, might caufe confufion and delay, oppofed the King's propofal, by fuggefting fuch well-conceived objections to it, that he acquiefced, and nothing more was ever faid on the fubject.
It may not be improper in this place to notice, that from the time Raa Kook was buried with the King in painting the velfel, it was obferved, that there was a penlive gloom about him, which they had never before feen cloud his countenance, . naturally open and cheerful.—The Captain found it had been occafioncd by a difappointmcnt he had met with.—His great attachment to the EngliJJj had induced him to aik his brother's pcrmiflion to accompany them to England, to which the King had refufed his confent; afligning the neceflity he was under to object to it, from the circumftance of his being the next heir, and the inconvenience that would arife in cafe of his own death when he mould be abfent; the fuc-ceflion of the fovereignty of Pelew firft devolving to the brothers of the King, in fucceflion, and after their deaths reverting to the eldeft fon of the firft branch of the family ; the fecond fon becoming, of courfe, hereditary General of the forces. And though the good underftanding which Raa Kook poffefled, fhewed him the impropriety of what he had defired, and the prudent ground of his brother's refufal, yet it was
5 evident
evident it had much depreffed him ; indeed, the very ftrong partiality he had from the firft teftified for our countrymen, the pleafurc he always feemed to enjoy in their fociety, and the intereft he certainly felt in their wxlfare, would naturally touch his fenfibility, make him fee with regret the fails of his departing friends unfurled, and accelerate the pang of a farewel look!
At day-light every body was bufied, in filling water, Tuefday tt. bending the fails, completing the fire-place, and getting the veffel ready for fea.
Early this forenoon a circumftance arofe of a nature too fingular to be omitted.—There was a young man frequently with our people, who had taken a pleafurc to affimilate himfelf to all their ways and manners, and who now applied to Captain Wilson, to folicit him to take him in his veffel to England ; he was anfwered by the Captain, that it would be impoflible to do it without the direction and confent of the King, who had already fpoken to him of taking his fon and another man ; but, that as he wifhed it, he would fpeak to the King, and know his pleafurc—The young man above alluded to, was the King's nephew, and fon of that brother who had been killed at Artingall, and whofe death had occafioned the war which had fo lately been terminated between his uncle and thofe people.—Captain Wilson accordingly mentioned the
I i 2 affair
244 ANACCOUNTOF 1783- affair to the King, who appeared much difpleafed at the
NOVEMBER.
application ; faid his nephew was a had man, and neglected his family; that he had himfelf, two or three times, lince the deceafe of his father, changed his houfe and plantation for him, in order to cure his rambling difpofition, but that nothing feemed to affect, or alter him.—The nephew now prefented himfelf to urge his own fuit, probably thinking, that the Captain, being prefent, would fecond his requeft.—The King gave him an abfolute denial, faying, " Tou are undutiful, and neglectful of your mother ; you have " deferving and good women for your wives, to whom, as well " as to all your relations, you behave ill, for which you have " been juflly expofed throughout the whole ifland. — Tou are " afhamed of your conduct, and zvould now fly from your fa-" mily; you /ball not have my confent, and I deflre the Captain *< not to countenance you ; flay at home, and let your fenfe of a frame amend your life"
The Captain intimated to Abba Thulle, that the veffel being completed, and the weather and wind fair, they intended to fail the next day: this circumftance feemed to give him great concern; he faid he had, by the return of the meffenger who came to him at the iiland of Pethoull, fent word to the Rupacks of the different iflands in friend-fhip with him, that the day after the day that the Captain now mentioned would be the time of departure, they all
wifhing
wifhing to bring the EngliJJj fome prefents for their voyage, as memorials of their regard; and would in confequence come up the evening of the next day, in full hope of feeing them before they quitted Oroolong, a fatisfaction they would now be deprived of.—Captain Wilson told Abba Thulle, they had been fo amply flocked with provifions by what his goodnefs had prepared for them, that they had fufficient Itore for all their voyage, and that the wind and weather befriending them, they muft requeft to take leave of him the next day. The disappointment the Chiefs would feel, fcnfibly affected the King, as well as the recollection that he had himfelf been made the innocent inftrument of deceiving them. The Captain was alfo much hurt at finding the uneafinefs this cir* cumftance had occafioned, and the more fo, when he perceived that the generality of the King's mind foon overcame it; for he almoft directly told him, that, as it muft be the /aft day, he requefted himfelf and his officers would dine with him on fhore ; which they all accordingly did*—The true caufe which induced the Englijh to think of going a day earlier than they had given out, was to avoid the vaft concourfe of ftrangers, who they knew were coming, and whom, they feared, would impede their operations by the number of their canoes, and their curiofity to examine the velfel; the buftle and confuiion that this would ne-ceffarily have occafioned, muft have unavoidably incom-8 moded
i/83- modcd our men, and prevented them from going away
NOVEMBER*
with that calmnels and recollection their departure, and paffage over the reef, required. — After dinner, Arra Kooker, who had, from the fir ft day of his feeing the Newfoundland Dog, fet his heart on the animal, and had often expreffed a longing detire to poffefs it when our people went away, now renewed his folicitations: from the earneftnefs with which he begged it, and the care he af-fured them he would take of it, they were induced to make him happy, and relinquifh all right in poor Sailor.
Raa Kook, whofe thoughts were of a different turn, and whofe ideas were wholly intent on benefitting his country by every information he could obtain from the Englijlj, made many enquiries about the method of building a veffel in their way ; Mr. Barker drew him a plan to work by, recommending the jolly-boat as a model, rather than the pinnace, fhe being broader, and not of fo deep a form. He expreffed a wifli to have the launching-ways left, and faid, if he was able to compafs fuch a purpofe, that he would do it on the fame fpot, cfteeming it to be fortunate.— Abba Thulle, who had been diverted by Arra Kooker's requeft, appeared to lend a very ferious attention to the fubject which had fo much engaged Raa Kook ; obferving that with the iron and tools they had now in their poffef-fion, they could do more work in a few days, than they
could
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 247 could before in as many months.—While the Captain was J"83-
NOVEMBER,
on more, fome words had arifen between two of his men on board, which had produced a blow, and a bloody nofe; this palling on the deck, and being feen by many of the natives, who were alongiide in their canoes, the account of it foon reached the fhore ; the Captain went immediately on board to enquire the caufe. After reprimanding the parties, he returned to the King, who being apprized of the bulinefs, was told that it was a trilling difpute, and the effect of paf-fion ; on hearing which, he faid, " there were in all coun-*j tries had men, who he fuppofed could not be kept in order" Some of the Rupacks, however, afked if fuch an accident might happen to the young man who was to go with him (meaning the King's fon) ; Captain Wilson alfured them no fuch thing could, as Lee Boo would be as his own fon, and entirely under his own care : with which anfwer they all appeared fatisfied.
Before our people quitted the Cove, they left an Englijb pendant boifted on a large tree, which grew clofe to where their tents had flood; and cut upon a plate of copper the following infeription, which, after being nailed to a thick board, was affixed to a tree near the fpot where they had built their little veffel :
The
NOVEMBER.
The Honourable Englilh Eaft India Company's Ship
The Antelope, Henry Wilson, Commander, Was loft upon the reef north of this ifland In the night between the 9th and 10th of
Auguft j Who here built a veflel, And failed from hence The iath day of November 1783,
The meaning of this infcription was explained to the King, and that it was put up as a memorial of the EngliJJj having been there.—He was pleafed with the idea, and explained it himfelf to his own people, promifing that it fhould never be taken down, and if by any accident it fhould happen to fall, he would take care of it, and have it preferved at Pelew.
The difcourfe of the day turned much on the fubject of their departure; whilft they fat together, Abba Thulle,
addrefline
j
addreffing Captain Wilson, faid, " Tou are going ; and « when gone, I fear the inhabitants of Artingall will " co7ne down in great numbers and moleft me, as they have 64 done frequently before; and, having lofl the aid of the Eng-" lifli, I/hall be unable to refijl them, unlefs you will leave " me a few of your mufquets, which you have already taught " me to hope you would"— Captain Wilson fpoke to his officers on the propriety of doing this inftantly ; they feemed fomewhat unwilling to put the arms they actually meant to give them, into their hands till the laft moment;—that mii-truft which had panelled their minds, ftill kept its hold, and appeared too ftrongly imprelfed on their countenances to efcape the quick difcernment of the King; who, willing perhaps that they fhould know he had noticed their apprchen-ftons, with that calm refle&ing temper which marked his character, afked if they were afraid to truft him with a few arms ? " What is there (faid he) can make you harbour " doubts of me? I never tejlified any fear of you, but en-" deavoured to convince you that I wifJjed your friendfjjip, " Had I been difpofed to have banned you, I might have done " it long ago ; / have at all times had you in my power—but " have only exercifed that pozver in making it ufeful to you " "-and can.you not confide in me at the laft ?"
When the foregoing pages are attentively confitlered, the hofpitality with which our people had been treated, both by Abba Thulle and the natives, from the fir it
K k friendly
i783- friendly interview to the prefent moment—who had fpread
NOVEMBER,
before them whatever they had to give, or their country produced, and who, added to all this, as an unequivocal proof of the high opinion he entertained of the Eng-HJby was going to confign his own fon to their care —is there a reader who, recalling all thefe circumftances, can wonder they affected the fenfibility of Abba Thulle ?—Or rather, will there be found a reader who will not be ready with myfelf to afk, Under what fun was ever tempered the fleel that could cut fuch a paffage to the heart as this juft reproach of the King's ? Every individual felt its force, and its truth ; every individual alfo felt how much his mind had injured the virtues of this excellent man.—Nor was the wound of this reproach rendered lefs acute by the con-fcioufnefs each man had, of having been fo lately induced, by his unjuft fears, to join in fuch deftrrictive counfel againft him and his family.
But the eye of philofbphy will candidly view and discriminate between the two parties; the people of Pelew, tutored in the fchool of Nature, acted from her impulfe alone, they were open and undifguifed ; unconfcious of deceit themfelves, they neither feared nor looked for it in others.—Our countrymen—born and brought up in a civilized nation, where Art affumes every form and colouring of life, and is even peFfectioned into a fcience, were fa-fhioned by education to fufpicion and diftruft, and awake
to
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 251 to all their bufy fugp-eftions.—Such is the fatal knowledge i/83-
00 M NOVEMBER.
the world teaches mankind, fencing too often the human heart againft the inlets of its own happinefs, by weakening confidence, the moft valuable bond of fociety !
The King's rebuke was too powerful for our people to refift ; they inftantly defired the Captain to aifure him, that whatever had been promifed fhould be faithfully fulfilled, and, to convince him they could have no fufpicions, the arms fhould be immediately given to him ; they accordingly fent on board for the quantity of arms they could with conveniency fpare, and on the boat's return prefented him with five mufquets, five cutlaffes, near a barrel of gunpowder, with gun-flints and ball in proportion. Captain Wilson alfo made him a prefent of his own fowling-piece, with which he feemed to be particularly pleafed, having often feen its effect on the fowls and other birds at Pelew.
And now the gentle fpirit of the King appeared to forget the trace of all that had happened ; —but the fcene enabled every one prefent to tranfmit to pofterity a moft captivating picture of the forcible, yet mild triumph of virtue !
Kk %
CHAPTER
CHAPTER XXI.
Lee Boo arrives, and is introduced to Captain Wilson ; who, at the King's Defire, remains all Night on Shore.—The interejling Manner in which he delivers his Son to his Care.— The Captain gives Blanchard Advice how to conduct him* felf—In the Morning Signals for failing reared.—A Boat fent to bring the Captain on board.—The King and his Brothers, accompany them to the Reef.—Multitudes of the Natives, in their Canoes, furround the Veffel to tefiify their Regard.—The King takes an affectionate Leave of the Eng-Jifh. — Character of Abba Thulle.—Raa Kook crojes the Reef, and goes a good Way to Sea before he quits them. —His Character.—The Englifli proceed on their Voyage to
China.
T N the evening arrived the King's fecond fon, Lie Boo ; ^ he was brought from Pelew by his elder brother, Qui Bill, to accompany our people to England. His father introduced him to Captain Wilson, and then to the officers who were on fhore; he approached them all in fo eafy and fo affable a manner, and had fo much good-humour and fenfibility in his countenance, that every one
6 was
was. immediately imprefled in his favour, and felt that in- tfftfr
MttVBftnSfe
tereft for him which his amiable manners daily increafed.— Before dark the officers took their leave of the King, and went on board the Oroolong, leaving the Captain behind, whom Arba Thulle had requelted to pafs the night on fhore. The King now (having Lee Boo clofe at Lib lide) difcoiirfed much with him, giving him inflructions how to conduft bimfelf, and what he was to attend to; telling him he was henceforward to look upon Captain Wilson as another father, and win his affection by obferving his advice. —Then, addrcfling the Captain, faid, " When Lee Boo got " to England, he would have fuch fine things to fee, that " he might chance to flip away from him, to run after no-t« velty ; but that he hoped the Captain would keep him as " much as he could under his eye, and endeavour to mode-" rate the eap/ernefs of his vouth."
After further converfation relative to the confidence repofed in Captain Wilson, Abba Thulle concluded his recommendation in nearly thefe expretfions : —" I would " wifh you to inform Lee Boo of ail things which he ought to " knoiv, and make him an Englifli man.—The fubjett of pan-" ing with my fon I have frequently revolved;—/ am well H aware that the diftant countries he muft go through, differ-* ing much from his own, may expofe him to dangers, as «* well as to difeafes that are unknown to us here, in confe-
" quence
t
1783. " quence of which be may die ; — / bave prepared my though is
NOVEMBER.
" to this ; — I know that death is to all men inevitable, and " whether my fon meets this event at Pelew, or eljewhere, is " immaterial.—/ am fatisfied, from what I have obferved of f the humanity of your character, that if he is fick, you zvill be " kind to him; and, fhould that happen, which your utmofl " care cannot prevent, let it not binder you, or your brother, " or your fon, or any of your countrymen, returning here ; / " fljall receive you, or any of your people, in friendfl/ip, and re-" jo ice to fee you again"
Captain Wilson repeated his affurance, that he would have the fame care for Lee Boo as for his own child, and that nothing fhould be wanting on his part to teftify, in his attention to the fon, the gratitude and regard he fhould ever feel for the father.
The thoughts of the King, as well as thofe of the Captain, were too much engaged, to devote much of the night to ileep; Abba Thulle paffed a considerable part of it, as did alfo the Rupacks, in difcourfing with their young countryman, who was now launching into a new and untried world, and on the point of being feparated by an im-menfe diftance from every former connection.—Being now fo near to their departure, Captain Wilson took this op-portuni|y to talk again with Blanchard, and to give him advice how he fhould conduct himfelf towards the 2 natives,
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 255 natives, and in what things he could he inftructive and i783-
NOVEMBER.
beneficial to them; particularly in working fuch iron as had been given to them, and what more they might hereafter obtain from the wreck; and alfo in taking care of the arms and ammunition they had left them, which would be of the utmoft confequence ; requeuing he would never go naked, like the natives, as, by preferving the form of drefs his countrymen had appeared in, he would always fupport a fuperiority of character; and, that he might be better enabled to follow this advice, he was furnifhed with all the clothes they could fpare ; and directed, when thefe were worn out, to make himfelf trowfers with a mat, which he could always procure from the natives, and thereby pre-ferve that decency he had always been accuftomed to.—Nor in the inftructions delivered to him, were forgotten an attention to his religion; he was earneftly exhorted not to neglect thofe acts of devotion which he had been taught to practife.; and to keep a Sabbath or Sunday, and follow thofe Chriltian duties in which he had been educated. — He was lafUy defired to afk for any thing that he might think would be of ufe and comfort to him ;—when he requeued to have one of the Ihip's compaffes; and, as the pinnace was to be left, that they might have the mafts, fails, oars, and every thing belonging to her ; which were all given, as foon as they had towed the velfel over the reef.
In the morning, at day-light, an Engli/h jack was hoifted Wedncfday
12.
at
1783. at the mail-head of the veffel, and one of the fwivels fired,
KOVEMBER. . . .
as a fignw lor lading ; this being explained to the King, he ordered boats immediately to take on board yams, cocoa-nuts, fweetmeats, and other things provided for the voyage; befide which, many canoes of the natives, loaded with a pro-fufion of provilion, lay alongfide the Oroolong; fo that, had all the expelled northern Rupacks added their intended prefents, it would have fupplied a fhip of five times the iize.
As foon as the veffel was loaded with every thing they could take on board, and ready for fea, the boat was fent on fhore for the Captain; who acquainting the King therewith, he figniiied that he and his fon would come on board pre-iently in his canoe. — Captain Wilson then took Blanchard, as alfo the five men who had come on fhore for him, into a temporary houfe that had been erected for the accommodation of the Rupack Maath, who was expedled from the northward, and being entered, he once more re-quefted Blanchard to imprefs on his memory all that advice which he had before given him, and particularly to be obfervant of his duty, that the people of Pelew might thereby fee that he retained that faith and fenfe of religion in which he had been trained. He then made the feamen prefentfcneel down with him, and unite in thankfgiving to that Supreme Being, who had not only fupported their fpirits in the mid ft of feverc toils and dangers, but had
now
now opened to them the means of deliverance.— During this act of devotion, the King and his Chiefs remained near the entrance of the houfe, obferved and well knew what our people were about, and preferved a profound filence.
It alfo muft be noticed, that when Lee Boo came up, a balket, with fome dozens of a fruit refembliug an apple, was brought from Pelew ; they were of an oblong lliape, and in colour of a deep crimfon, not unlike what are called in England The Dutch Paradife Apple —They fpoke of them as a fruit that was very rare, and faid they were juft coming in feafon. The Captain gave one to each of his officers, being a fruit they had not feen before ; and the reft he carefully refervcd for his young paffcnger, to treat him with during his voyage.
About eight o'clock in the morning the Captain went on board in his boat; the King, with his fon Lee Boo, and his Rupacks, followed him very foon in their canoes, accompanied by Blanchard ; their little veffel was fo deeply loaded with their fea ftores, that a doubt arofe, whether fhe might be able to get over the Reef, it was therefore agreed to land the two fix-pounders, and leave the jolly-boat behind, they having no materials wherewith to repair her, and without it flie could not much longer fwim. This being made known to the King, and that they were in want of a boat,
* Of this fruit there arc different forts, in many of the South Sea iflands; it is the Jamboo Apple, the Eugenia Malaccenfti of Linnveus.
L 1 he
i783- he immediately offered to fupply them with a canoe, and
NOVEMBER.
pointed to feveral then alongfide ; all which being too large to hoift on board the veffel, the King difpatched his eldeft fon Qui B i l l on fhore, who foon returned with one of a proper fize.
Mr. Sharp had been defired to take the King's fon under his particular care, till the Oroolong fhould arrive at ChIna ; and Abba Thulle now pointed out Mr. Sharp to him, whom he faid was to be his Sucalic\ and from that moment Lee Boo attached himfelf to him, keeping clofe at his fide in whatever part of the veffel he went. In putting every thing to order before the Oroolong moved, there was a fmall fail belonging to the pinnace, which could not be found. Blanchard was now got into the pinnace, in order to take the veffel in tow; he had, with the moft unwearied afliduity, lent his countrymen every af-fiftance in his power to the laft, and, having laid up carefully the fail enquired after, came on board to fhew where he had flowed it; which having done, he wifhed them all a profperous voyage, and, without teftifying the fmalleft degree of regret, took leave of all his old fhip-mates, with as much eafe as if Hthey were only failing from London to Gravesend, and were to return with the next tide.
The ORoolong now proceeded towards the reef; and, loaded as fhe had been by Abba Thulle's bounty, even to fuperfluity, with whatever he conceived might be ufeful or
pleafant
THE PELEW ISLANDS. a59 pleafant to his departing friends, yet on either fide of her *783-
NOVEMBER.
were a multitude of canoea, filled with the common natives, who had all brought our people prefents from themfelves, intreating they might be accepted.—It was in vain they were told that the velfel was fo full there was no room to receive any thing more; each held up a little fomething, " Only this from mi* —" Only this for me" was the general cry;—the repetition of which was urged with fuch fupplicating countenances, and watery eyes, that this bewitching teftimony of affection and generofity almoft overcame every one on board.—From fome of thofe who were neareft, a few yams or cocoa-nuts were accepted; and the poor creatures, whofe intreaties could not be attended to, unable to bear the difappointment, paddled ahead, and threw the little prefents they had brought into the pinnace, totally ignorant that ihe was to return back with Blanchard.
Several canoes preceded the pinnace, to mark the fafeft track for the veffel; and others were ftationed at the reef, by the King's command, to point out the dcepefl water for her paffage over it: by all the previous examinations, as well as by the prefent precautions, the Oroolong cleared the reef without the leaft difficulty.
The King accompanied the Engliflj in their velfel, almoft to the reef, before he made a fignal for his canoe to come
L 1 2 alongfide;
*783- alonefide; he gave Lee Boo his bleffins:, wiiliing him November. & r ° i 5' o
happy and profperous, which his fon received with great
reflect.—Seeing Captain Wilson bufied in giving directions to his people, he ftopt till he found him quite at liberty, and then went up to him and embraced him with great tcndernefs, mewing, by his looks and voice, how much he was diftreffed to bid him farewell; he fhook all the officers by the hand, in a moft cordial manner; faying, " Tou are happy becaufe you are going home ;—/ am happy " to find you are happy—but jlill very unhappy mvjelf to fee you H going away''—Then, afTuring our people of his affectionate wiihes for their fuccefsful voyage, he went over the fide of the veffel into his canoe.—Moft of the Chiefs on board left them at the fame time, except Raa Kook, and a few men who attended him, who would fee the Englifh clear of danger to the out fide of the reef. As the canoes drew clofe and furrounded that of the King, the natives all looked up eagerly, as to take leave, whilft their countenances expreffed all their benevolent hearts felt, in looks more expreflive than language. Our countrymen might with truth fay, they left a whole people in tears ; and fo fenhbly were they im-prefTed themfelves by this interefting fcene, that when Abba Thulle and his train turned back to Oroolong, they were hardly able to give them three cheers, and their eyes purfued them to catch the lateft look, whilft every man
5 on
on board, with the warmeft emotions of gratitude, felt the J783-efficacy of his fervices, which in a great me am re had brought about their deliverance—and the fteadinefs of his friendihip, which, though from imaginary alarms at times doubted, they had found firm and unfhaken to the laft.
Having now bid adieu to this good and amiable prince, it may not be improper to give an outline of his general character.—It is more than probable, that the curtain is for ever dropped between him and the world !—He is entered into his own unnoticed domains, where he and his Anceftry have palTed a long fucceffion of ages in oblivious filence, unknowing and unknown to their cotemporaries inhabiting the reft of the globe.—An accident, wholly unexpected, hath given us at laft a traniient light of thefe people; nor is it likely that they will again be fought or looked after, as they poffefe nothing but good fenfe and virtue, and live in a country which fupplies no materials that may tempt die avarice of mankind to difturb their tranquillity.—If they have not, nor yet know the comforts of civilized nations, the advantages of ja-rts, or the blandifhments of luxury—they have, in counter-poife, been ignorant of the anxieties they awaken, the paf-fions which they inflame, and the crimes they give birth to! —Even in their ftate of native fimplicity, as pictured in the foregoing pages, there is, I fhould conceive, fufheient matter to intereft, and ftill far more to admire. With regard to the excellent man, who ruled over thefe foils of Nature, he certain! y,
1783. tainly, iu every part of his conduct:, {hewed himfelf firm,
KOVL'MDER, ,
noble, gracious, and benevolent; there was a dignity in all his deportment, a gentlenefs in all his manners, and a warmth and feniibility about his heart, that won the love of all who approached him.—Nature had bellowed on him a contemplative mind, which he had himfelf improved by thofe reflections that good fenfe dictated, and obfervation confirmed.—His remarks on the affair of the mufquets was as pointed, and at the fame time as delicate a reproof as perhaps was ever thrown out.—His converfation with Captain Wilson, refpecting his fon, whilft it fhewed an unbounded confidence on the part of the King, marked alfo the force of great fentiment and reafoning; and his rebuke, when refilling his nephew's folicitation, difcovered a heart tutored in the fentiments of refined honour.
Thehappinefs of his people feemed to be always in Abba Thulle's thoughts.—In order more effectually to ftimulate them to ufeful labour, he had himfelf learnt all the few arts they poffefted, and was looked on, in fome of them, to be the beft workman in his dominions.—His requefting from Captain Wilson the Chinefe mat, was only to give his people a better pattern than their own to follow ; and, in fending his fon to England, and in the long inftructions given him before his departure, he had not, nor could have, any other object in view, but that of benefitting his fubjects by the future improvements he would bring back to his country;
2 ideas,
ideas, which the intercourfe he had had with the Emlifb l7h-muft have folely excited.—In fhort, had his lot been thrown to rule over a great nation, connected with mankind, one is at liberty to conjecture, that his talents and natural difpohtion might have made him the Peter of the fouthcrn world !
Placed as he was by Providence in its obfcurer fcenes, he lived beloved by his Chiefs, and revered by his people ; over whom, whilft he preferved a dignity that diftinguifhed his fuperior ftation, he reigned more as the father than the fo-vereign.—The eyes of his fubjecrs beheld their naked prince with as much awe and refpect, as thofe are viewed with who govern polilhed nations, and are decorated with all the dazzling parade and ornaments of royalty; nor was the purple robe, or the fplendid diadem neceffary to point out a character, which the mafterly hand of Nature had rendered fo perfect!
Having paffed the reef, and being clear of prefent danger, every one would have been in great fpirits, had not the pain of quitting thefe friendly people overfhadowed their joy.—Raa Kook remained very penfive, and fuffered the velfel to proceed a confiderable way from the reef before he recollected himfelf, and fummoned his canoes to return back.—As this Chief had been their firft and truly valuable friend, they prefented him with a brace of piftols, and a car-touch-box loaded with the proper cartridges.—The pinnace being now at the fide of the veffel, the Captain and officers
were
were prepared to take leave of the General; but, when the moment of feparation arrived, he was fo affected, that he was at firft unable to fpeak; he took them cordially by the hand, and pointing with the other to his heart, faid, it was there he felt the pain of bidding them farewell; nor were there any on board who faw his departure without fharing nearly the fame diitxefs.—He addreffed Lee Boo by his name, and fpoke a few words to him; but, being unable to proceed, he went into the boat, when, immediately quitting the rope, he gave our people a laft, affectionate look, then dropped aftern.
This excellent man appeared to be fomewhat upwards of forty years of age, was of a middling ftature, rather inclinable to be lufty; he had a great expreflion of fen-fibility in his countenance, tempered with abundant goodnature. His character was firm and determined, yet full of humanity ; in whatever he undertook he was fteady and per-fevering; he delivered his orders to the people with the utmoft lenity, but would be obeyed; and they, on every occafion, feemed to ferve him with ardour and alacrity, as if mingling affection with duty. The reader muft have obferved, that from his firft interview with our people, he had fhewn an attachment to them, which was never after lef-fened or cooled. He was not of fo ferious a eaft as the King, nor had he that turn for humour and mimickry which Arra
Kooker
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 265 Kooker fo itrondy poffeffed : but be was always pleafant and *783-
01 * NOVEMBER.
lively, had abundant good-humour, and wcll-difpofed to laughter, when it was occafionally excited. He had an eager fpirit of inquiry, and a defire to examine the caufes and rea-fons of every effect, which he faw produced, and was wonderfully quick in comprehending whatever was defcribed to him; his mind was ftrong and active, his behaviour manly and courteous, and accompanied with fo nice a fenfe of honour, that he felt it wounded whenever any of the natives had, by their little trifling thefts, violated, as he judged, the laws of hofpita-lity, which he held moft facred, and always difcovered an impatience till he could make them reitore what they had taken away. This he carried fo far as even to fliew his difpleafure at the Chief minijlcr, for requeuing a cutlafs of Captain Wilson (at the firft interview) thinking it a breach of this virtue, to folicit a favour of thofe who were fo fitu-ated, as not to be at liberty to refufe the requeft, though the granting it might be inconvenient. He was much amufed by the peculiar manner of the Chmefe, and their way of talking; would frequently fit down to pick oakum with them, on purpofc to fee more of them, without feeming to intrude. Our people were probably partly indebted to his good offices for the itcady friendfhip the King had for them; at lcaft, on their firft coming, he certainly interefted his brother in their favour. He beheld all duplicity with indignation, and publicly, before the King, fhewed his contempt of
M m Soogle,
Soogle, the Malay, who had dared to throw out infinua-tions prejudicial to the Englijh. He was communicative to our people on every occafion, and at all times willing to explain any thing to them; and, had they always had the linguift at their elbow, or a language in which they could have eafier converfed with him, many things might have been cleared up, which muft now remain undetermined.— With all thefe excellent qualities, he appeared in his do-meftic character equally refpectable; as the reader will recollect, who has had a view of his pleafant deportment in his own family, and has feen him in all the filent majefty of grief attending the obfequies of a valiant fon who had been flain in fighting for his country.—To all thefe circumftances I muft add, that the concern he difcovered in taking leave of his nephew, and our countrymen, evidently proved there was no fmall portion of fenfibility lodged about his heart.
Whilft I am doling this laft remark on the character of Raa Kook, I cannot avoid making a general obfervation on the people of Pelew, who, though they appeared to be Philofophers in adverfity, Stoics in pain, and Heroes in death, yet, in many of the more delicate feelings of the human breaft, they pofTeffed all the amiable tendernefs of a woman !
CHAPTER
CHAPTER XXII. I783.
NOVEMBER.
The Englifh, in the Oroolong, quit the Pelew Iflands.—An Account of their Paffage from thence to Macoa.—Their Arrival there.—They difpofe of their Veffel, and proceed to Canton, where they embark for England.
OU R countrymen being now in a fair way of getting to Wednefday China, after parting with their humane friends of Pelew, hauled up along the back of the reef, N. W. by N. having the end of the outer breakers on their lee-beam.— At noon the ifland of Oroolong bore S.E. byE. \ E. diftant about four leagues, from whence they took their departure; its latitude being 70 19/ north, and longitude 1340 40' eaft of Greenwich.
The two firft days after leaving the Pelew iflands, our r Thurfday people had tolerable weather, with light fqualls and rain, the CFt!2j 14. wind variable from E. to S. E. with which they fleered to the northward.—Lee Boo, the firft night he flept on board, ordered Boy am, his fervant (who was one of the two Malays from Pelelew) to bring his mat upon deck; a warmer covering was ordered forhim, todefend him from the cold.—He
M mr 2 was
s6S A N A G G O U N T O F
ijH* was the next morning much furprized at not feeing land.—
ovember. °
Captain Wilson now clothed him in a fhirt, waiftcoat, and a pair of trowfers; he appeared to feel himfelf uncafy in wearing the two firft articles, and foon took them off and folded them up, ufing them only as a pillow; but, being impreffed with an idea of the indelicacy of having no clothing, he never appeared without his trowfers; and as the veffel, proceeding northward, advanced into a climate gradually growing colder, he felt lefs inconvenience in putting on again his jacket and fhirt; to which, when he had heen a little time accuftomed, his new-taught fenfe of propriety was fo great, that he would never change his drefs, or any part of it, in the prefence of another perfon, always retiring for that purpofe to fome dark corner where no one could fee him.—The motion of the velfel at firft made him very fea-fick, and obliged him frequently to lie down; this ficknefs abating, he had one of the apples given him which had been brought from Pelew; he expreffed a doubt about eating it; but, being told it was the Captain's defire, and that Abba Thulle had fent them for him, he obferved to Boy am, that he was much indulged, none but a few great people having his father's permiflion to eat of this fruit *.
This young man was remarkably clean in his perfon, wafhing himfelf feveral times a day; and as foon as he was
* This remark of Lee Boo's agrees with the King's telling Captain Wilson, when he gave him thofe apples, that they were a great rarity.
i perfectly
perfectly recovered from his fca-ficknefs he appeared to he 1783.
NOVEMBER.
eafy and contented. The latitude, on the fourteenth at noon, was 9* 38' north by obfervation.—The day following was Saturday 15, cloudy but good weather, with a fwcll from the N. E.—They faw a few fea-birds and nying-fTfh ; and, having an obfervation at noon, found they were in latitude io° 45' north ; the weather continued moderate, though cloudy, and their little veffel (excepting a fmall leak) was found in every refpeci equal to their hopes.—They had this forenoon prayers read upon Sunday 16. deck, all our people having, in this happy deliverance, too ftrong a recollection of the mercies of Providence not to offer them publicly, with hearts full of gratitude. The latitude at noon was 110 1' north,—Lee Boo was now fo well recovered as to eat a flying-fifh that was caught upon deck, and fome yam, having till this time eat very little. —He this afternoon told Boy am, that he was Jenfible his father and family had been very unhappy from knowing that he had been fick.
The weather continuing fair, with the wind from the N. E. and eaft, they endeavoured this morning to Monday 17, make more room, by re-ftowing their provifion and flores; in doing which they difcovered that the leak was under the end of one of the floor-timbers : it was propofed to cut it away, in order to come at and flop it from within, but on more mature confideration this was thought to be too
dangerous
270 ANAGCOUNTOF
>7?3* dangerous an attempt, as it irnVht occafion the ftartine
NOVEMBER. ~ f «•
of a plank, which would expofe the veffel to the almoft: certainty of finking; the idea was therefore immediately given up, as the water made was eafily cleared by two men at the pump.—The latitude at noon, by obfervation,
r'\ was 130 19 north.—In the night they had ftrong fqualls, va-
riable to the northward, with rain, and at times had very hot puffs of wind, as if from land ; they kept under an eafy
FromTucf.") fail and a good look-out until day-light, but faw no appear-
day i8» to >
Friday 21. J ance of land ; the weather being very unfettled, with fqualls and rain, and the wind varying at times to the eaftward, fouthward, and S. W. with lightning and dark clouds.—On the twenty-firft they found, by obfervation, their latitude to
SaturJay22. be 170 47' north, and the next day were in i8° 29' north: the weather continuing very unfettled, with frequent fqualls, , wind remaining in the E. and S.E. quarters until the
Sunday 23. twenty-third, when it veered round to the N. E. with rain,
Monday 24. till the next morning, the weather becoming then moderate and fair; the latitude at noon was 200 43' north, by observation; in the night they had fome light fqualls, and
Tuefday 25. kept a good look-out for the land.—In the morning, about three o'clock, having great ripplings in the water, they hauled up to the northward till day-light, when they faw the Bashee iflands bearing W. N. W. diftant about three leagues. This circumftance much pleafed Lee Boo. He was eager to learn their names, which being told him repeatedly,
until
THE PELEW ISLANDS. %j% until he could pronounce them; he took a piece of line, 1783*
NOVEMBl
which he had brought with him for the purpofe of making remarks, and tied a knot thereon, as a remembrance of the circumftance,—At feven o'clock the wind changing to the northward, they bore away through a pafTage between the iflands, and at noon were in the China fea, their latitude 210 5' north, by obfervation; they had now fair weather with fmooth water, and by four o'clock in the afternoon had loft fight of the Bashee iflands.
The next morning about nine o'clock they faw land upon Wednefday their quarter, bearing from N.E. I N. to E. N. E. being part of the ifland of Formosa ; at noon their latitude was 210 49' north. The fair weather continued next day, but with Thwfday a fwell from the northward, which wet them a little ; their latitude at noon being 22017' north. The wind increafing in the afternoon to a frelh gale, they now felt a material change to cold, of which they were the more fenfible from the hot weather they had before experienced. The next morning Friday 29t they faw feveral Chinefe filhing-boats, and a fmall China junk *. At eight o'clock they faw land, being a fmall hill, bearing N. by W. ; at noon they were in latitude 22* 20' north. The wind blowing brifkly, at one o'clock in the morn- Saturday ing they got foundings at twenty-five fathom, foft ground ;
* Junh is the name given by Europtans to the Cbineft-bu'ih veflels employed in their home or coafting trade j fome of them are very large, and trade to Batavia and Malacca,
9 they
1783. they kept founding during the night, and at fevcn o'clock
NOVEMBER.
in the morning they faw the land, hearing from N. by E. to W. S. W. : they flood in amongfl the iflands, as the wind would permit, and at noon were in latitude 220 8' north, the high land called the Asses Ears then bearing S. S. W. They fleered to the weftward amongfl the iflands until fix o'clock in the evening, when they anchored in ten fathom water, a foft clay bottom, amongfl fome fmall Chinefe veffels. —I.ee Boo appeared quite delighted at the fight of land, and the number of boats on the water.
Sunday 30. The next morning Captain Wilson procured a pilot to conduct their veffel between the iflands to Macoa; and when they came in fight of it, an EngliJJj jack was hoi fled at the mail-head, which being feen by the officers of the Portuguefe fhips at anchor in the Typa, they immediately fent their boats to meet our people, bringing with them fruit and provifions, as alfo men to aflifl them, judging,
from the fize of their little veffel, that they muft be part of fome EngliJJj Ihip's crew that had been wrecked; and one of the officers was fo obliging as to wait with his boat to take the Captain on fhore to the Governor; who, being at that time engaged on particular bufinefs, defired to be excufed from feeing the Captain, but acquainted him, by the officer on duty, that they were welcome to the port of Macoa. This gentleman informed Captain Wilson, that the Honourable Company's fupracargoes were all up at
Canton,
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 273 Canton, and that there was no Englifh gentleman then at J783-
° NOVEMBER.
Macoa, but Mr. M'Intyre, to whom Captain Wilson immediately went on taking leave of this officer, having, when before at Macoa, in the Antelope, received many teftimonies of this gentleman's friendfhip ; who, when he heard of Captain Wilson's misfortunes, with his wonted humanity and attention ordered provifions to be fent on board the velfel to the officers and people, and fuch other neceffa-ries as they might ftand in need of; whilft the Captain wrote to the Company's fupra-cargoes, to acquaint them with the fate of the Antelope, as alfo of his arrival and fituation; which letters Mr. M'Intyre immediately forwarded to Canton.—They now learnt that Peace was eftablifhed in Europe, and that there were a number of Englifh and other (hips at Whampoa ; that fome of the Company's fhips were loaded and ready to fail, which was moft welcome intelligence.—Before Captain Wilson went on fhore, Lee Boo, on feeing the large Portuguese fhips at anchor in the Typa, appeared to be greatly aftonifhed, exclaiming, as he looked at them, Clow, clow, muc clow I that is, Large, large, very large I He gave our people an early opportunity of feeing the natural benevolence of his mind ; for fome of the Chinefe boats, that are rowed by poor Tartar women, with their little children tied to their backs (and who live in families on the water) furrounded the veffel, to petition for frag-
N n ments
ments of victuals—the young Prince, on noticing their fup-plications, gave them oranges, and fuch other things as he had, being particularly attentive to offer them thofe things which he liked beft himfelf.
The next morning Mr. M'Intyre, with a Portuguese gentleman of Macoa, accompanied the Captain on board the Oroolong, taking with them all kinds of refreshments and provifions ready dreffed. In the evening they took Lee Boo and all the officers on fhore, except the Chief Mate, who remained with the people to take care of the veffel, till they fhould receive orders from the Company's fupra-cargoes.
The Portuguefe gentleman, who paid Captain Wilson this vifit, expreffed much pleafure in feeing the Pelew Prince, and on going on fhore, requefled that the New Man (as he called Lee Boo) might be permitted to vifit his family.—This being the firft houfe our young traveller had
ever feen, he was apparently loft in filent admiration ; what ftrnck moft his imagination at firft, was, the upright walls and the flat ceilings of the rooms; he feemed as if puzzling himfelf to comprehend how they could be formed; and the decorations of the rooms were alfo no fmall fubject, of aftonifhment. When he was introduced to the ladies of the family, his deportment was fo eafy and polite, that it was exceeded only by his abundant good-nature; fo far from
being
being embarraffed, he permitted the company to examine I783-his hands, which were tatooed, and appeared pleafed with the attention fhewn him- When he retired with Captain Wilson, his behaviour left on the mind of every one prefent the impreflion, that however great the furprize might be, which the fcenes of a new world had awakened in him, it could hardly be exceeded by that which his own amiable manners and native polifh would excite in others.
Macoa being the firft land our people had fet foot on fince they left the Pelew iflands, they congratulated one another very cordially, Lee Boo feeming to join in the congratulation as warmly as any one. Mr. M' In tyre conducted them to his own houfe, where they were introduced into a large hall lighted up, with a table in the middle covered for fupper, and a fideboard handfomely decorated.—Here a new fcene burft at once on Lee Boo's mind, he was all eye, all admiration. The veffels of glafs appeared to be the objects which riveted moft his attention.—Mr. M'Intyre fhe wed him whatever he conceived would amufe him; but every thing that fur-rounded him was attracting—his eye was. like his mind, loft and bewildered.—It was in truth to him a fcene of magic, a fairy tale. — Amongfl the things that folicited his notice, was a large mirror at the upper end of the hall, which reflected almoft his whole perfon. Here Lee Boo flood in perfect amazement, at feeing himfelf; -—he laughed
N n 2 —he
— he drew back, and returned to look again, quite ab-forbed in wonder.—He made an effort to look behind, as if conceiving fomebody was there, but found the glafs fixed clofe to the wall. Mr. M'Intyre, obferving the idea that had croffed him, ordered a fmall glafs to be brought into the room, wherein having viewed his face, he looked behind, to difcover the perfon who looked at him ; totally unable to make out how all this was produced.
Nor did Lee Boo's furprize at feeing himfelf in the mirror, much exceed that of each of our own people, though the caufe was different, not one of them having ever got a glimpfe of their own face from the time of the wreck, each having only noticed the hollow-eyed and lank look of his companions; but when they now flood before the mirror, every one individually perceived that hard labour, hard living, fpare diet, and anxiety of mind, had wrought a change in every countenance far greater than they could have imagined.
After palling an evening, which had been rendered pleafant and chearful from the hofpitality of their hofl, and the limplicity of Lee Boo, our people retired for the night: whether Lee Boo paffed it in fleep, or in reflecting on the occurrences of the day, is uncertain; but it is more than probable they were in the morning recollected by him in the confufed manner in which we recall the traces of a dream.
The
The next day he had more leifure to examine the houfe 1783-
J DECEMBER.
in which they had ilept; the upright walls and flat cklings Tuefday 2. ftill continued to be the objects of his furprize ; he was perpetually feeling the firft, as if he thought he could thereby gain an idea of their conftruction; but the latter feeming felf-fupported, was beyond what his mind could at that time comprehend.
As our people were too numerous to remain with Mr. M'Intyre, without trefpaffing on him, Captain Wilson requefted his affifiance to form an eflablilhment of their own ; in which he complied, by accommodating them with a houfe belonging to an Englifh gentleman then at Canton ; and, having provided them with fervants and neceifaries for their table, they fent for the crew of the Oroolong on Ihore, leaving one officer and a few men on board, who were alternately relieved.
Soon after our people came on Ihore, fome of therh went to purchafe things they were in want of, in doing which they did not forget Lee Boo, who was a favourite with them all; they bought him fome little trinkets, fuch as they thought would from their novelty pleafe him.— Amongfl them, was a firing of large glafs beads, the firft fight of which almoft threw him into an ecflafy; he hugged them with a tranfport that could not be exceeded by the in-terefted poffelfor of a firing of pearls of equal magnitude.— His imagination told him he had in his hands all the wealth
the
the world could afford him.—He ran with eagernefs to Captain Wilson, to mew him his riches, and, enraptured with the idea that his family fhould fhare them with him, he, in the utmoft agitation, intreated Captain Wilson would immediately get him a Chinefe veffel, to carry his treafures to Pelew, and deliver them to the King, that he might dif-tribute them as he thought beft, and thereby fee what a country the "Englifh had conveyed him to ; adding, that the people who carried them fhould tell the King, that lee Boo would foon fend him other prefents. He alfo told Captain Wilson, that if the people faithfully executed their charge, he would (independant of what Abba Thulle would give them) prefent them at their return with one or two beads, as a reward for their fidelity.— Happy ftate of fimplicity and innocence, whofe pleafures can be purchafed on fuch eafy terms, and whofe felicity -arifes from an ignorance of thofe objedls which difquiet the human race, and agitate their paffions! But one grieves to think this fentiment cannot be indulged, without reflecting how foon a knowledge of the world deftroys the illufion of this enviable enchantment!
In a few days Captain Wilson received letters from the fupra-cargoes, exprefling their concern for his misfortunes, and the fatisfaition they received in his fafe return, with his Ihip's company, after fo many perils; accompanying the letters with a variety of neceffaries, and warm clothes, and
advifing
THE PELEW ISLANDS, 279 advifin2; the difpofal of the veffel and flores, as the Chinefe i783-
DECEMBER*
government; would not admit of her coming up to Wham-bqa, without paying duty and. port charges to a confiderable amount.
Mr. M'Intyre alfo received letters, defiring him to fur-nifh them with money, and every thing elfe they might be in want of.—They alfo received congratulatory letters from their particular friends, on their arrival at Macoa, after the hardfhips they had fuftained; and thefe were accompanied by other letters from the commanders of feveral of the Company's ihips, kindly offering to accommodate them with a paffage to England.—And it would be an injuftice to the gratitude and feelings of Captain Wilson and his officers, fhould the recorder of thefe events omit to mention the kind treatment they experienced from the Company's fuprclear goes \ from feveral Portuguefe gentlemen, inhabitants of Macoa ; and alfo from the Commodore of their fhips, who being almoft ready to fail for Europe, offered Captain Wilson, with many kind expreffions, a paffage in his fhip, for himfelf, and fuch other perfons as he might wifh to take with him.
Whilft Lee Boo remained at Macoa, he had frequent opportunities of feeing people of different nations; and alfo was fhewn three Englifh women, who having loft their huf-l?ands in India, bad been fent from Madras thither, and a were
*783' were Waiting there to return to Europe, to whom the new
december. a
man, as he was called, gave the preference to any other of the fair fex he had feen.—This early decilion made in favour of our country-women, and made by one who could feel no prejudices, but judged by his eye—had this amiable youth lived to have been much known in England, muff have infured him the countenance and favour of all the ladies.
Having no quadrupeds at Pelew, the two dogs left there were the only kind he had feen ; therefore the fheep, goats, and other cattle which he met with whilft at Macoa, were viewed with wonder. The Newfoundland dog, which had been given to his uncle Arra Kooker, being called Sailor, he applied the word Sailor to every animal that had four legs.—Seeing fome horfes in a liable, he called them Clow Sailor, that is, Great Sailor ; but the next day feeing a man pafs the houfe on horfeback, he was himfelf fo wonderfully aftonifhed, that he wanted every one to go and fee the ftrange light. He went afterwards to the ftables where the horfes were; he felt, he ftroaked them, and was in-quifitive to know what their food was, having found, by offering them fome oranges he had in his pocket, that they would not eat them. He was eafily perfuaded to get on one of their backs; and when he was informed what a noble, docile, and ufeful animal it was, he with much
earneftnefs
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 281 earneftnefs befought the Captain to get one fent to his uncle 1783-
DECEMBER.
Raa Kook, to whom he faid he was fure it would be of great fervice*
They were now waiting for a permit and boats to take them to Canton, when Captain Churchill, of the Wal-pole, having made his paffage to China againft the Mon-foon9 arriving at Macoa at this time, was fo obliging as to accommodate them with a palfage up to Whampoa ; only Mr. Benger, with five or fix of the men, remaining at Macoa with the Oroolong, till fhe ftiould be difpofed of.
During the time Lee Boo was in the Walpole, he had fufficient matter to keep all his faculties awake ; the furniture, tables, chairs, lamps, and the upright bulk-heads, with the deck over head, were all furprifing; after his eye had in filence run over thefe objects, he whifpered to Captain Wilson, that Clow Ship was Houfe. It is more than probable that nothing on board the Walpole ef-caped his notice, as it was evident nothing on fhore did. —At Canton, the number of houfes, the variety of fhops, and the multitude of artificers, induced him to fay, there was a Tackalby for every thing.—Being at the Company's table, at the factory, the veffels of glafs, of various fliapes and fizes, particularly the glafs chandeliers, attracted his notice. — When, on looking round, he furveyed the number of attendants ftanding behind the gentlemen's chairs, he obferved to Captain Wilson, that
O o the
1783. the King, his father, lived in a manner very different, hav-
DECEMBER. < . '
ing only a little hlh, a yam, or a cocoa-nut, which he eat from off a leaf, and drank out of the (hell of the nut; and when his meal was hnifhed, wiped his mouth and his fingers with a bit of cocoa-nut hulk ; whereas the company prefent eat a bit of one thing, and then a bit of another, the fervants always fupplying them with a different plate, and different forts of veffels to drink out of.—He feemed from the firft to relifh tea ; coffee he dilliked the fmell of, and therefore re-fufed it, at the fame time telling Captain Wilson he would drink it if he ordered him.—On their arrival at Macoa, one of the feamen being much intoxicated, Lee Boo expreffed great concern, thinking him very ill, and applied to Mr. Sharp, the furgeon,to go and fee him ; being told nothing material ailed him, that it was only the effect of a liquor, that common people were apt to indulge in, and that he would foon be well, he appeared fatisfied ; but would never after even taffe fpirits, if any were offered him, faying, it was not drink fit for gentlemen.—As to his eating and drinking, he was in both temperate to a degree.
After they had been about five or fix days at Canton, Mr. Benger, and the men who remained with him at Macoa, accompanied by Mr. M'Intyre, came up in one of the country-boats to Canton.—The window where Lee Boo was then at breakfaft looked towards the water; the moment he got a diftant view of them, without faying a word to the
8 Captain,
Captain, or other perfon, he fprang from his feat, and was at the edge of the river before the boat reached the fhore ; he received them with fuch joy and eagernefs, and ihook their hands with fuch exprefhons of affection, as won their warmefc regard ; he feemed impatient till he could get them into the houfe, fearing that by Haying behind they had not fared fo well as himfelf.
When our people went on board the Walpole, Mr. M'Intyre had kindly undertaken to manage the bufinefs of difpoling of the Oroolong ; fhe was accordingly put up to auction, and fold for feven hundred Spanijb dollars.—It having been judged that the two time-pieces would fetch more money at Canton, they were brought up there for fale, as were alfo the furgeon's inftruments, they being intended as a prefent to Mr. Sharp ; but the carpenter's mate objecting to relinquifh his fhare in them, in confequence of his tools having been difpofed of, Mr. Sharp declined the offer; they were therefore put up to laic at Canton, with the time-pieces, and bought by Captain Wilson, who prefented them to Mr. Sharp, as an acknowledgment for his attention to, and care of, the fhip's company, of whom not a fingle man had died, or been unable to do duty for any length of time, fince their leaving England.
Whilft at Canton, feveral gentlemen, who had been at Madagascar, and other places, where the throwing of the fpear is practifed, and who themfelves were in fome degree
O o % fkilled
'783- /killed in the art, having expreffed a wifh to fee Lee Boo per-
OECEMBER.
form this exercife; they affembled at the hall of the factory for that purpofe.—Lee Boo did not at firft point his fpear to any particular object, but only fhook and poifed it, as is ufu-ally done before the weapon is thrown from the hand; this they were alfo able to do : but propofing to aim at fome particular point, they fixed this point to be a gauze cage which hung up in the hall, and had a bird painted in the middle; LiEe Boo took up his fpear with great apparent indifference, and, levelling at the little bird, flruck it through the head, aftonifhing all his competitors, who, at the great diftance from whence they flung, with much difficulty even hit the cage.
He was greatly pleafed with the ftone buildings and fpa-cious rooms in the houfes at Canton; but the flat ceilings ftill continued to excite his wonder; he often compared them with the Hoping thatched roofs at Pelew, and faid, by the time he went back he fhould have learnt how it was done, and would then tell the people there in what manner they ought to build.—The benefitting his country by whatever he faw, feemed to be the point to which all his obfer-vations were directed.
Being at the houfe of Mr. Freeman, one of thefupra-ccirgoes, amongfl the things brought in for tea was a fugar-difli of blue glafs, which much flruck Lee Boo's fancy. The joy with which he viewed it, induced that gentleman,
after
THE PELEW ISLANDS. 285 after tea, to carry him into another room, where there 1783-
DECEMBER,
were two barrels of the fame kind of blue glafs (which held about two quarts each) placed on brackets: his eye was again caught by the fame alluring colour, he looked at them eagerly, then went away, and returned to them with new delight : the gentleman obferving the plea-fure they gave him, told him he would make him a prefent of them, and that he mould carry them to Pelew ; this threw him into fuch a tranfport of joy he could hardly contain himfelf; he declared them to be a great treafure, and that when he returned, his father, Abba Thulle, mould have them : he wifhed his relations at Pelew could but fee them, as he was fure they would be loft in aftonifhment.
As there were fome of the Company's fhips that were foon to fail for England, Captain Wilson declined two advantageous offers of the command of country fhips, thinking it his duty to embrace the earlieft opportunity of acquainting, in perfon, the India Company, with the fate of the Antelope, and the particular circumftanccs attending it.
It ftill remained for him to lay before the companions of his adverfe fortune, a ftatement of the different fales, and give to every man an equal fhare of what they had produced; which being fettled, Captain Wilson acquainted his officers and men, that they were now at liberty to provide for
themfelves
286 ANACCOUNTOF '783- themfelves as opportunity fhould offer, at the fame time re-
DECEMBER.
commending to them all, but particularly his officers, to return to England, where, he had no doubt, but that the Honourable Company would rccompenfe, in fome mca-fure, every individual for the hardfhips they had fuftained; declaring that he felt himfelf in the higheft degree obliged to them for the good order, the unanimity, and the excellent conduct they had fo cheerfully perfevered in, during the trying fcenes they had experienced together, and which had afforded them an opportunity of teftifying their zeal for the general fcrvice; which it fhould be his bufmefs to reprefent in fuch terms as their whole behaviour truly merited
Mr. Sharp, who, from the time of leaving the Pelew iflands, had taken Lee Boo under his immediate care, now religned his charge to Captain Wilson, and came home in the Lascells, Captain Wakefield ; the other officers and people engaged in different fhips, as vacancies offered, but moft of the men embarked in the York, Captain Blanchard; nor did. any of them feparate without fome emotions of concern in quitting thofe companions with whom they had fliared fo many difficulties.
Lee Boo embarked with Captain Wilson in the Morse, Captain Joseph Elliott, who, in the moft friendly manner, accommodated them to England. And, as we have now difpofed of, and difperfed all thofe who formerly com-
pofed
THE PELEW ISLAND S. 287 Dofed the complement of the Antelope, I mall, for the i783-
DECEMBER,
prefent, leave their reflected Commander purfuing, with our young Prince, his voyage to England.—Being inclined to hope that the character and conduct of thefe hitherto unknown people, whom I have introduced in the foregoing narrative, have interefled the reader, I fhall now give him fome account of the Government, Cuftoms, Manners, and Arts, of the Natives of Pelew, as far as I have been able to collect them, from the different reports of the Captain, and fuch of his officers who have favoured me with their communications.
C II A P T E li
CHAPTER XXIII.
General Idea of the Iflands.—Of the King.—Of the General. —0/ the Chief Minifler.—Of the Rupacks.—0/* the Nature of Property at Pelew.
rnHE Palos or Pelew iflands are a chain of fmall
iflands, fituated between the 5th and 9th degree of north latitude, and between 1300 and 136* degrees of eafl longitude from Greenwich, and lie in a N. E. and S. W. direction : they are long but narrow, of a moderate height, well covered with wood, at leaft fuch of the iflands as our people had an opportunity of feeing. They are circled on the well: fide by a reef of coral, of which no end could be feen from any eminences they were on; this reef in fome places extends five or fix leagues from the fliore, and in no parts that were vifited lefs than two or three.
The reader will bear in mind that the Antelope was not a fhip particularly fent out to explore undifcovered regions, or prepared to inveftigate the manners of mankind; it had not on board philofophers, botanifts, draughtfmen, or gentlemen experienced in fuch fcientific purfuits as
1
might
VIE W (>nh? PEL EW I SLAND S, as taken fiv M': l)E VJS from the Observatory ,>,, Oroolong.
S.tvW.
might enable them to examine with judgment objects which prefented themfelves, or trace nature through all her labyrinths.— Diftrefs threw them on thefe iflands, and when there, every thought was folely occupied on the means of getting away, and liberating themfelves from a fituation of all others the moft horrible to the imagination, that of being cut off for ever from the fociety of the reft of the world.
Forlorn and melancholy as their lot at firft appeared, the gloom it eaft over them was foon difpcllcd, by finding themfelves amongft an humane race of men, who were fuperior to the wifli of taking any advantage of their diftrefs ; who had hearts to feel for what our people fuffered ; benevolence to relieve their immediate wants; and generofity to co-operate with them in every effort to work out their deliverance.—The Englifh poffeffed what was in their eftimation of the higheft value—iron and arms. The Malay wreck had, for the firft time, thrown in their way a few pieces of the former; the ufe and power of the latter had only been difcovered to them by the ill fortune of our countrymen.— Thefe objects, fo defirable to them, they might unqucftion-ably have poffeffed themfelves of, the number of our people, capable of bearing arms, being only twenty-feven, the Captain and Surgeon included ; but their notions of moral rectitude lay ds a barrier againft the intrufion of fuch a thought;
P p —re-
—renouncing every advantage of power, they approached them only with the fmiles of "benevolence.
All the varied coUrtefies offered to the Englifh by the natives, from whom a very different line of conduct had been apprehended, operated forcibly on their minds; and their misfortune hapx>ening at a moment when their aflift-ance was very material for Abba Thulle's fervice againft his enemies, this circumftance foon formed a connection, and produced an unreferved intercourfe and fteady friend-fhip between the natives and our countrymen, which, during the thirteen weeks they remained there, afforded them opportunity of obferving the manners and difpofttions of the inhabitants, and thereby to form fome notion of their government and cuftoms.—If they were not enabled to trace the current of power through all its various channels, their obfervations could purfue it to the fountain-head, from whence the whole feemed to take its rife; and it appeared beyond a doubt that the chief authority was lodged in the perfon of
ABBA THULLE, THE KING.
. At Pelew the King was the firft perfon in the government. He appeared to be confidered as the father of his people; and, though divefted of all external decorations of
royalty,
royalty, had every mark of diftih&ion paid to his perfon. —His Rupacks or Chiefs approached him with the greater!: refpecl:; and his common fubjecrs, whenever they paffed near him, or had occafion to addrefs him, put their hands behind them, and crouched towards the ground ; -—even if they were paffing any houfe or place where the King was fuppofed to be, they humiliated themfelves in the fame manner, till they had got beyond his probable prefence, when they refumed their ufual mode of walking. On all occafions the behaviour of Abba Thulle appeared gentle and gracious, yet always full of dignity; he heard whatever his fubje<5ts had to fay to him, and, by his affability and condefcenfion, never fuffered them to go away dilfatisfied.—This perfonage, however great he was held at Pelew, was not underftood by our people to polfefs a ibve-reignty over all the iilands which came within their knowledge,—The Rupacks of Emungs, Emillegue, and Artingall, and the Rupack Maath, were independent in their own territories.—Yet Abba Thulle had feveral iilands over which he ruled; and all the obfervations that follow are folely confined to his government, though it is not improbable that the other iilands might have much fimilitudc in their fyftern.
Upon all occurrences of moment, he convened the Rupacks and officers of ftate; their councils were always held in the open air, upon the fquare pavements which have
P p 2 fo
fo frequently been mentioned in the foregoing narrative, where the King firft ftated the bufinefs upon which he had affembled them, and fubmitted it to their confideration ; each Rupack prefent delivered his opinion, but without riling from his feat: when the matter before them was fettled, the King, ftanding up, put an end to the council.— After which they often entered into familiar converfation, and fometimes chatted together for an hour after their bufinefs was difpatched.
When any meffage was brought to the King, whether in council or elfewhere, if it came by one of the common people, it was delivered at fome diftance, in a low voice, to one of the inferior Rupacks; who, bending in an humble manner, at the King's lide, delivered the meffage in a low tone of voice, with his face turned alide.—His commands appeared to be abfolute; though he acted in no important bufinefs without the advice of his Chiefs. In council there was a particular ftone on which the King fat; the other Rupacks did not always take the fame place, feating themfelves fometimes on his right-hand and fometimes on his left.
Every day in the afternoon the King, whether he was at Pelew, or with the EngliJJj at Oroolong, went to fit in public, for the purpofe of hearing any requefts, or of ad-jlifting any difference or difpute which might have arifen among his fubjec~ts.
As
As thefe people had but little property to create diffen-fion, and no lawyers to foment animofity, it is probable that the immutable boundaries of right and wrong were perfectly underftood, and not often violated; whenever they were, the offending party received the King's cenfure, which expofed them to general fhame ; a fentence, to uncorrupted minds, far more fevere than any penal inftitution.—They could not recur to the dubious conftruction of five hundred laws, vaguely conceived, and worfe underftood ; under the obfcurity of which, in civilized countries, the artful villain too often takes fhelter, and the injured (It down more op-preffed.—Happy for them, they were ignorant of that cafuif-try and refinement which can argue vice into virtue ! nor were acquainted with the laudanum of rhetoric, whofe property will occafionally benumb and lay dormant the power of common underftandings 1—They had no conception that there exifted polifhed nations, where it was infinitely more expenfive to fue for juftice than to fubmit to fraud and op-preflion !—nations where men's oaths only, not men's words, were credited ! and where there were found wretches whoi dared attack the properties and lives of their fellow-citizens,, by alfertions of Jdlfijood, whilft they folemnly and impiouily invoked the God of Heaven to atteft their truth!—Born the children of Nature, and fecludcd from the corruption of the world, her laws were their general guide.—Their real wants were few, and they faw nothing to excite artificial ones.— 4 Ever'
Every one feemed to be occupied with their own humble purfuits; and, as far as our people, in a Hay of three months with the natives, could decide, appeared to conduct themfelves toward each other with great civility and benevolence ; for they never obferved any wrangling or open paffion.—Even when children were difputing or fighting, they ftrongly marked their difpleafure, by ftining with rebuke their little impetuofities.
THE GENERAL.
The next in power was the King's brother, Raa Kook, officially General of all his forces.—It was his duty to fum-mon theE-upacks to attend the King, on whatever expedition or purpofe they were called ; but though Raa Kook acted as Commander in Chief, yet all the executive orders came from the King, whenever he attended in perfon, as fully appeared when they went on the fecond expedition to Artingall, where the canoes attendant on the King conveyed to the General all the refolutions which he thought advifeable to adopt.—The General, as the King's next brother, was his preemptive heir; the fucceflion of Pelew not going to the King's children, till it had paffed through the King's brothers ; fo that after the demife of Abba Thulle, the fove-reignty would have defcended to Raa Kook, on his demife t*o Arra Kooker, and, on the death of this laft brother,
t it
it would have reverted to the eldeft fon of Abba Thulle ; on which contingency, Qui Bill being the prefumptive heir, would, during the reign of his laft furviving uncle, have become of courfe the hereditary General; as Lee Boo would when the fovereignty had fallen to his elder brother. -
THE MINISTER.
The King was always attended by a particular Chief, or Rupack, who did not appear to poffefs any hereditary office, but only a delegated authority.—He was always near the King's perfon, and the Chief who was firft confulted : but whether his office was religious or civil, or both, our people could not learn with any certainty.—He was not confidered as a warrior, nor ever bore arms; and had only one wife, whereas the other Rupacks had two.—The EngliJJj were never invited to his houfe, or introduced into it, although they were conducted to almoft all thofe of the other Chiefs.
THE RUPACKS.
This clafs, though confiderable in number, could only be regarded as Chiefs, or, to defcribe them by European notions, might be denominated the nobles : they were not all of the fame degree, as was diftinguifhable by a difference in the Bone they wore; fome were created whilft
our
our people were there, after the fecond engagement at Artingall.—Thefe marks of honour were conferred folely by the King, in the manner already defcribed, when Captain Wilson was inverted with the higheft Order of the Bone *.—The principal Rupacks generally attended the King, and were always ready at his command, to accompany him on any expedition, with a number of canoes, properly manned, and armed with darts and fpears, who were to remain with him till they had his permiflion to return home with their dependants.—Though in this part of their government we trace an outline of the feudal fyf-tem, yet, from the very few opportunities our people could have of inveftigating points of internal government, it appeared to them that the titles of Rupacks were perfo-nal badges of rank and diftinciion, nor did they apprehend they were hereditary honours, unlefs in the reigning family, who muft of neceflity be of this clafs ; therefore, as to the extent of the power or privileges of the Rupacks, I conceive it far better to leave thefe matters to future difcoveries (fhould any hereafter be made) than to obtrude opinions on a fubje£t that might turn out to be fallacious.—Thus much feemed certain, that all thofe of the firft order were fummoned to Abba Thulle's councils,
* The form of the Bone of the bightji Order is figured in plate IV. fig. 3. Our people never knew what animal this was a bone of; but, by fubmitting the infpedlion of it to the beft authority in this country, it is fuppofed to be part of the bone of a whale, or fome animal of that fpecies,
paid
paid him on every occafion a vifible obedience, and were themfelves much reflected by the reft of the people.
PROPERTY.
Confidering that during the time our people remained on thefe iilands, their minds were principally engaged by their own concerns, it will hardly be fuppofed they had much lei-fure to inveftigate a fubject. of this nature.—As far as they could obtain intelligence on this point, they underftood that the natives only poffeffed a property in their work and labour, but no abfolute one in the foil, of which the King appeared to be general proprietor.—A man's houfe, furniture, or canoe, was confidered as his private property; as was alfo the land allotted him, as long as he occupied and cultivated it; but whenever he removed with his family to another place, the ground he held reverted to the King, who gave it to whom he pleafed, or to thofe who folicited to cultivate it. Every family occupied fome land for their maintenance, neceflity impofed this labour on them; and the portion of time which they could fpare from providing for their natural wants, paffed in the exercife of fuch little arts, as, while they kept them induftrious and active, adminiftered to their convenience and comfort.
GHAPTER
CHAPTER XXIV.
0/ the Produce of P i l 1 w, # of the JVav of Life of the
Natives*.
PRODUCE.
VER Y part of the ifland called Coorooraa, of which Pelew was the Capital (as far as our people had opportunities of making ohfervations) feemed to bear the marks of induftry and good cultivation.—All the iflands which our people faw were well covered with trees of various kinds and fize, fome of them being very large, as may ealily be conceived by their canoes made out of trunks, which, when of the large ft dimenfions, were capable of carrying twenty-eight or thirty men.—They had a great variety of timber-trees, among which was noticed the Ebony, and a tree, that, being pierced or wounded by a gimblet, there ran from it a thick white liquid, of the confiftence of cream.—They had alfo a fpecies of the Manchineel tree, in cutting down of which our people ufed to get bliftered and fwelled; the inhabitants pointed out the caufe, faying, that
it
it was owing to their being fprinkled by the fap of this tree.—This they reckoned among the unlucky trees, and advifed our people againft the ufe of it.—But the moft lingular tree noticed at Pelew, was one, in lize and in its manner of branching, not unlike our Cherry-Wee, but in its leaves refembling the Myrtle. Its peculiarity was, that it had no bark, having only an outward coat of about the thicknefs of a card, darker than the infide, though equally clofe in texture; the colour of the interior part being nearly that of mahogany, and fo extremely hard, that few of the tools which the Engli/lj had could work it, the wood breaking their edges almoft every moment ; a circumftance which, very early in the conftru£tion of their veffel, determined our people againft the ufe of it.—They had alfo the Cabbage-tree ; and a tree whofe fruit nearly refembled an almond *; the Carambola; and the wild Bread-fruit, called by the natives RiamalL — Yams t and cocoa-nuts being the chief article of fuftenance, were attended to with the utmoft care; the former were of the grey mottled kind ; the latter were in large plantations, affording both food and ftiade.—The beetle-nut they had in abundance, and made great ufe of it, though only when green ; contrary to the practice of the people of India, who never ufe it but when dry. — They poffeffed Plantains and Bananas, Seville
• T-trminalia catappa of LiNN^U3. f Arum e/cu/sKium.of Linxjevs.
0 q 2 oranges
oranges and lemons ; neither of thefe were in any confider-able quantity; therefore only produced on vifits, or occa-fions of more than common ceremony.—To thefe may be added, the jamboo-apple, mentioned in page 257, as brought when Lee Boo firft appeared.—This country produced fome fugar-cane, and great abundance of the bamboo; like-wife the Turmeric, which the natives ufed as a dye, and with which the women ftained their fkins. —They have ochre, both red and yellow, with which they paint their houfes and canoes.
None of the iilands the Englifh vifited had any kind of grain; nor any quadruped whatever, except fome browniOi grey rats, which ran wild in the woods, and three or four meagre cats, which were feen in fome houfes at Pelew, probably brought on fome drift or part of a canoe of other iilands, wrecked on the reef.—This might excite them to admire fo much the two dogs our people left with them, which unluckily were both males.
As to birds, they had plenty of common cocks and hens, which, though they were not domefticated, but ran about the woods, yet loved to get near their houfes and plantations ; and, what will appear lingular (confidering their little variety of food) they had never made any ufe of them, till our people faw them, and told the natives they were excellent to eat.—The Englifh, at the defire of Abba Thulle, killed fome, and boiled them; the King was
10 the
the firft who tafted them ; he thought them good, and frequently partook of them afterwards, fo that our people put them in pofleflion of a new dilh; the men appeared pleafed at feeing them killed, and would go out on pur-pofe to drive them in their way.—Though the natives had not till now made thefe birds an article of food, yet, when they went into the woods, they frequently eat their eggs; but they did not admire them for being newly laid; the luxury to them was, when they could fwallow an imperfect chicken in the bargain.—Pigeons they had alfo in the woods.—At the time of breeding, they took the young from the neft, and brought them up near their houfes, keeping them on a perch tied by one leg, and feeding them on yams ; this bird was accounted a great dainty, as we have had occafion to fee, by its being fo fparingly ufed, and none, but thofe of a certain dignity, permitted to eat thereof.—The people of Pelew were wonderfully active and expert in climbing up trees in queft of thefe nefts, or any thing elfe that was an object of their purfuit.—Thefe which I have mentioned, were the only birds they ufed to eat.—Our people left them two geefe, the only remains of their live ftock.
Several birds were feen flying about, whofe plumage appeared to be extremely beautiful, but they probably might be of the fame kinds as are found in different countries between the tropics.—The iflands had alfo feveral fmall birds, whofe notes were very melodious, particularly one
which
which ufed to fing every morning and evening, and had a pipe fweet as a flagelet; our people often thought thcv were under the very tree whence the notes of this little bird came, yet none of them were ever certain they had feen it.
They had a variety of fiih, befide the fort I have already defcribed (page 123); and feveral fmaller kinds, of very beautiful colours and variety of fhapes, particularly one to which the Englifh gave the name of the Unicorn, from a horn growing out of its forehead; its fkin was rough, like a fmall fhark or dog-Ji/b, which it alfo refembled in fhape and colour. They had the grey mullet, which they crimped, and frequently eat raw. They kill the mark, when they chance to come within the coral reef; this they do by fpearing them, and afterwards getting ropes round them, then dragging them on ihore ; the flelh of the Ihark was efteemed by them as very delicate. They had alfo feveral kinds of fhell-nfh ; fuch as the fea cray-fifh, of the fame fort as in the Mediterranean and other European coafts :—and turtle, which the natives boiled, and feemed to admire. They had befide oyfters, mufcles, and a variety of cockles, particularly the Kima cockle*; this they frequently got by diving, at which the natives were amazingly expert; they would fometimes dive down in fix or feven fathom water, and if the fhell was very large, two
* Chama Ghas of Linnaeus.
Of
of them would contrive to bring it up between them. This fifh they commonly eat raw.
The iilands of Pelew, when viewed from the fea, exhibited high rugged land, well covered with wood. The interior part was in many places mountainous, but the vallies were extenlive and beautiful, fpreading before the eye many delicious profpects. The foil was in general rich; they had a great deal of grafs, which, having no cattle whatever to eat down, grew high, and was fcorched and burnt up by the heat of the fun. Our people faw no river at Pelew ; their fupplies of frefh water being from fmall flreams and ponds, of which there were many. The chief fource at Oroolong, was the well at the back of the ifland, which afforded the Englijb fufhcient for their ufe whilft they remained there, and enough to water their veffel for their voyage, by collecting it daily in cafks till they had obtained as much as they flood in need of.
OF THEIR WAY OF LIVING.
From the above account of the fcanty produce of thefe iflands, it muft be evident that no luxury reigned in them. To their ufual mode of living, on particular occalions they added fome fweetmeats, which they obtained by the aid of a fyrup extracted either from the palm-tree, or the fu-gar-cane .(which grows fpontaneous) and with which alfo
i u they
they made their fweet-drink. Their fweetmeats were of three forts;—the firft, and the one that was moft plentiful, was made of the kernels of old cocoa-nuts, fcraped into a coarfe kind of flour, then mixed with the fyrup, and limmered over a flow fire till it became of a proper con-iiftence, and whilft warm was put up in leaves; it acquired fuch hardnefs by keeping, that a knife would hardly cut it; the natives called it PFoolell, and was the fame our fai-lors denominated Choak Dog.—The fecond fort was made of the fruit already mentioned as refembling the almond, not bruifed, but whole, boiled in the fame manner, and put in leaves.—The third was a wet fweetmeat, clear and tranfparent; this was uncommon, but was made at Captain Wilson's coming away, and prefented to him in the fame large tureen of wood which was brought out on his firft vifit to the King. Abba Thulle, when he prefented it, faid, that he gave him the tureen *, but that his wives had prepared the fweetmeat on purpofe for him. On the Captain's noticing that it appeared different from any of the forts he had feen before, and wilhing to know of what it was made, Raa Kook difpatched a man, who in an hour returned with two frefh-gathered plants; from the root of them this fweetmeat was made, which in ftiape, fize, and colour, refembled a common turnip; its leaves
* Our people could never learn the name by which the natives called this ve/Tel, of which ant only was feen, and therefore have termed it a tureen, as refembling it ia form.
were
were three feet or upwards in length, hut narrow and green *; Captain Wilson was going to tafte a bit of the root raw, but they would not fufter him, fignifying that it was not good, by fpitting, as if they had fomething un-pleafant in their mouth. This fweetmeat did not keep fo well as the other two forts, growing foon four.—They had alfo a method of fcraping the kernel of the cocoa-nut into a pulp, which when mixed with fome of their fweet drink, and the juice of the four orange, had the appearance of curds and whey.
Their mode of preferving fiih, when there was a plenty, fo that it would keep a day or two, has been fully explained in page 190. Some of the other forts of filh they boiled in falt-water, and eat without any kind of fauce ; they alfo boiled the fea cray-fhh; but the fmaller fort of ihell-hlh, and the Kima Cockle, they ufually eat raw, fqueezing only a little orange or lemon-juice over it; and the grey mullet (though they fometimes boiled it) yet was more commonly eaten raw : as foon as caught, they cleaned and crimped it, then laid it about an hour in the fun to harden, by which time it was fully dreft to their tafte.
They had no fait, nor did they make ufe of fauce or fea-foning in any thing they eat. Their drink was as fimple as their diet: at their meals, the milk of the cocoa-nut was their
* It was probably the Taccapinnattfida of Linnaeus.
ufual
ufual beverage; they very feldom drank water, and indeed fo very little of any thing, that it Was a matter of furprize to our people, who conftantly obferved it; yet on vifits, or oc-cafional rejoicings, they appeared to relifli their fweet drink, and fherbet, which latter had only the addition of fome juice of orange.
They rofe in general at day-light, and as foon as they were up, both men and women went to bathe in frelli water : they had fcparate bathing-places ; and every man, whofe bufinefs led him near thofe appropriated to the women, was obliged to make fome particular halloo, wfhich, if anfwered by a female voice, he could not go on, but either turned another way, or waited till the women who were bathing had left the water.
About eight o'clock was their hour of breakfafting; after which, if there was any council to be held, the King met his Chiefs, and the common people went to their different occupations ; at noon they dined; and fupped foon after fun-fet, ufually retiring to reft two hours after. Though this was their common way of living, yet on occafions of public rejoicing or fcftivity, they would dance the greateft part of the night.
They had no method, that was obferved, of meafuring time but by the height of the fun.—Their feafons were divided into the wet and dry, as in other tropical countries. They
7 had
had fome knowledge of the ftars, having names for feveral of them, which they pointed out to our people.
Every part of the Pelew iilands, that the 'Englifh vilited, appeared populous, though to what extent of population they could never afcertain; but probable conjecture might be formed, from Abba Thulle and his allies having fent out, in the laft expedition againft Pelelew, near four thoufand men; nor had our people reafon to fuppofe but that there were many more left behind equally fit for fervice: even had the occafion required it, perhaps their number of canoes might not have been adequate to carry to battle near: their full ftrength.
R r 2
C H A.PTE R
CHAPTER XXV.
Of their Houfes.—Their domeftic Implements.—Their Weapons
of War.—Their Canoes.
THEIR HOUSES. HE III houfes were raifed about three feet from the
"** ground, placed on large ftones, which appeared as if cut from the quarry, being thick and oblong; on thefe pe-deitals the foundation beams were laid, from whence fprang the upright fupports of their fides, which were croffed by other timbers grooved together, and fattened by wooden pins; the intermediate fpaces clofely filled up with bamboos and palm-leaves, which they platted fo clofely and artificially as to keep their habitations warm and exclude all wet; and their being raifed from the ground preferved them from any humidity. The floors were in general made of very thick plank, a fpace of an inch or two being left between many of them. But in fome of the houfes they were com-pofed of large bamboos fplit, which being perpetually trodden over, rendered them very flippery.—The interior part of
the
the houfe was without any divifion, the whole forming one great room.—In general, the fire-place flood about the middle of it, funk lower than the floor, with no timber below it, the whole fpace beneath being filled up with hard rubbifh. Their fires were in common but fmall, being moftly ufed to boil their yams, and to keep up a little flame at night to clear away the dews, and fmoke the mofquitoes.—Their windows came to the level of the floor, and ferved both for doors and windows, having ftepping-ftones at all of them to enter by; to prevent any inconvenience from wind or rain, which fo many apertures might occafion, each of them had a bamboo frame or fhutter, interwoven as the fides of the houfes were, which Hiding on bamboo rods, were ealily ilipt on one fide when any body wanted to go in or out.—On the top of the upright fides beams were laid acrofs, from whence fprang the roof, which was pointed like our barns, the whole infide being clear; this made their houfes within very lofty and airy ; the outiide of the roof was thatched very thick and clofe with bamboos or palm-leaves.—This was the general form of their houfes; fome of which were from fixty to eighty feet in length, but thefe were appropriated to public ufes, fuch as meetings of bufinefs, or feftivity; at other times they ferved the natives to affemble and chat together, when the women ufually brought their work, and joined in the converfation. Thofe which were more properly domeftic t habitations,
3io ANACCOUNTOF
habitations, were the fame both in fhape and texture, though lefs in dimcnfion.—It was remarked, that the family kept on oue fide of the central fire-place, and the fervants on the other.
OF THEIR DOMESTIC IMPLEMENTS.
IN a country where no aid could be obtained from the afliftance of iron tools, and where every thing which was convenient and ufeful could only be produced by much time, labour, and patience, and at laft faihioned by fuch poor means as neceflity, ftimulating invention, by flow degrees brought about, it will not be expected that their domeftic implements would be numerous.
Among the things moft eflential to their idea of com-Setplate VII. fort, were little bafkets, which they always carried about ". * : 2' with them ; they had different forts, fome of them were of very nice texture, woven from flips of the plantain leaf. In thefe they ufually carried their beetle-nut, their comb, and their knife ; nor did they omit having a little twine in it, to tie up any thing they might want to keep together. They had alfo wooden bafkets with covers, very nicely carved,
See plate f. '
and inlaid with fliells. Thefe they hung up in their houfes, for ufe and decoration.
Their
Their beft knives were formed of a piece of the large See plate nr.
fig-
mother of pearl oyfter-fhell, ground narrow, and the outward fide a little polilhed.—The fort more common was made of a piece of fome mufcle-fhell, or of a fplit bamboo, which they fharpen to an edge, and render exceedingly fec-viceable.
Their combs were formed of the orange-tree; the handle See plate 111.
fig. 4.
and teeth fafhioned from the folid wood, and not in fepa-rate pieces clofely connected together, like thofe brought from moft of the late-difcovered iilands.
No man ftirred abroad without his bafket of beetle-nut.— The common order of people had a fhort piece of bamboo, in which they carried the powdered chinam, to ftrew over the beetle-nut before they put it in their mouths. The Rupacks or great people had their chinam in a long flender bamboo, nicely polifhed, and inlaid with pieces of ihells at each end ; and thefe were often not inelegantly fancied.
Their nfliing-hooks were of tortoife-fhell. Their twines, See plate Jl
fig' 4.
their cords, and all their filhing-ncts, were well manufactured, and made from the hulks of the cocoa-nut. The mats on which they ftept, and threw over them when at reft, were formed of the plantain-leaf.
At their meals they generally ufed a plantain-leaf inftcad of a plate; the flicll of the cocoa-nut ferving as a cup to drink out of, which they fometimes polilhed very nicely.
They
They made alfo veffels of a kind of earthen-ware, of a red-dilh brown colour, and moitly of an oval ihape. In thefe they heated their water, and boiled their fifh, yams, 8cc.-~Our people obferved the natives were particularly careful of this pottery, never permitting any of it to approach the fire un-lefs gradually, and always moving it with great caution; from which circumftances it is probable they have not yet been able to difcover a method of burning it fufficiently.
A bundle of cocoa-nut bulks, tied together, formed a broom, to drift or fweep their habitations.—The only con-veniency they had of keeping water in their houfes, or bringing it from their fprings, was in thick bamboos, that had a bore of five or fix inches diameter; thefe they placed upright, and ftooped them when they wanted to pour any out, being at the upper end lipped fo as to form a kind of fpout.
Their hatchets were not unlike thofe of the South Sea iilands, of which fo many have been feen in England; the blade part being made of the ftrongeft part of the large
Ste plate II. Kima Cockle, ground to a fharp edge.—But they were happy
fis- 2t
to adopt iron, when it had been given to them.
They had alfo another kind of hatchet, which was formed in a manner to move round in a groove, that the edge might act longitudinally or tranfverfely, by which it would ferve as a hatchet or an adze, as occafion required.—Uncouth as their
hatchets
hatchets might appear to our people, it was a matter of furprize, to obferve in how little a time the natives were able to fell a tree with them, though not without breaking feveral.
The things which I have above mentioned were fuch as their natural wants required; when thefe had been provided againft, ingenuity thereto fuperadded a few articles, which might in thefe iilands be deemed luxuries. The ftiell of the tortoife was there remarkably beautiful, and the natives of Pelew had difcovered the art of moulding it into little trays or difhes, and into fpoons, with which, on'particular See plate IF. occafions, they eat their fiih and yams.—Some of the great ladies had alfo bracelets of the fame manufacture, and ear- See plate vi. rings inlaid with lliells. . a**
How they conceived this art of working the tortoife- Pfg[l ftiell, or the idea of improving on a natural advantage, or what procefs they made ufe of to effect it, our people had no opportunity of difcovering.
On days of public feftivity, there was ufually brought out the veffel mentioned in page 101, andtherc figured as rc-prefenting a bird, the top of which lifted off, forming its back. It contained about thirty-fix EngliJJj quarts; and was filled with fweet drink for the King and his Rupacks. This was Abba Thullf/s property; and when one conhclcrs it as the work of fo much time and patience (and the more eftimable, as being the only veffel of the kind in their coun-
S f try)
try) the King's giving it to Captain Wilson at his departure, as already mentioned, was an additional proof of the liberality of thefe people, who were ready to diveft themfelves even of what they moft valued, to give to their friends.
THEIR WEAPONS OF WAR.
The principal weapons ufed in their battles were fpears; they were commonly about twelve feet long, formed of the bamboo, with the pointed end made of fome wood exceedingly hard ; they were barbed tranfverfely, fo that, having once entered the body, it was difficult to draw them out without lacerating the fleih, and widening to a great degree the wound.
Another war-weapon was the dart and fling.—The fling was a piece of wood about two feet in length, with a notch made in it, wherein the head of the dart was fixed.—The dart was of bamboo, pointed with an extreme hard and heavy kind of wood, like the fpear, which they comprefled with their hand, till the elafticity of the bamboo had formed fuch a curve as experience told them would reach the object: aimed at; then letting it flip from the notch, it flew forth, and fell by its gravitation with the point downward, fo as to effect the purpofe of being deftructive if it fell upon t the
the enemy. — It is hardly to be conceived with what addrefs they directed this weapon, or the diftance at which it would rjrove mortal. Their fpears were only calculated for a certain diftance, not being in general miftible beyond fifty or fixty feet.—They had other fpears about eighteen feet long, which were only ufed when they came to clofe quarters with the enemy.
When they went to battle, fome of the Rupacks carried in their canoes a kind of fword, made of very hard wood, and inlaid with parts of fliells; this they only made ufe of in per-fonal engagement; they were of fufhcient weight to cleave See plate IL a man's fkull. ™* *'
Our people faw a very few daggers, made of the fting of the Ray-jijh, which is jagged all upwards from the point; they ftieathed them in a bamboo, and their handles were of wood, formed into fome grotefque fhape ; the whole length See plate P. of the weapon not exceeding thirteen inches.
THEIR CANOES.
As their battles were generally fought in canoes, thefe may with propriety follow the account of their warlike implements.
They were, like moft other canoes, made from the trunk of a tree dubbed out; but our people, who had often feen
S f 2 veffels
vcflels of this fort in many other countries, thought thofe of Pelew furpafTed in neatnefs and beauty any they had ever met with elfewhere ; the tree out of which they were formed grew to a very confiderable height, and rcfembled much the EngliJJj Afh.—They were painted red, both within and without *, and inlaid with ihells in different forms.—When they went out in ftate, the heads and fterns were adorned with a variety of fliells fining on a cord, and hung in feftoons.—The fmalleft veffel that they built could hold four or five people,
the largefl were able to contain from twenty-five to thirty._
They carried an outrigger, but only on one fide; and ufed tatine fails made of matting.—As they were not calculated to refill a very rough fea, they rarely went without the coral reef, and fcklom, within it, had any violent fea to encounter, whenever it blew hard the natives always kept clofe under fhore.—In vifits of ceremony, when the King or the great Rupacks approached the place where they intended to land,
the rowers flourifhed their paddles with wonderful addrefs, and the canoes advanced with a flately movement; at other times they got on with an amazing velocity.— When they went againft Artingall, the little canoes,
* As their mode of applying their paint was uncommon, it may merit being particularly defcribed :—The colours are crumbled with the hand into water, whilft it is warming over a gentle fire in earthen pots ; they carefully fkim from the furface whatever dry leaves or dirt may float on the top; when they find it fufficiently thick, they apply it warm, and let it dry upon the wood: the next day they rub it well over with cocoa-nut oil ; and, with the dry hufk of the cocoa-nut, give it, by repeated rubbing;, a polilh and {lability that the waves cannot wafli off.
which
which our people termed frigates, as carrying orders from the King to his officers, flew about like arrows, and fcarcely feemed to touch the water.— In the grand expedition to Pelelew, where a fleet of upwards of three hundred canoes, of different fizes, were collecled together, they formed a moll beautiful and fplendid appearance.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER XXVI.
See plate V. fig 4-
Of the People and their Cufloms.—Of their Marriages.—Of their Funerals.— Of their Religion.—General Character of the Natives.
II E natives of thefe iflands are a flout, well-made
A people, rather above the middling feature; their complexions are of a far deeper colour than what is underftood by the Indian copper, but not black.—Their hair is long and flowing, rather difpofed to curl, which they moltly form into one large loofe curl round their heads ; fome of the women, who have remarkably long hair, let it hang loofe down their backs.—It has already been obferved, that the men were entirely naked; the women wore only two little aprons, or rather thick fringes, one before and one behind, about ten inches deep and feven wide ; thefe were made of the hulks of the cocoa-nut {tripped into narrow Hips, which they dyed with different fhades of yellow : this, their only drefs, they tied round their wailts, commonly with a piece of line, though fuch as were of higher rank ufed a firing of fome kind of beads; the one figured in plate VI. fig\ i, was of a coarfe fort of cornelian, and was worn by Erre Bess ; who, under-ftanding that Captain Wilson had a daughter, gave it to
Mr.
Mr. H. Wilson, before his departure, as a prefent for his filter.
Both men and women were tatooed, or, as they call it, melgothed\ this operation took place, as our people conceived, at a certain period of youth, they having never feen any children of either fex marked by it. — The men had their left ear bored, and the women both; a few of the firft wore beads in the perforated ear, the latter put either fome leaf through, or an ear-ring of tortoife-fhell inlaid. The cartilage between the noftrils was alfo bored, in both fexes, through which they frequently put a little fprig or blof-fom of fome plant or lhrub that accidentally caught their fancy *«
When the men and women grew up, their teeth were blacked ; this was done by the means of fome dye; our people, whilft they remained at Pelew, had no opportunity of feeing how the effect was produced, underftanding only it was an operation that was both tedious and pain fid; but it was afterwards fully explained by Lee Boo to Captain Wilson, on his paffage to England.—At Saint Helena, Lee Boo appeared much delighted at finding fome groundfel, and chewing it, rubbed his teeth with it.—Captain Wilson telling him it was not good to eat, he gave him to underftand
* Perhaps it is owing to the defire of having the fcent of flowers, without the inconvenience of holding them, that the Ea/lern people bore the cartilage between the noftrils. The common people in Italy alfo wear fweet-fmelling flowers (tuck behind the ear, in fuch a manner as to fall on the face, that they may enjoy their fragrance when working or walking,
that
that they had it at Pelew, and ufed it, with four other herbs, bruifed together, and mixed with a little chinam into a paite, which was applied to the teeth every morning, in order to dye them black; the patients lying with their heads upon the floor, and letting the faliva run out of their mouths.—At night, he faid, the parte was taken away, and they were permitted to eat a little.—The fame procefs was repeated the day following, and five days were necelfary to complete the operation.—Lee Boo defcribed it as a thing which gave them a great deal of trouble, and made them
extremely fick.
Both fexes were very expert at fwimming, and appeared to be as perfectly at cafe in the water as on land.—The men were admirable divers; if they faw any thing at the bottom of the fea which attracted their notice, they would jump overboard inftantly and bring it up.
THEIR MARRIAGES.
Thefe were probably no more than a civil contract, but at the fame time that kind of contract which was regarded as inviolable. — They allowed a plurality of wives, but in general had not more than two; Raa Kook had three; the King five, though not living together.— They did not appear to be in any degree jealous of them, permitting them to partake of all their diverfions.
. When
When a woman was pregnant, although fhe accompanied her hufband, yet fhe never ilept with him, but always fepa-rated at night; and this was uniformly practifed by all the fex, even among the loweft clafs of the inhabitants; and it was remarked, that during that period the utmoft attention was obferved to women in that fituation. — When any Chief appeared with his two wives, they ufually fat on either fide of the hulband, and the people feemed to pay them no other attention, but what is ufual in an inter-courfe of the fexes, where the greateft good manners prevail.—One of our people, endeavouring to make himfelf agreeable to a lady belonging to one of the Rupacks, by what we fhould term a marked affiduity, Arra Kooker, with the greateft civility, gave him to underftand it was not right to do fo.
They name the children very foon after they are born; this is moft probably done without any ceremony.—One of Abba Thulle's wives lay-in of a fon, at Pelew, during the time our people were at Oroolong ; the King, out of his regard for Captain Wilson, named the little boy Captain, and afterwards informed Captain Wilson of the circum-ftance.
THEIR
THEIR FUNERALS.'
In the foregoing narrative an account hath been given of the ceremony obferved by Mr. Sharp, at the interment of Raa Kook's fon, in the ifland of Pethoulle. Mr. M. Wilson, at that time at Pelew, was prefent at another funeral, of a young man who had died of the wounds he had received in the fame battle in which the King's nephew had loll his life—The account he gave me of it was as follows:—That accidentally noticing a number of the natives going towards a fmall village, about two miles from the capital, and hearing that the King was gone thither, curiofity induced him to join the throng. When he got to the place, he found a great crowd, furrounding a pavement on which Abba Thulle was feated. The dead body was brought from a houfe not far diftant. The proccflion flopped as it paired before the King, who, without riling from his feat, fpoke very audibly, for a fhort time, and then the pro-ceflion went on.—Whether what lie faid was an eulogiuni on the departed youth, who had fallen in his country's fer-vice, neither of the linguifts being prefent, could not.be af-certained; but from the folemn manner in which the King-delivered his fpeech, and the refpeclful lilence with which the people liflcned to him, it is by no means improbable but that this was the purport of it,
Mr..
Mr. M. Wilson followed the body to the place of interment ; he obferved an elderly woman getting out of the new-made grave, whom he conceived might be the mother, or fome near relation, whom affection had drawn to the melancholy fcene, to be fatisfied that every thing was duly prepared.—When the corpfe was laid in the earth, the lamentation of the women attending was very great.—It appeared, on this occafion, as well as at the funeral of Raa Kook's fon, that no men, but thofe who conveyed the body, were prefent; thefe laft fad offices were left to the tendernefs of the weaker fex: the men only aflembled round the body,, before it was carried to the grave, where they preferved a lb-lemn filence; their minds, from principles of fortitude or philofophy, being armed to meet the events of mortality with manly fubmifTion, diveiled from the external tefti-mony of human weaknefs.
They had places appropriated to fepulture. Their graves were made as ours are in country church-yards; having the mould raifed up in a ridge, over where the body was depo-fited.—Some had ftones raifed above them, with a flat one laid horizontally over, and furrounded by a kind of hurdle-work, to prevent any one from treading over them. -
T t %
THEIR
THEIR RELIGION.
There are few people, I believe, among the race of men, whom navigation hath brought to our knowledge, who have not fhewn, in fome inftance or other, a fenfe of fome-thing like religion, however it might be mixed with idolatry or fuperitition; and yet our people, during their continuance with the natives of Pelew, never faw any particular ceremonies, or obferved any thing that had the appearance of public worfhip.—Indeed, circumftanced as the Englifh were, they had not enough of the language to enter on topics of this nature; and it might alfo have been indifcreet to have done it, as fuch enquiries might have been mifconccived or mifconftrued by the natives. Added to this, their thoughts were naturally all bent on getting away, and preferving, whilft they remained there, the happy intercourfe that fubfifted between them.
Though there was not found, on any of the iilands they vifited, any place appropriated for religious rites, it would perhaps be going too far to declare, that the people of Pelew had abfolutely no idea of religion.—Independant of external ceremony, there may be fuch a thing as the religion of the heart, by which the mind may, in awful lilence, be turned to contemplate the God of Nature ; and though unbleffed by thofe lights which have pointed to the Chrif-
tian
tian world an unerring path to happinefs and peace, yet they might, from the light of reafon only, have difcovered the efficacy of virtue, and the temporal advantage; ariiing from moral rectitude.—The reader will, by this time, have met with fufficient occurrences to convince him, that the inhabitants of thefe new-difcovered regions had a fixed and rooted fenfe of the great moral duties ; this appeared to govern their conduct, glow in all their actions, and grace their lives.—A riling from fuch principles, we fee them laborious, mduff rious, benevolent. In moments of danger firm, and prodigal of life ; under misfortunes patient; in death resigned.—And if, under all thefe circumftances, he can conceive that the natives of Pelew paffed their exiftence away, without fome degree of Confidence, fome degree of Hope, I have only to fay, his idea of mankind mull widely differ from my own,
Superftition is a word of great latitude, and vaguely defined; though it hath, in enlightened ages, been called the off-fpring of ignorance, yet in no times hath it exifted without having fome connection with religion.—Now the people of Pelew had, beyond all doubt, fome portion of it, as appeared in the wilh expreffed by the King, when he faw the fliip building, that the Engli/b would take out of it fome particular wood, which he perceived they had made ufe of, and which he obferved to them was deemed to be of ill omen, or unpropitious.
They
They had alio an idea of an evil fpirit, that often counteracted human affairs; a very particular inflancc of this was feen when Mr. Barker (a moft valuable member in the EngliJJj fociety) fell backward from the fide of the vefTel, then on the flocks ; Raa Kook, who happened to be prefent, obferved thereupon, that it was owing to the UH~ lucky wood our people had fuffered to remain in the veffel, that the evil fpirit had occafioned this mifchief to Mr. Barker.
In the pafiage from Pelew to China, fomcwhat was dif-covereu in Prince Lee Boo, pretty fimilar to what is commonly called fecond figljt;—at the time when he was (as before mentioned) very fea-fick, he faid how much he was concerned at the diftrefs his father and friends were feeling, who knew what he was then fuffering.—The fame anxiety operated on him, on their account, when he perceived his diffolution drawing near, as we fhall have occaiion to mention hereafter.
They certainly entertained fo ftrong an idea of Divination, that whenever any matter of moment was going to be undertaken, they conceived they could, by fplitting the leaves of a particular plant that was not unlike our bull-ruffi, and meafuring the ftrips of this long narrow leaf on the back of their middle finger, form a judgment whether it would or would not turn out profperous : this was obferved by Mr. M. Wilson, in his firft vifit to the King at Pelew ; and
on
on enquiry, was afterwards explained to the Englifh, by the linguift, as being done to difcover if their arrival foreboded good or ill fortune.—It was noticed by feveral of our people, that the King recurred to this fuppofed oracle on different occafions, particularly at the time they went on the fecond ex* pedition againft Artingall, when he appeared to be very unwilling to go aboard his canoe, and kept all his attendants waiting, till he had tumbled and twifted his leaves into a form that fatisfied his mind, and predicted fuccefs. —Our people never obferved any perfon but the King apply to this Divination.
It is hardly probable but the fond anxiety of a parent, on giving up a fon into the hands of ftrangers, who were to convey him to remote regions, of which he could form to himfelf but very imperfect, notions, would, on fo interefting a point, induce him to examine his oracle with uncommon attention; and it is as little to be doubted but that every thing wore, to his imagination, a profperous appearance.—Yet, to evince the fallacy of his prophetic leaves, they certainly augured not the truth, nor prefented to the father's mind even a fufpicion, that the fon he parted with he fhould fee no more!
On this fubject, I would further wifh to bring back to the
reader's recollection a few occurrences already noticed :-
As Raa Kook, and others of the natives, were two or three times prefent when Captain Wilson, on a Sunday evening, affembled his people to read prayers to them, they ex-
2 preffed
preffed no furprize at what was doing, hut appeared clearly to underiland that it was the mode in which the EngliJJj ad-drelTed that invifible God, whom they looked up to for protection ; and, however different their own notions might be, they attended the EngliJJj on thefe occafions with great retpect, fceming defirous to join in it, and conftantly pre-ferving the moft profound fdence—the General never allowing the natives to fpeak a fingle word, and refufing even to receive a melfage from the King, which arrived at the tents during divine fervice.
The ceremony ufed by Raa Kook, after the funeral of his fon, when he repeated fomething to himfelf whilft he was marking the cocoa-nuts, and the bundle of beetle-leaves, which the old woman was to place on the young man's grave, had every appearance of a pious office;—and when he planted the cocoa-nuts, and fome other fruit-trees, on the iiland of Oroolong, what he uttered in a low voice, as each feed was depofited in the earth, impreffed thofe prefent as the giving a benediction to the future tree that was to fpring from it.—The King alfo, when he took leave of his fon, laid a few words, which, by the folemnity they were delivered with, and the refpectful manner in which Lee Boo received them, induced all our countrymen to conceive it was a kind of bleffing.
I muft, in this place, add a circumftance that paffed in converfation with Captain Wilson and Lee Boo, after he had been fome time in England ; the former telling him,
6 that
that faying prayers at church was to make men good, that when they died, and were buried, they might live again above (pointing to the Iky) ; Lee Boo, with great carneft-neft, replied—All fame Pelew—Bad men fay in earth— good men go into Jky — become very beautiful, holding his hand in the air, and giving a fluttering motion to his fingers. —This furely conveyed a ftrong idea, that they believed the fpirit exifted when the body was no more.
After combining all thefe facts, and uniting them with the moral characters of the people, the reader is left in a fituation to judge for himfelf (independent of Lee Boo's declaration) whether it is probable that their lives could be conducted with that decency we have feen, and their minds trained to fo ftrong a fenfe of juftice, propriety, and delicacy, without having fome guiding principle of religion.—Thus much, at leaft, I think we may be authorized to affert—If all this was effected without it, it proves that the natives of Pelew had been happy enough not only to difcover, but to be perfectly convinced, that Virtue was its own reward*
GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE NATIVES.
I fhall clofe this account of the Pelew iilands with a few general remarks on the difpofition and character of the natives.
The conduct, of thefe people towards the Englifh wis,
U u from
from the firft to the laft, uniformly courteous and attentive, accompanied with a politenefs that furprized thofe on whom it was bellowed. At all times they feemed fo cautious of intruding, that on many occafions they facrificed their natural curiofity to that refpect, which natural good manners appeared to them to exact. Their liberality to the EngliJJj at their departure, when individuals poured in all the beft they had to give, and that of articles too of which they had far from plenty themfelves, ftrongly demonftrated that thefe teftimonies of friendihip were the effufion of hearts that glowed with the flame of philanthropy ; and when our countrymen, from want of ftowage, were compelled to refufe the further marks of kindnefs which were offered them, the intreating eyes and fupplicating geftures with which they folicited their acceptance of what they had brought, moft forcibly expreffed how much their minds were wounded, to think they had not arrived early enough to have their little tributes of affection received.
Nor was this conduct of theirs an oftentatious civility ex-ercifed towards ftrangers.—Separated as they were from the reft of the world, the character of a ftranger had never entered their imagination.—They felt our people were dif-treiTed, and in confequence wifhed they fhould fhare whatever they had to give. It was not that worldly munificence, that beftows and fpreads its favours with a diftant eye to retribution—Their bofoms had never harboured fo contaminating
initiating a thought—No; it was the pure emotions of native benevolence—It was the love of man to man.—It was a fcene that pictured human nature in triumphant colouring —And, whilft their liberality gratified the fenfe, their virtue flruck the heart!
Our people had alfo many occaflons to obferve, that this fpirit of urbanity operated in all the intercourfe the natives had among themfelves. The attention and tendernefs fhewn to the women was remarkable, and the deportment of the men to each other mild and affable; infomuch that, in the various fcenes of which they were Spectators, during their Hay on thefe iflands, the EngliJJj never faw any thing that had the appearance of contefl, or paflion : every one feemed to attend to his own concerns, without interfering with the bufinefs of their neighbour.—The men were occupied in their plantations, or in cutting wood, making hatchets, line, or fmall cords: fome in building houfes or canoes; others in making nets and fifliing-tackle. The forming of darts, fpears, and other warlike weapons, engroffed the attention of many more; as alfo the making of paddles for their boats, the fafhioning of domeftic utenfils, and the preparing and burning the chinam.—Such as had abilities to conduct any ufeful employment were called by the natives Tackelbys; of this clafs were reckoned the people who built, or inlaid the canoes; fuch alfo were thofe who manufactured the tortoife-fhell, or made the pottery.
U u 2 As
As induftry, however zealous, muft be How in producing its purpofe, unaided by proper implements, and labour rendered extremely tedious from this deficiency, yet, in regions where fuch advantages arc denied, we do not find that the ardour of attempting is abated. A fteady perfeve-rancc, to a certain degree, accomplifhes the end aimed at; and Europe hath not, without reafon, been aftonifhed at the many fingular productions imported from the fouthern discoveries, fo neatly and curiouily wrought by artlefs hands, unaffifted but by fuch fimple tools as ferve only to in-creafe our furprize, when we fee how much they have effected.—Every man, by his daily labour, gained his daily fuftenance: neceflity impofing this exertion, no idle or indolent people were feen, not even among thofe whom Superior rank might have exempted; on the contrary, thefe excited their inferiors to toil and activity by their own examples. The King himfelf was the beft maker of hatchets in the ifland, and was ufually at work whenever difengaged from matters of importance.—Even the women fhared in the common toil; they laboured in the plantations of yams, and it was their province to pluck out all the weeds that fhot up from between the ftones of the paved caufeways. They manufactured the mats and bafkets, as well as attended to their domeftic concerns. The bufinefs of tatooing was alfo carried on by them; thofe who entered on this employment were denominated Tackelbys artbeil, or female ar-t - tilts.—
/fa* 7
n '■' * />r'/' - ^pwi^ --"-■--—-' 1 "—~ —
y UctJMet^Jvr carrying £ut^ Nut. % cLftaputfvr common, futrfiofes .
/'uA/i/hft/. 0A'l.-Jtr/, fir /'„„/■ //w. Hif/rn, at rJt, Act tUrtcts Afay 4" 4>]S9
tifts.—Their manners were courteous, though they were far from being of loofe or vicious difpofitions;—they in general rejected connections with our people, and refented any indelicate or unbecoming freedom with a proper fenfe of modefty.
In fuch fcenes of patient induftry, the years of fleeting-life paffed on; and the cheerful difpofition of the natives fully authorized our people to fuppofe, that there were few hours of it either irkfome or oppreffive. They were ftrangers to thofe pafhons which ambition excites—to thofe cares which affluence awakens.—Their exiftence appeared to glide along like a fmooth undifturbed ftream ; and when the natural occurrences of life ruffled the furfacc, they poffeffed a fufheient portion of fortitude to recover foon its wonted calm.—Their happinefs feemed to be fecurcd to them on the lirmeft bans ; for the little which Nature and Providence fpread before them, they enjoyed with a contented cheerfulnefs ; nor were their bofoms habituated to cherifh wifhes which they had not the power of gratifying. And it will not furely be denied, that in civilized nations the error of a contrary conduct exhibits, among the inactive, many melancholy repining countenances; whilft it prompts more daring and uncontrouled fpirits to aim at compafhng their views by inj office, or rapine, and to break down the facred barrier of fociety.
From the general character of thefe people, the reader, I
fhould
mould conceive, will be difpofed to allow, that their lives do credit to human nature; and that, however untutored, however uninformed, their manners prefent an interefting picture to mankind.—We fee a defpotic government without one fhade of tyranny, and power only exercifed for general happinefs, the fubjects looking up with filial reverence to their King.-—And, whilft a mild government, and an affectionate confidence, linked their little ftate in bonds of harmony, gentlenefs of manners was the natural refult, and fixed a brotherly and difmterefted intercoxirfe among one
another.
I am well aware, that in the expedition againft Pelelew, the deftroying the houfes and plantations of the little iiland belonging to it, which the natives, through fear, had abandoned, as well as the killing thofe whom they captured in battle, are both of them circumftances which will appear to militate againft that humanity which, throughout this work, I have attributed to the people of Pelew.—Refpect.-ing the firft, though the landing in an enemy's country, and fpreading devaftation and diftrefs, is by no means a practice new in the annals of hiftory, political neceflity qualifying the meafure ; yet in thefe regions it feemed alfo to militate fo much againft their accuftomed maxim, never to take an enemy by furprize, but to give previous notice of a meditated attack, that I am ftrongly inclined to think that this might have been a new art of war fuggefted to the
King
King by the Malay favourite, as it totally contradicted that open generofity with which they at all times conducted hoflilities.
As to their putting their prifoners to death, Raa Kook, on being cenfured for it by Captain Wilson, faid, it bad not always been fo ; and, in afngning reafons for being compelled to do it, feemed to fhelter the proceeding under the plea of political neceflity.
The number captured in any of their battles muft, from their mode of engaging, be at all times very trifling. In the moft coniiderable engagement our people witneffed at Artingall, no more than nine were made prifoners, which the natives accounted a great many ; nor were thefe put to death in cold blood, it rather might be called the clofe of the battle. It was generally the effect of unfubiided palfion or revenge, the terminating blow being, in moft cafes, given by fome one who had loft a near relation, or friend, in the battle, or was himfelf fuffering under the pain of a wound. Situated, befide, fo nearly as thefe iflands were to each other, it was next to impoilible to detain their captives; they had no prifons to confine them; no cartel canoes to negotiate an exchange; and, going about the ifland freely, the lives of the Sovereign, or his Chiefs, were at all times affailable by any vindi&ive fpirit. They had, as the General told Captain Wilson, ineffectually ftrove to detain them as menial fervants. Therefore, revolting as the idea is, if they a have,
have, in this refpe£t, adopted a maxim which prevails among the Indian tribes in America and in the numerous Hates of Africa (though.the number of lives facrificed can never here be many) one hath only to lament that political necejjity hath (in common with a multitude of other uncivilized countries) thrown a fhade over thefe new-difco-vered iilands.
It fhould be the caution of every writer, to endeavour to difartn criticifm, by meeting objections that may be made. —After the good diipofitions which the people of Pelew have been ieen to poffefs, it may poffibly be faid, they were addicted to pilfering when opportunity offered; a cenfure which many, I believe, have thought has been too feverely palled on the poor inhabitants of the fouth-ern ocean.—But in the Pelew iilands, it was never done but by thofe of the loweft clafs; and whenever complaint was made of any thing being taken clandestinely away, the King, as well as his Chiefs, confidered it as a breach of hofpitality, nor could their indignant fpirit s reft till the article purloined was fearched for, and if found, re-itored.—Should fome Eajlern Prince, magnificently decorated, accidentally, as he paffed along, drop a diamond from his robe, and were a poor peafant (who knew how great an acquifition it was) purfuing the fame track, to fee it fparkling in the duff, where is that refiftance, that felf-denial, which would go on and leave it untouched ?—A nail—a tool—or a
bit
bit of old iron, was to them the alluring diamond.—They had no penal ftatute againft petty larceny. They fought only the means of rendering eafier the daily toils of life, and compafling with facility that, which they imperfectly accom-plifhed by unwearied pcrfcvcrance ! And, I am confident, the voice of reafon will unite with me in afferting, that they muft have been more than men, had they acted lefs like men. Virtuous in the extreme would be deemed that country, where the confeience of no individual, in the cool moments of reflection, could upbraid him with a heavier tranfgreilion, than applying to his own ufe a bit of iron that lay before him \
In the name of humanity, then, let us judge with lefs rigour our fellow-creatures; and, fhould any one he difpofed, for fuch trivial failings, to cenfure the benevolent inhabitants of Pelew, that cenfure, I trult, for the fake of juftice, will never be paffed on them by thofe who live in civilized and enlightened nations—for Such muft he too well convinced of the inefficacy of the beft-digefted laws, and the inability of their own internal police to rcitrain the vices of mankind, by obferving, that all which prudence can revolve, wifdom plan, or power enforce, is frequently unable to protect their Property by night, or their Perfons, at all times, even under meridian funs.—They will reflect, that every bolt and bar is a fat ire on fociety ; and painfully recollect, that it is not the daring plunderer alone they have to guard againft; they are
X x affailable
affailable under the fmile of dijjetnbkd friendfhip, by which the Generous and the Confiding are too often betrayed into a fituation beyond the fhelter of any protecling law; a wound which, perhaps, more than any other, hath tortured the feelings of fenfibility !
Waiting, therefore, that long-expected eera, when civilization, fcience, and philofophy, fhall bring us to a more confirmed practice of real virtue, it becomes us to view with charity thofe errors in others, which we have not as yet been able to correct in ourfclves.
If the enlightened fons of Europe, enjoying the full blaze of advantages unknown in lefs favoured regions, have hitherto made fo flow an advance toward moral perfection, they are furely pafling the fevereft cenfure on themfelves^ if they expect to find it in a happier manner approached by the dark and unfriended children of the Southern World !
CHAPTER
Prificc L.EE BOO Second Sorvof^BBA THULLE.
hMfhid by G Nidiol.jtr Copt Henry Wilf(m>,as the, Act e&rtcts Mciv i'*4,JSS .
CHAPTER XXVII.
Anecdotes of Lee Boo, fecond Son of Abba Thulle, from the Time of leaving Canton to Death.
T TAVING given a faithful narrative of all the mate-•** * rial occurrences which happened to our people during the time they remained in the Pelew Islands, as well as fuch information concerning their produce, manners, difpofition, way of life, and character of the natives, as could be collected in that fpace of time, from the intercourfe our countrymen had with them; I fhall clofe this work with fuch anecdotes Sbf Prince Lee Boo, as I have received from fome of my particular friends who often faw him, added to thofe I have myfelf been witnefs of; — inlignificant as the amount of the whole may be, yet I think them worth recording ;—from a trifling fketch, or a mere outline, enough may be gained of character, to convey to the mind no fallacious idea of the object aimed at.—-In the prefent cafe, no more than an outline can be delineated—Had not this youth, who came here almoft a ftranger to our language, and who lived little more than five months with us, been matched away fo foon to fill an early grave, I
X x 2 might
might have been enabled to offer the public a more fhiiihed picture of him.
In the flight acquaintance made with him at Macoa and Canton, he hath, I trufh, interested the reader by that ingenuous opennefs, which was the remit of native simplicity; he is there feen in the character of a new-born creature, jufl entering a world he was quite a ft ranger to, darting his bewildered eyes on every fide, and folicitcd by fuch a variety of novelty, that he knew not where to fix his attention. However beautiful, however stiipendous the objects may be which furround us, when they have been within our view through all the progreflive advance of early years, they infenfibly ceafe to engage our notice.—The peafant, bred at the foot of ^Etna or the Andes, fees with indifference thofe wonderful.operations of Nature, which feduce fo frequently from diftant- countries the inquifitive traveller. —The cafe of Lee Boo was directly otherwife; if I may be allowed the expreflion, he was born at the ftate of manhood, with his mind in full vigour, and inftantly found himfelf en-compaffed by fcenes not only totally new, but totally beyond his conceptions — fcenes which to him were fo bordering on enchantment, that they were fuiTicicnt to have half ovcr-fet the inexperienced faculties of our young traveller, hod he not conftantly had his Mentor at his elbow to clear up all his difficulties, point his judgment properly, and give 7 hioa.
him a jufl explanation of-whatever became an object of his notice and furprize.
We left them together, as the reader will recollect, on board the Morse Indictman, purfuing their paffage to Europe ; he was treated with much kindnefs and attention by the Commander, Captain Elliot, and Lee Boo was fo courteous and pleafant during the whole voyage, that every one was ready to render him every fervice in their power.
He was extremely defirous of knowing the name and country of every fliip he met at fea, and would repeat what he was told over and over till he had fixed it well in his memory ; and, as each inquiry was gratified, he made a knot on his Line ; but thefe knots now having greatly multiplied, he was obliged to repeat them over every day to re-frefli his memory, and often to recur to Captain Wilson, or others, when he had forgot what any particular knot referred to. The officers in the Morse, with whom only he affociated, when they faw him thus bulled with his Line, ufbd to fay he was reading his journal. He frequently afked after all the people of the Oroolong, who had gone aboard different fhips at China, particularly after, the Captain's fon, and Mr. Sharp.
He had not been long on the voyage before he foliated Captain Wilson to get him a book, and point out to him the letters, that he might, when he knew them, be instructed' in reading; all convenient opportunities were allotted to
gratify
gratify this wilh of his young pupil, who difcovered great readinefs in comprehending every information given him.
On arriving at Saint Helena, he was much flruck with the foldiers and cannon on the fortifications; and the coming in foon after of four EngliJJj men of war, afforded him a fight highly delighting, particularly thofe which had two tier of guns. It was explained to him that thefe kind of fhips were intended only for fighting, and that the other vcilels which he then faw in the Bay were deffined for commerce, to tranfport and exchange from one country to another its produce and manufactures.—Captain Buller, the Commander of his Majefty's fhip The Chaser, had the goodnefs to take him on board his own, and another fhip, to let him fee the men exercifcd at the great guns and fmall arms, which exceedingly imprcffed his imagination.
On being carried to fee a fchool, he expreffed a wifh that he could learn as the boys did, feeling his own deficiency in
knowledge.
He defired to ride on horfeback into the country, which he was permitted to do; he fat well, and galloped, fhewed no fear of falling, and appeared highly pleafed both with the novelty and pleafure of the exercife.
Vifiting the Company's garden, he noticed fome fliady walks formed with bamboos arching overhead on latticework. He was firuck with the refrefhing coolnefs they afforded, and obferved, that his own countrymen were t ignorant
ignorant of the advantages they might enjoy, faying, that on this ifland they had hut little wood, yet applied it to a good purpofe ; that at Pelew they had great abundance, and knew not how to ufe it — Adding, that when he went back, he would fpeak to the King, tell him how defective they were, and have men employed to make fuch bowers as he had feen.
Such were the dawnings of a mind that felt its own dark-nefs—and had the good-fenfe to catch at every ray of light that might lead him forward to information and improvement !
Before the Morse quitted Saint Helena, the Las-celles arrived, by which occurrence Lee Boo had an interview with his firft friend, Mr. Sharp ; he had a fight of him from a window, and ran out with the utmoft impatience to take him by the hand ; happy, after fo long a feparation, to meet him again, and evincing by his ardour the grateful fentiments he retained of the attention that gentleman had ihewn him.
As he drew near the Britljh channel, the number of veffels that he obferved purfuing their different courfes, increafing fo much, he was obliged to give up the keeping of his journal; but was ftill very inquifitive to know, whither they were failing.—When the Morse got to the Isle of Wight, Captain Wilson, his brother, the Prince, with feveral other paffengers, quitted her3 and coming in a boat between the
Needles,
Needles, arrived fife at Portsmouth the fourteenth of July 1784.— On landing, the number and fize of the men of war then in harbour, the variety of houfes, and the ramparts, were all objects of attraction ; he feemed fo totally abforbed in fllent furprize, that he had no leifure to afk any questions. —The officer of the Morse charged with the difpatches letting off immediately for London, Captain Wilson, impatient to fee his family, accompanied him, leaving his young traveller in the care of his brother, to follow him by a coach, which was to fet off in the evening. As foon as he reached town, he was conveyed to the Captain's houfe at Rotherhithe, where he was not a little happy to rejoin his adopted father, and in being introduced to his fa-mil v.
Though part of his journey had paffed during the night, yet, with returning day, his eyes had full employment on every fide ; and when he was got to what was now to be,
for fome time, his destined home, he arrived in all the natural glow of his youthful fpirits. Whatever he had obferved in silence, was now eagerly difclofed. He defcrib-ed all the circumstances of his journey; faid it was very pleafant—that he had been put into a little houfe, which was ran away with by horfes — that he ilept, but ftill was going on; and, whilft he went one way, the fields, houfes, and trees, all went another — every thing, from the qiiicknefs of travelling, appearing to him to be in motion.
At
At the hour of reft he was fhewn by Mr. M. Wilson up to his chamber, where, for the firft time, he faw a four-poft bed; he could fcarce conceive what it meant—he jumped in, and jumped out again ; felt and pulled afide the curtains ; got into bed, and then got out a fecond time, to admire its exterior form. At length, having become acquainted with its ufe and convenience, he laid himfelf down to fleep, faying, that in England there was a houfe for every thing.
It was not, I believe, more than a week after his arrival, when I was invited, by my late valued friend Robert Rasii-leigh, Efq. to dinner, where Captain Wilson, and his young charge, were expected.—Lee Boo then poffeffed but very little EngliJJj, yet, between words and action, made himfelf tolerably understood, and feemed to comprehend the greater part of what was faid to him, efpecially, having the Captain by him to explain whatever he did not clearly comprehend.— He was dreft as an ILnglifhman, excepting that he wore his hair in the fafhion of his country; appeared to be between nineteen and twenty years of age, was of a middling ftature, and had a countenance fo ftrongly marked with fenfibility and good-humour, that it inftantly prejudiced every one in his favour; and this countenance was enlivened by eyes fo quick and intelligent, that they might really be faid to announce his thoughts and conceptions without the aid of language.
Y y Though
Though the accounts I had previoufly received of this new man (as he was called at Macoa) had greatly raifed my expectations, yet when I had been a little time in his company, I was perfectly allonifhed at the eafe and gentle-nefs of his manners; he was lively and pleafant, and had a politenefs without form or restraint, which appeared to be the refult of natural good-breeding.—As I chanced to lit near him at table, I paid him a great deal of attention* which he feemed to be very fenlible of.—Many questions were of courfe put to Captain Wilson by the company, concerning this perfon age, and the country he had brought him from, which no European had ever visited before; he obligingly entered on many particular circumstances which were highly interesting, fpoke of the battles in which his people had assisted the King of Pelew, and of the peculiar manner the natives had of tying up their hair when going to war ; Lee Boo, who fully understood what his friend was explaining, very obligingly, and unafked, untied his own, and threw it into the form Captain Wilson had been defcribing.—I might tire the reader were I to enumerate the trivial occurrences of a few hours, rendered only of confequence from the Angularity of this young man's situation; fuffice it to fay, there was in all his deportment fuch affability and propriety of behaviour, that when he took leave of the company, there was hardly any one prefent who did not feel a fatisfaction in having had an interview with him.
I went
I went to Rotmkrhithe, a few days after, to fee Captain Wilson ; Lee Boo was reading at a window, he recollectod me instantly, and flew with eagernefs to the door to meet me, looked on me as a friend, and ever after attached himfelf to me, appearing to be happy whenever we met together.—In this vifit I had a good deal of converfation with him, and we mutually managed to be pretty well understood by each other; he feemed to be pleafed with every thing about him, faid, Allfine country, fine Jlreet, fine coach, and houfe upo n houfe up to fky, putting alternately one hand above another, by which I found (their own habitations being all on the ground) that every feparate ftory of our buildings he at that time considered as a distinct: houfe.
He was introduced to feveral of the Directors of the India Company, taken to vifit many of the Captain's friends, and gradually fhewn moft of the public buildings in the different quarters of the town; but his prudent conductor had the caution to avoid taking him to any places of public entertainment, left he might accidentally, in thofe heated reforts, catch the fmall-pox, a difeafe which he purpofed to inoculate the young Prince with, as foon as he had acquired enough of our language to be reafoned into the neceflity of fubmitting to the operation; judging, and furely not without good reafon, that by giving him fo offensive and trou-blefome a distemper, without first explaining its nature, and preparing his mind to yield to it, it might weaken
Y y 2 that
that unbounded confidence which this youth placed in his adopted father.
After he had been awhile fettled, and a little habituated to the manners of this country, he was fent every day to an Academy at Rotherhtthe, to be inftructed in reading and writing, which he was himfelf eager to attain, and moft afTiduous in learning; his whole deportment, whilft there, was fo engaging, that it not only gained him the efteem of the gentleman under whofe tuition he was placed, but alfo the affection of his young companions;—in the hours of recefs, when he returned to the Captain's houfe, he amufed the whole family by his vivacity, noticing every particularity he faw in any of his fchool-fellows, with great good-humour mimicking their different manners, fometimes faying he would have a fchool of his own when he returned to Pelew, and mould be thought very wife when he taught the great people their letters.
lie always addreffed Mr. Wilson by the appellation of Captain ; but never would call Mrs, Wilson (to whom he behaved with the warmeft affection) by any other name than that of Mother, looking on that as a mark of the greateft re-fpect.—Being often told he fhould fay Mrs. Wilson, his con-ftant reply was, No, no—Mother, Mother.
Captain Wilson, when invited to dine with his friends, was generally accompanied by Lee Boo; on which occa-tions, there was fo much eafe and politenefs in his behaviour,
as
as if he had been always habituated to good company; he adapted himfelf very readily to whatever he faw were the cuftoms of the country, and fully confirmed me in an opinion which I have ever entertained, that natural good manners is the natural refult of natural good fenfe.
Wherever this young man went, nothing efcaped his obfervation ; he had an ardent defire of information, and thankfully received it, always expreffing a with to know by what means effects which he noticed, were produced. I was one day in company with him, where a young lady fat down to the harpficord, to fee how he was affected with mufic; he appeared greatly furprized that the instrument could throw out fo much found; it was opened, to let him fee its interior construction, he pored over it with great attention, watching how the jacks were moved, and feemed far more difpofed to puzzle out the means which produced the founds, than to attend to the muhc that was playing. He wTas afterwards requested to give us a Pelew fong; he did not wait for thofe repeated intreaties which lingers usually require, but obligingly began one as foon as afked; the tones, however, were fo harlh and difcordant, and his breast feemed to labour with fo much exertion, that his whole countenance was changed by it, and every one's ears stunned with the horrid notes. From this sample of Pelew singing, it is not to be wondered, that a chorus of fuch performers had the effect (as hath been related) of making our
% countrymen
countrymen at Oroolong fly to their arms;—it might, in truth, have alarmed a whole garrifon.—Though when he had been fome time here, he readily caught two or three hjigliJJj fongs, in which his voice appeared by no means inharmonious.
Lee Boo's temper was very mild and companionate, difco-vering, in various instances, that he had brought from his father's territories that fpirit of philanthropy, which we have feen reigned there; yet he at all times governed it by difcretion and judgment.—If he faw t\\c young afking relief, he would rebuke them with what little Englijb he was mafter of, telling them, it was a Ihame to beg when they were able to work *r but the intreaties of old age he could never withftand, faying, muft give poor old man—old man no able to work.
I am perfectly convinced, that Captain Wilson, from the confidence which the King had repofed in him, would have held himfelf inviolably bound to protect and ferve this
young creature to the utmoft extent of his abilities; but, in* dependant of what he felt was due to the noble character of Abba Thulle, there was fo much gentlenefs, and fo much gratitude lodged at Lee Boo's heart, that not only the Captain, but every part of his family, viewed him with the warmeft fentiments of difinterefted affection.—Mr. H.Wilson, the Captain's fon, being a youth of a very amiable character, and a few years younger than Lee Boo, they had, during their voyage to, and ftay in China, become mutually
i attached
attached to each other, and meeting again under the father's roof, their friendfhip was ftill more cemented; the young Prince looked on him as a brother, and, in his leifure hours from the Academy, was happy to find in him a companion to converfe with, to exercife the throwing of the fpear, or partake in any innocent recreation.
Boy am, the Malay, whom the King had fent to attend on his fon, proving an unprincipled, dilhoneft fellow, Lee Boo was fo difgufted at his conduct, that he intreated Captain Wilson to fend him back to Sumatra (which he had learned was the Malay's own country) ; and Tom Rose, who had picked up a great deal of the Pelew language, having got to England, he was engaged (from his tried fidelity) to fupply his place; an exchange which gave great fatisfaction to all parties.
Captain Wilson being now and then incommoded with fevere head-achs, which were fometimes relieved by lying down on the bed ; on thefe occafions the feelings of Lee Boo were ever alarmed. He appeared always unhappy, would creep up foftly to his protectors chamber,, and fit filent by his bedfide for a long time together, without moving, peeping gently from time to time between the curtains, to fee if he flept, or lay eafy.
Asthe anecdotes of this lingular youth are but fcanty,being all unfortunately limited to a very lhort period, I would unwillingly, in this place, withhold one, where his own heart
defcribed
defcribed itfelf. The Captain having been all the morning in London, after dinner anted his fon if he had been at fome place, he had, before he went to town, directed him to call at, with a particular meffage ? The fact was, the two young friends had been amufing themfelves with throwing the fpear, and the bufinefs had been totally forgotten.—Captain Wilson was hurt at the neglect-, and told his fon it was very idle and carelefs; this being fpoken in an impatient tone of voice, which Lee Boo conceiving was a mark of anger in the father, llipt unobferved out of the parlour. The matter was inftantly forgotten, and fomething elfe talked of, when Lee Boo being miffed, Harry Wilson was fent to look after him, who finding him in a back room quite dejected, defired him to return to the family ; Lee Boo took his young friend by the hand, and on entering the parlour went up to the father, and laying hold of his hand joined it with that of his fon, and preffing them together, dropped over both thofe tears of fenfibility, which his affectionate heart could not on the occafion fupprefs.
Captain Wilson and the young Prince dining with me early after his arrival, I was afking how he was affected by painting; on mentioning the fubject, Dr. Carmichael Smyth, whom I had requefted to meet this ftranger, wifhed me to bring a miniature of myfelf, that we might all thereby obferve if it flruck him; he took it in his hand, and inflantly darting his eyes toward me,
called
called out, Mijfer Keate—very nice, very good.—The Captain then afking him, if he underftood what it lignified ? he replied, Lee Boo underjland well—that Mijfer Keate die—this Mijfer Keate live.—A treatife on the utility and intent of portrait-painting could not have better defined the art than this little fentence.
Mrs. Wilson defiring Lee Boo, who was on the opposite fide of the table, to fend her fome cherries, perceiving that he was going to take them up with his fingers, jocofely noticed it to him, he inftantly reforted to a fpoon; but, fenfiblfc that he had difcovered a little unpolitenefs, his countenance was in a moment fuffufed with a blufli, that vifibly forced itfelf through his dark complexion.
A lady, who was of the party, being incommoded by the violent heat of the day* was nearly fainting, and obliged to leave the room ; this amiable youth feemed much diffreifed at the accident, andjfeeing her appear again when we were fummoned to tea, his enquiries, and particular attention to her, as ftrongly marked his tendernefs, as it did his good-breeding.
He was fond of riding in a coach beyond any other conveyance, becaufe, he faid, people could be carried where they wanted to go, and at the fame time fit and converfe together. He feemed particularly pleafed at going to church, and, though he could not comprehend the fervice, yet he perfectly underftood the intent of it, and always behaved there with remarkable propriety and attention.
Z z Captain
Captain Wilson kept him from going abroad, except to vifit friends, for the reafon already affigned, as alfo from another prudential conhderation, that his mind might be tranquil, nor too much drawn off from the great object in view, the attaining the language, which would enable him to comprehend fully every purpofed information, and to enjoy better whatever he fhould then be fhewn. The river, the fhipping, and the bridges he was forcibly flruck with; and he was feveral times taken to fee the guards exercifed and $farch in St. James's park, a fight which gratified him much, every thing that was military greatly engaging his attention. To a young creature, lituated as he was, and whofe eye and mind were ever in queft of information, circumflances perpetually occurred, that at the time interefted thofe who were about him, but which at prefent would be trefpaffing too much on the reader to mention.
I went to fee him the morning after Lunardi's full al-cent in the balloon, not doubting but that I fhould have found him to the greateft degree aftonifhed at an exhibition which had excited fo much curiofity even amongfl ourfelves; but, to my great furprize, it did not appear to have engaged him in the leaft. He faid, be thought it a very foolifh thing to ride in the air like a bird, when a man could travel fo much more pleafantiy on horfeback or in a coach.—He was either not aware of the difficulty or hazard of the enterprize, or it is not improbable that a man flying up through the clouds fufpended at a balloon, might have been ranked by
him
him as a common occurrence, in a country which was perpetually fpreading before him fomany fubjecfs of furprize.
Whenever he had opportunities of feeing gardens, he was an attentive obferver of the plants and fruit-trees, would afk many queftions about them, and fay, when he returned home, he would take feeds of fuch as would live and flour ifh in Pelew; talked frequently of the things he fhou'ld then per-fuade the King to alter or adopt; and appeared in viewing moft objects to confider how far they might be rendered ufeful to his own country.
He was now proceeding with hafty ftrides in gaining the Englijh language, and advancing fo rapidly with his pen, that he would probably in a fhort time have written a very fine hand, when he was overtaken by that very difeafe, which with fo much caution had been guarded againft. On the 16th of December he felt himfelf much indifpofed, and in a day or two after an eruption appeared all over him.—Captain Wilson called to inform me of his uneafinefs, and wa» then going to Dr. Carmichael Smyth, to requeft he would fee him, apprehending that it might be the finall-pox.
Dr. Smyth, with whofe profeffional abilities are united every accomplishment of the fcholar and the gentleman, and whofe friendlhip I feel a pride in acknowledging myfelf long polfelfed of, defired me to go with him to Rother-hithe. When he defcended from Lee Boo's chamber (where he rather wifhed me not to go) he told the family
Z z 2 that
that there was not a doubt with refpect to the difeafe, and was forry to add (what he thought it right to prepare them for) that the appearances were fuch as almoft totally precluded the hope of a favourable termination ; but that he had ordered whatever the prefent moment required. Captain Wilson earneftly folicited the continuance, if poflible, of his vifits, and was alfured that however inconvenient the diftance, he would daily attend the iffue of the diflemper.
When I went the fecond day, I found Mr. Sharp there, a gentleman fo often mentioned in the foregoing narrative, who, hearing of his young friend's illnefs, had come to afhft Captain Wilson, nor ever ftirred from the houfe, till poor Lee Boo had yielded to his fate.
The Captain having never had the fmall-pox himfelf, was now precluded going into Lee Boo's room, who, informed of the caufe, acquiefced in being deprived of feeing him, ftill continuing to be full of enquiries after his health, fearing he might catch the difeafe; but though Captain Wilson complied with the requeft of his family in not going into the chamber, yet he never abfented himfelf from the houfe; and Mr. Sharp conftantly took care that every direction was duly attended to, and from him I received the account of our unfortunate young ftranger during his illnefs, which he bore with great firmnefs of mind, never refusing to take any thing that was ordered for him, when told that Dr. Smyth, to whofe opinion he paid the greateft
deference3
deference, defired it.—Mrs. Wilson happening to have fome indifpofition at this time, which confined her to her bed, Lee Boo, on hearing of it, became impatient, faying, What, Mother ill! Lee Boo get up to fee her; which he did, and would go to her apartment, to be fatisfied how fhe really was.
On the Thurfday before his death, walking acrofs the room, he looked at himfelf in the glafs (his face being then much fwelled and disfigured) ; he fhook his head, and turned away, as if difgufted at his own appearance, and told Mr. Sharp, that his father and mother much grieve, for they knew he was very fick; this he repeated feveral times.—At night, growing worfe, he appeared to think himfelf in danger; he took Mr. Sharp by the hand, and, fixing his eyes ftedfaftly on him, with earneftnefs faid, Good friend, when you go to Pelew, tell Abba Thulle that Lee Boo take much drink to make fmall-pox go away, but he die;—that the Captain and Mother (meaning Miftrefs Wilson) very kind—#//Englifh very good men ;—was much forry he could not fpeak to the King the number of fine things the Englifh had got.—Then he reckoned what had been given him as prefents, which he wifhed Mr. Sharp would diftribute, when he went back, among the Chiefs; and requefted that very particular care might be taken of the blue glafs barrels on pedeftals, which he directed fhould be given to the King.
Poor Tom Rose, who ftood at the foot of his young
mafter's
matter's bed, was fhedding tears at hearing all this, which Lee Boo obferving, rebuked him for his weaknefs, afking, Why Jhould he be crying Jo bccaufe Lee Boo die f
Whatever he felt, his fpirit was above complaining; and Mrs. Wilson's chamber being adjoining to his own, he often called out to inquire if fhe was better, always adding, leit (he might fuffer any difquietude on his account, Lee Boo do zvell. Mother. The fmall-pox, which had been out eight or nine days, not riling, he began to feel himfelf fink, and told Mr. Sharp he his remembrance, as armed with that unfhaken fortitude that was equal to the trials of varying life.—I le will not in him, as in lefs manly fpirits, fee the paflions milling into oppofite extremes—Hope turned to Defpair—Affection converted to Haired,—No—After fome allowance for their natural fermentation, he will fuppofe them all placidly fubliding into the Calm of Resignation ! —
Should this not be abfolutely the cafe of our friendly King—as the human mind is far more pained by uncertainty than a knowledge of the worjl—every reader will lament, he mould to this moment remain ignorant, that his long-looked for Son can return no more.
At Rome, the life of one citizen faved, gave a claim to the civic wreath—At Pelew, fo many of our countrymen refcued from diftrefs, and by Abba Thulle's protection and benevolence, not only faved from inevitable deftruclion, but
enabled to return in fafety to their families and friends, hath fure a ftill ftronger claim to a wreath from Britijh Gratitude I *
A
VOC ABU-
a
VO CABULARY
of the
PELEW LANGUAGE.
PELEW. ENGLIS
Arracat - - - - A man.
Artbeil - - - - A woman.
Nalakell - - A child.
Rupack ~ - - - A Chief, or title of rank.
Cattam - - - - A father.
Catheil - - A mother.
Morwakell - - A wife.
Ta/acoy - - - - A male infant.
Sucalic - - A friend.
Takelby - - - - A workman, or artificer*
Botbelutb - - - - The head.
Ungelcll m m m - The teeth.
Kimath
PELE W. E N G L I S II.
Kimath - - - - The arms.
Kalakalath - - The body.
ArraJJack - - Blood.
Oroofock - - - - Bones.
foot - - - - - A woman's breasts.
Cokeetb - - The thighs.
JY#y£ - - A dwelling-houfe.
- A public hall, or large houfe.
Morabalow - - A town.
Poderay - - - - Home, a man's dwelling.
STr/r - - A fpoon.
Oy/^/j- - - - - A knife.
Pewell - - A cup.
<5^/#// - - - - A bafon.
T^wr - - Plates, or clifhes.
Koluck - - Oil.
Aleuifs - - Cocoa-nuts.
Cocozv - - Yams.
Cqfall - - - - Turmeric.
Pc^ - - - - Beetle-nut.
Curra Curra - - Lemon.
- Plantains or bananas.
67^00 - - r Cabbage; /. e. the head of the cab-
bage-tree.
Eloutb - Mololfes.
» Outh •
PELEW. ENGLISH.
Outh - A torch *.
Katt - Smoke.
Karr - Fire.
Cat tow - - - A cat.
Pyaap - - - A rat.
Co&z// - - - An ifland.
Paathe ~ - - A rock.
Colocol - - - A fand, or fhoal, in the fea.
Cootoom - - - - Earth or land fit for cultivation.
Arrall - Frefh water.
Garagar - Wood ; /. g, trees.
Athagell - Bamboo.
Meyrooke - - - Rattans.
£,/7/r ----- Spears or darts.
^//?// - - A leaf of a tree, bufh, or plant.
Mailaeye - - - - A canoe, or boat.
Coybattle - A mall.
n?r/£ - - -A fail.
* As the torches at Pelew have been frequently mentioned, and by accident omitted in their proper place, I muft notice them here to defcribe them.—On being analyfed, they appear to be a Refin mixed with fmall pieces of wood. This Re fin is probably the exudation of fome tree; but it is uncertain, whether the wood is fmall bits of bark, which inevitably, in fcraping it off, mix with the Refin, or whether they are purpofcly joined with it to fupply the place of a wick, and render it lefs liable to run and diflblve haftily like a flick of wax. They have long leaves twined and tied round them, to prevent their flicking to the hand.—When lighted, they afford an agreeable fmcll.
9
Peeforfa
Peeforfe -
Difoma -
Beefakell
Gill - - -
Cray -
Qugutb
Poop - -
tfjoup
Neekell - - -Cumathuck Neekell Arool
Cojfacurra -Kerthough - - -
Kim -Kijfuruck -Aawell -Craabrutell - -Cockiyoou " '** Cyep -
Doothuck -
ENGLISH. A paddle, or oar.
The bottom piece of the out-rigger. The fhell ornaments of the canoes. A rope.
Small line, or cord. A fifhing-net.
Fifhing-pots, or bafkets, made of fplit
bamboo. The fea. —
Fife.
Fifh-fcales.
Skaite, or large flat-fifh.
The common cockle.
Ditto; the flutings of this cockle-fhell
are circular, not radiated. J Kima-cockle. The mother of pearl fhell. Turtle.
Cray-fifTi, or lobfter.
Birds.
Pigeons.
A fowl.
The tropic-bird.
Large bat, or flying-fox.
Niefe
PELEW.
ENGLISH.
Niefe
Bu/Jjook -Szveebuc -Mungeegy -Coyojs -
ails - -
Pooyer -Abbtbduk -Meeftxs - - -Tangle - - -Tabbath -Koyyoou
Katt akatt - -
- -
Kull akoyyoou -My oofoo k Coreowe - ■ Tbdrum -PaJJapaffoo -Efaw Cocoob -Offmethellaa - -Cotbaraa trioook -
- Eggs-
- Feathers, or quills.
- To fly.
- To fwim.
- The fun.
- To he fun-burnt, or bliftered.
- The moon.
- Stars.
- Seven liars, or Pleiades.
- Sky.
- Clouds.
- Wind.
- Fog, hazy or thick weather ; /. e.
literally fmoky.
- Rain.
- Wind and rain, a JqualL
- Little wind, or a calm.
- Lightning.
- Thunder.
- Repeated claps of thunder.
- Rainbow.
- Day.
- Mid-day, or noon.
- Afternoon, or evening.
3 B Cappafay
PELEW. ENGLISH.
Cappafay - - Night.
Olongkalla allakath - Day-light, or dawn.
Melgull - - Darknefs.
Peeleelurattle - Morning, or fun-rife.
Coteookell a coy ofs - - Sun-fet.
Colt ho coyofs - - Yefterday.
Mo gall - - Burning hot.
Macraffem - Cold.
Matbrabitb - *
Munga - - To eat.
Melim - - To drink.
Meetbinggifs - To he fatisfied with eating.
cthomor acocook - - Breakfaft.
JVeetacallell acoyofs - Dinner.
Comofoy - - - Supper.
Mijjeeowe. - To cook, to drefs victuals<
Mofbigough - ~ - To broil victuals.
Meeake - A fweetmeat made of almonds and
moloffe,s.
Sopqfflcp - - - - A fweetmeat made of a fmall root
like a turnip.
Kalpatt - - - - A fweet pudding made of boiled yam*
and moloffes. _
Woolell - - - - A fweetmeat made of fcraped cocoa-
nuts and moloffes.
i Matbingaa
PELEW, ENGLISH.
Matbingaa - - Mouldy.
Mokoot - Rotten.
Riamall - The wild bread-fruit.
Kuthull - - - The Jamboo apple.
Othough - - - - Beads.
Clootie - - - - To cough.
Ognofs - - - - To fneeze.
Suam pepak - - - To be pleafed, or glad.
Gurragur - To laugh.
Malill - - - - - To play, to toy.
Puckafoogel - - To deceive, to fpeak or act in joke,
or doubtfully.
Coothung - Wife, or cunning—as Coothung arra-
caty a wife man.
Thingaringer - - Foolifh, or a fool—as Thingaringer,
art bell, a foolifh woman. Motur - - - - To be angry. Merengell - To be in pain.
Ellmangle - To cry.
Adapat - - - - To lay down to fleep, /. e. to go to
reft.
Parr - - - - - A mat to fleep on.
Moopat - - - - To fleep.
Peekeeifs - - - To awake from fleep.
3 b 2, Morailt
Moraile Arramooroot Moo boo Cockamew -
Bomthocar -Amuno -
Bomgeeaye -Poreowe -Koomacarr
Lolocoy -Moraamaw -Arrab
Mora tney -Mathack -Qngeelatrecoy -
Mungou -
Kiboteleck -Kibotelem - -
ENGLISH.
To walk.
To run, or make hafte. To fall down.
To take care, /. e. not to flip or fall in walking.
To arife from where you are fitting, to move out of that place.
Come in, u e. come into a houfe, (an invitation or requeft.)
Sit down.
To ftoop down.
To exchange, to barter, to give one
thing for another. To talk.
To cheer, to huzza.
To call to a perfon at a diftance, as
halloo ! Come to me. Don't be afraid.
Means that a thing or bufinefs is well done.
To fetch, to bring fomething wanted.
The right fide. The left fide.
Annabookeeth
PELEW,
Annabookeeth
Ackmetback
Atalell
Aygaa
Kitra
Swallow -Calas Kiffeem -Sous
Carute -Mulakow -Malapall -
Mooreollow Mootteetur -Meeleemotb -
Morofoock
Mafaketh - • -Matheetby -Mara/am Bomgeetee Meeleekotuck
ENGLISH.
- To give any thing, to make a prefent.
- Thank you.
- What is the name ?
- This thing, or that thing.
- What is it called ?
- A mat bafket.
- A fmall ditto.
- An adze or hatchet, made of ftiell.
- Signifies a file made of filh-ikin.
- The drefs worn by the women.
- To wafti any thing, or themielves.
- To wafti or wipe the hand after eat-
ing.
- To clean, to fweep a room.
- - To work, or labour.
- - To throw water out of a boat or vef-
fel. .
- To beat, as with a hammer, or to
pound, as in a mortar.
- To reduce, to make lefs.
* - To enlarge, to make bigger.
- To repair, to mend any thing,
- To throw any thing away.
- To ftrike, to give a blow.
Ac la loo
Acialoo Mokamat Cocitatb Umkarr Vmkarra tills Matbee -Maath ey -Moraick Thoo
Moringell. -Macekatbe Melgoth -Prothotbuck
Clowe
Qwmuckell -Klckaray -Koomangle Cathep Me row Croyeeth -Jcmathe Peepack -Sola, Sola -
ENGLISH.
- To pilfer, to take any thing flrly.
- War, to fight.
- Fighting as children.
- Wounded.
- A wound made by a fpear.
- Killed.
- Dead.
- Sick.
- A bile or blotch.
- To be in pain from a bile or blotch.
- To itch.
- To tattoo or mark the body and limbs.
- Their wooden fword. See Plate II.
- Large.
- A thing of a middling fize.
- Small.
- Long.
- Short.
A meafure, anfwering to our fathom.
- A great diftance.
- A fhort diftance.
- A great many, abundance.
- Enough, plenty, generally fpoke twice; as Sola, Sola, enough, enough.
Moofefs
PELEW.
Moofefs -
Moofefs akoyyou •
Acta
Deak
Naak
Kow
Arrabeeta -
Oleeakeck
Oleeakem
Mungeet
Wed
Weel atrecoy Mogul/ -Omacarew Joomgtbcotooatb Joomgtb
Debufs Moraketh -
Maouth
Ago mey -
ENGLISH.
- Too much of any thing.
- Too high a wind.
- Yes.
- No.
- Me, myfelf.
- You.
- The other fide of any thing.
- High, or above.
- Low, or downwards.
- Not good.
- Good.
- Very good.
- Bad, or difpleafing.
- To turn or tack, as a fhip or boat. To caulk, or flop a leak.
- Their oakum, made of cocoa-nut
hulks.
- To defert or forfake a place or perfon.
- Means for a perfon to go before to
fome place.
- Means that you will follow and join
them.
- Means go away, or out of my fight,
being difpleafed with the perfon to whom it is fpoke.
Deakatick
Deakatick -
Ongeell Qui mey
Deegaa - t -Morakattow
Mey
Pojnray
Calakaa
Mayfackaranga th Ley mey MeemathiJJa MiJJak Mereacrick Myyufs -Lagooruth -Arree, Arree
Morru -Calem
ENGLISH.
- A diflike of what is offered you, or
declaration that you will not accept it.
- It will do, it is very well.
- Give me that thing near you, or in
your hand.
- I have not what is alked for.
- Go away, ft and alide, keep at a dif
tance.
- Come.
- To go away.
- Prefently.
- Give me that.
- Bring me that.
- Let me look at it.
- To look out, to efpy.
- To fearch, to look for a thing loft.
- To paddle a canoe.
- To paddle faft.
- Signifies to the men in tjie canoes to
exert themfelves,
- To hinder work, to impede it.
- To give a portion of provifion to each
Chief or family at a feaft.
Arrack
P E L E W.
Arrack -Meefoos
Meet hip
Moorookem - -
Melocketh -
Arrafook
Coreick
Kow/e
Kafs
Coteetow -
Meelemow
Koothoo -
Careereeack -
ctbeilmuck -
Tong
Oroo
Othey
Oang
Aeem
Ma long -
Oiveth
ENGLISH.
- To flop.
- To make obeifance, to floop to a
Chief.
- Broke like a flick or piece of wood,
purpofely.
- Broke like a piece of pottery or fhell,
falling to the ground, accidentally.
- Broke like a rope by tenfion.
- A white ftone.
- Red.*
- White.
- Black.
- Blue.
- Green.
- Yellow.
- Brown.
- Peace.
- One.
- Two.
- Three.
- Four.
- Five.
- Six.
- Seven.
3 C T'ei
37*
A VOQABUjLARY, 8cc.
Tit m >
Macho th - • Oloyuck f f Qckathey <*
Qciaiyaygh * f Qckeem - * Ockgollom - -Ockgweeth ~ Qckeye -Ockatuew -Mackoth adart
ENGLISH,
- Eight.
- Nine.
- Ten.
* Twenty*
- Thirty*
* Forty.
• Fifty* f $ixty*
• Seventy.
- Eighty*
- Ninety.
- A hundred*
FINIS.
errata.
e 36, line 9> for Englis read Englees.
57 — 12 — Kickary — Kickaray.
75 — 10 — Cummfnc — Cummin.
93 — *5 —■ soogell - Soogle.
149 — 16 — soogel — Soogle.
155 — 12 — cummino — Cummin.
227 — 13 —. crefent — crefcent.
*59 — 7 — for — from.
3°5 — 11 — a plenty — plenty.
\