Nov 26, 1788 Home Logbook Nov 28, 1788
Revised Jun 29 2021
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Strong Breezes and Cloudy Wr. the first part of the latter fair Wr. and not so much swell in the Bay. Wind nearly at East and the Thermr. from 80 to 83. One Man in the sick list. Received a plentifull supply as yesterday. Employed Tarring the yards, salting Pork and cleaning ship. Sent the Main Topsail on shore to be repaired. Shifted 13 Plants more which makes 239. Only one of the Plants was found realy dead, the others shooting at the Roots, but they looked so bad we thought it not advisable to trust them any longer.
This afternoon a Cannoe arrived from Ulietea with a Cheif of that Island and Huaheine called Terreetareeah, who is Nephew to Oberreeroah. He brought with him a Sheep, which the people of this place no sooner were acquainted with than they came to tell me of the circumstance, and I immediatly set off in quest of it. Fore sometime I was doubtfull of the truth of the account, but at last I found the poor animal tyed to the side of the House where the master of it was feasting with some Ereeoys. It was infected with the mange and mere skin and bones, which might in some degree be occasioned by being carried about in the Cannoes. The Climate however had not changed its fleece, for notwithstanding the disease it was, except a part about the shoulder, well covered with wool, from which I conclude it to be the English Ewe left by Captn. Cook. The Horns were large. I now made particular enquiries whether Terreetareeah had any more, and altho from all former accounts I was convinced there were none but at Imeo, yet he asserted there were ten at Huaheine: At all events I determined to buy this and I was surprized that at one word I got it for a small Toey and took it away with me to Poeenos House, at the same time
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offering a great price for any others that they would bring to me.
If the Breed of these animals are established at any of the Islands it will be a fortunate circumstance, and I hope to know with certainty before I leave them, but little of what the Natives say about the Cattle is to be relied on.
I enquired again after Omai and the two New Zeland youths, and the accounts concerning them differed not materially with those I have already given; but I cannot get any person to bring Coah (who is alive and well) to me, or acquaint him that I am here.
Two small Orange plants and a Fig tree I planted at Poeenos are in a flourishing state, and as I found a fine shaddock Tree that was planted by Captn. Cook near the middle of the Bay, I desired Mr Nelson to cut slips and carry them with me to Poeenos, where are also sown a variety of fruit stones and Pips, besides Indian Corn.
At this place I saw the process of making Mahie. The Bread fruit is well cleared of the outer coat of the Rind and cut into quarters, and a pit about a foot deep is dug in the ground, which being covered with broad leaves so as to make a secure lining, the Breadfruit is put into it. With this about a tenth part of Ripe fruit (for the other was not so) is mixt, and the whole being rounded up to a heap, it is covered over with the like leaves upon which is laid a number of stones. In this state I was told it was only necessary for it to remain about three Weeks and the Cores being then taken away it would be fit for use at this period it is a thick straw coloured paste and is taken out as it is wanted, made up into small Rolls in the leaves of the Tree and baked. It acquires an acid taste, but is an agreeable and refreshing food, altho it is not every one who likes it at first. That the leaves may more effectually keep the Mahie together they are formed into large roses and stitched through the middle with tough Grass or any thing that will answer the purpose that is near them. The Ripe fruit seems to be applied to ferment the rest.
Nov 26, 1788 Home Logbook Nov 28, 1788