May 1, 1789 Home Logbook May 3, 1789
Revised Jun 30 2021
Stormy Wr. wind ESE.
It had hitherto been a weighty consideration with me how I was to account to the Natives for the loss of my Ship. I knew they had too much good sense to be amused with a story that the Ship was to join me, when they all knew from the Hills she was not in sight. It therefore rested whether I was to tell the real fact, or that the ship had overset and sunk and that only us were Saved. The latter appeared to me the most proper and advantagious to us. As I expected, inquiries were made after the ship and they seemed readily satisfyed with our Account, but there did not apear the least mark of Joy or sorrow in their Faces, altho I fancied I discovered some signs of surprize. Some or other were coming and going the whole afternoon, and we got enough Breadfruit, Plantains and Cocoanutts for to morrow, but water they only brought us about 5 pints. A Cannoe also came in with four Men and brought a few Breadfruit, those I bought also for Buttons and Beads. Nails were much enquired after but I would not suffer one to be shown as I wanted them for the use of the Boat.
Towards Evening I saw with peculiar pleasure that we had encreased our Stock of provisions, and that at Sun down the Natives left us in quiet possession of the Cove. I thought this a good Sign and made no doubt that they would come again with a larger proportion of Food and water with which I hoped to sail without any farther delay, and that then In case in my attempt to get to Amsterdam I should be blown away from the Islands altogether, I should have a larger quantity of provisions to support me against so heavy a Calamity.
At night I served ¼ of a Breadfruit and a Cocoanutt to each person for Super and having made a good fire all those but the watch went to sleep.
At day break I was happy to find every ones Spirits a little revived and saw not those anxious looks towards me for what was best to be done, as they have been since we left the ship, but every countenance appeared to have a degree of chearfullness and manfully looked Forward to do their best. As I now only doubted of water being brought to me a party set off among the Gullies in the mountain with Empty Shells to see what they could get, and in their absence the Natives came about us as I expected and more numerous: also two Cannoes came in from round the north side of the Island in one of which was an elderly Cheif called Maccaackavow. Soon after a good looking Cheif came down with some of our Party who were out forraging, called Eegijeefow or perhaps more properly Eefow, Eegij or Eghee signifying a Cheif. To both these men I made a present of an old shirt and a Knife, and I soon found they either saw me or had heard of my being at Anamoka. They also knew I had been with Captn. Cook who they enquired after and also Captn. Clerk. How I had lost my ship was a particular enquiry during which a young man appeared, who I remembered to have seen at Anamoka called Nageetee, and took a part in the Conversation expressing much pleasure at seeing me. I now enquired after Paulehow and Feenow who they said were at Amsterdam, and Eefow agreed to accompany me there, if I would wait untill the weather moderated. The readyness and affability of this Man gave me a high opinion of him.
The Natives began to encrease in their number and I observed some symptoms of a design against us, and soon after they they [sic] attempted to haul the Boat on shore: I therefore flew to Eefow with a Cutlass in my hand, when he with the other Cheif called out to leave off and every thing became quiet again.
My People who had been in the mountains now returned with about 3 Gallons of water and I kept buying up the Breadfruit and other things that were brought to us, as likewise some Spears to Arm some of my Men with, as I had only 4 Cutlasses two of which were in the Boat. As our Situation could be no worse, I told every one I would wait untill Sun down, that by that time perhaps something might turn in our favor, and they might be induced to leave us as they had done before. That if we attempted to go at present we must fight our way through which we could do more advantageously at Night, and that in the mean time we would endeavor to get off to the Boat what we had bought. The Beach was now lined with the Natives, and we heard nothing but the knocking of Stones together which they had in each hand, which I knew very well would be the method of Attack. It being now Noon I served a Cocoanutt and a Breadfruit to each person for Dinner, and gave some to the Cheifs who I continued to be intimate & friendly with. They were always anxious for me to sit down, but I as constantly refused for it occurred both to Mr Nelson and myself that by that means they intended to seize hold of me. My keeping therefore constantly on my Guard and those about me, we eat our miserable dinner in some quietness.
May 1, 1789 Home Logbook May 3, 1789