Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the chiefs. On this second visit Cook learned more about the political
rivalries and social customs of the people. He came to the conclusion
that the Tahitians had a different set of moral values from Europeans
and that one should not, therefore, condemn them for stealing or
for indulging in casual sexual relationships. However, this did not
prevent him dealing summarily with young men caught thieving on
board. They were tied to the mainmast, flogged and flung into the
sea. Such punishment seemed to be accepted by the islanders, not as
just retribution for wrongdoing, but as the penalty for being caught.
When the ships departed on 17 September, laden with meat, fruit
and vegetables, Cook was satisfied that a rough and ready under-
standing had been established between the Tahitians and the sub-
jects of His Britannic Majesty.
Now that the charts of the area to the north-east of the Great
Barrier Reef were well filled with islands, more or less accurately
located, a navigator could plot his course with more confidence than
would have been possible a few decades before. Cook decided that
he had time to visit the beautiful Tonga Islands before returning to
New Zealand. It was a decision he had cause to regret. When his
ships reached New Zealand waters in late October they ran into fero-
cious gales that prevented them reaching a sheltered harbour. It was
3 November before
Resolution
limped into Queen Charlotte Sound
with tattered sails and a splintered fore topgallant mast. There was
no sign of the
Adventure
and she did not reappear.
Cook waited as long as he could but with the spring well ad-
vanced and the Antarctic beckoning he would not delay more than
a few days after his ship had been thoroughly overhauled. Leaving
a message for the
Adventure
's captain in a buried bottle beneath a
marked tree, he put to sea on 25 November. Five days later the con-
sort reached the rendezvous, badly battered by the storms. Cook's
instructions were read and the captain swiftly set in hand repairs
and revictualling, with every intention of following
Resolution
as
