26 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



any cocoa-nut trees, though the Endeavour approached 

 within half a mile of the shore ; yet the land appeared to be 

 covered with verdure of various tinges. This island the 

 officers on board named Thrumb Cap. 



On the 10th, upon their looking out for the island to 

 which they were destined, they saw land ahead. The next 

 morning it appeared very high and mountainous, and it was 

 known to be King George III.'s Island, so named by Captain 

 Wallis, but by the natives called Otaheite. The calms pre- 

 vented the Endeavour from approaching it till the morning 

 of the 12th, when a breeze springing up, several canoes were 

 making towards the ship. Each canoe had in it young 

 plantains, and branches of trees, as tokens of peace and 

 friendship ; and they were handed up the sides of the ship 

 by the people in one of the canoes, who made signals in a 

 very expressive manner, intimating that they desired these 

 emblems of pacification should be placed in a conspicuous 

 part of the ship ; and they were accordingly stuck amongst 

 the rigging, at which they testified their approbation. Their 

 cargoes consisted of cocoa-nuts, bananas, bread-fruit, 

 apples, and figs, which were very acceptable to the crew, 

 and were readily purchased. 



On the morning of the 13th the Endeavour entered Port 

 Royal harbour, in the island of Otaheite, and anchored 

 within half a mile of the shore. A great number of the 

 natives immediately came off in their canoes, and bartered 

 their commodities for beads and other trinkets. 



An elderly man, named Owhaw, who was known to Mr. 

 Gore and others, who had visited this island with Captain 

 Wallis, came on board ; and as he was considered a useful 

 man, the captain endeavoured to gratify all his inquiries. 

 Captain Cook now drew up several necessary rules for the 

 regulation of traffic with the inhabitants, and ordered that 

 they should be strictly observed. 



When the ship was properly secured, the captain went on 

 shore with Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, a party under arms, 

 and their friend the old Indian. They were received on 

 shore by some hundreds of the natives, who were struck with 

 such awe, that the first who approached crept almost upon 

 his hands and knees. He also presented to them branches 

 of trees, the usual symbol of peace. This symbol was re- 

 ceived, on the part of the English party, with demon- 

 strations of satisfaction and friendship. 



They were conducted by the old Indian, accompanied by 

 his countrymen, towards the place where the Dolphin had 

 watered. Here, the ground being cleared, the chiefs of the 

 natives threw down their boughs, and the captain and his 

 companions followed the example, after having drawn up 



