30 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



he returned in much agitation, to acquaint Mr. Banks 

 that the ship's butcher had threatened to cut his wife's 

 throat, upon her refusing to sell him a stone hatchet, which 

 he had taken a fancy to, for a nail. It clearly appeared 

 he had been culpable, and he was flogged on board, in sight 

 of several Indians. As soon as the first stroke was given 

 they interfered, and earnestly entreated that he might be 

 untied. This being refused, they burst into tears, and 

 showed great concern. 



During the forenoon of this day, canoes were continually 

 coming in, and the tents at the fort were filled with people 

 of both sexes. Mr. Molineux, master of the Endeavour, 

 went on shore, and as he had visited the island on a previous 

 voyage, he was the first to recognize and point out Oberea, 

 the queen of the island. 



Every one was now anxious to see her who had made so 

 distinguished a figure in the accounts that had been given 

 by the first discoverers of this island. Queen Oberea was 

 now about forty years of age ; her figure was large and 

 tall ; her skin white ; her eyes had great expression ; she 

 had been handsome, but her beauty was now upon the 

 decline. She was soon conducted to the ship, and went 

 on board with some of her family. Many presents were 

 made to her, particularly a child's doll, which seemed the 

 most to engross her attention. Captain Cook accompanied 

 her on shore ; and as soon as they landed, she presented him 

 with a hog, and some plantains, which were -carried to the 

 fort in procession, Oberea and the captain bringing up the 

 rear. They met Tootahah, who, though not king, seemed to 

 be at this time invested with sovereign authority. He 

 immediately became jealous of the queen's having the doll ; 

 which made them feel it necessary to compliment him with 

 one also. 



The next day, Sunday the 30th, Tomio came running to 

 the tents, and taking Mr. Banks by the arm (to whom they 

 applied in all emergent cases), told him that Tubora 

 Tumaida was dying, owing to something which had been 

 given him to eat by the sailors, and prayed him to go 

 instantly to him. Mr. Banks found the Indian very sick. 

 He was told that he had been vomiting, and had thrown 

 up a leaf, which they said contained some of the poison 

 he had taken. Upon examining the leaf, Mr. Banks 

 found it to be nothing more than tobacco, which the Indian 

 had begged of some of their people. Mr. Banks, now 

 knowing his disorder, ordered him to drink cocoa-nut milk, 

 which soon restored him to health ; and he was as cheerful 

 as ever. 



On the 1st of May. a chief, who had dined on board a 



