CHAPTER V 



THE FRIENDLY ISLANDS 



After a fortnight's sailing Cook arrived in 

 sight of a delightful island, upon which, at the 

 foot of little wooded hills, lay spread a plain 

 which displayed an extraordinary fertility. It 

 was the island of Middelburg, discovered by 

 Tasman, and called by the natives Eaoowee. 



While the Captain sought a suitable place for 

 landing, some canoes, each manned by one or two 

 Indians, came out fearlessly towards the ships. 

 A native boarded the Resolution, holding in his 

 hand a root of a stimulating pepper-plant, and 

 as a token of friendship rubbed the noses of 

 Cook and all those on deck with this root. He 

 then sat down quietly and remained plunged in 

 deep silence. 



Other natives, among them their chief Tioony, 

 also climbed on board, and displayed the most 

 friendly and peaceful intentions, which were of 

 good augury of the dispositions of these people 

 towards strangers. In fact, as soon as the ships 

 cast anchor they were surrounded by a fleet of 

 canoes full of Indians, who brought cloth and 

 various articles, which they bartered for nails 



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