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Article TO THE READER. ← Page 6 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Reader.
their force to recover the vessel . These apprehensions were soon ; removed by Churchill , who remarked the impossibility of Captain Blig h ' s reaching Otaheite , or any ofthe adjoining islands , without their observing the launch ; notivithstanding , it was deemed advisable that ihe . y should all remain on their guard . As soon as they were in sight of Otaheite several of the natives
came off in canoes to learn the cause of their unexpected return . Christian told them that Captain Bligh had , to his great astonishment , discovered that Captain Cook was alive and at Whytutakee , and accordingly both he and his officers were determined ' to remain there with him . The news accordingly spread , but the story created much surprise .
Notwithstanding Christian displayed so much cunning and artifice in the execution of his plan , he was certainly deficient in this respect . The story he told bad every appearance- of a deception , and must certainly in the course of time be discovered . By affirming that Captain Cook was alive he naturally excited a curiosity among . those people to see him ; aud as they had so often heard before that he was deadundoubtedl y he exposed himself to suspicion . Plad Christian
, declared that Captain Bligh and his officers had gone in the launch to make some discovery , and being overset had perished , the story , being probable , would certainly have been believed , particularly by people inclined to credulity . But Christian was unwilling to insinuate that any thing had happened to the captain , knowing how well he was beloved by the chiefs of this island , for fear the misfortune
mig ht be attributed to him , and his supposed death resented . He was likewise unwilling to place too much confidence in the natives , for fear they might take any advantage and show an inclination to plunder . Tinah and Poeeno , two chiefs remarkably attached to Captain Bligh , immediately hastened on board the Bounty . They were
soon followed by others , who were equally surprised at meeting with their old friends ; but Tinah and Poeeno alternately enquired the meaning that Captain Bligh sent them back ; why , also , he did not come with them , and bring Captain Cook whom they maintained so great a regard for ? To these questions Christian made but very sony answers , and with lame equivocations evaded others .
Thc chiefs understanding that these were come to settle with them , immediately began , according to custom , to choose each his friend , which they call a Tyo . Their notions of friendship are , indeed , very extraordinary . When a person becomes a Tyo to any one , it is expected of that person that he will cherish his friend ' s wife , the neglect of which will otherwise occasion muchcoolness and indifference . They arehoweverexceedingly faithful to their friendsfor they would
shud-, , , der at the thoughts of betraying them . They are likewise ready to supply their wants even to their own injury ; , and when those who have Tyos die without issue , their titles and estates , agreeable to the law of Tyoship , devolve to their chosen friends , with whom , according to custom , they change names at the time their friendships are contracted .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Reader.
their force to recover the vessel . These apprehensions were soon ; removed by Churchill , who remarked the impossibility of Captain Blig h ' s reaching Otaheite , or any ofthe adjoining islands , without their observing the launch ; notivithstanding , it was deemed advisable that ihe . y should all remain on their guard . As soon as they were in sight of Otaheite several of the natives
came off in canoes to learn the cause of their unexpected return . Christian told them that Captain Bligh had , to his great astonishment , discovered that Captain Cook was alive and at Whytutakee , and accordingly both he and his officers were determined ' to remain there with him . The news accordingly spread , but the story created much surprise .
Notwithstanding Christian displayed so much cunning and artifice in the execution of his plan , he was certainly deficient in this respect . The story he told bad every appearance- of a deception , and must certainly in the course of time be discovered . By affirming that Captain Cook was alive he naturally excited a curiosity among . those people to see him ; aud as they had so often heard before that he was deadundoubtedl y he exposed himself to suspicion . Plad Christian
, declared that Captain Bligh and his officers had gone in the launch to make some discovery , and being overset had perished , the story , being probable , would certainly have been believed , particularly by people inclined to credulity . But Christian was unwilling to insinuate that any thing had happened to the captain , knowing how well he was beloved by the chiefs of this island , for fear the misfortune
mig ht be attributed to him , and his supposed death resented . He was likewise unwilling to place too much confidence in the natives , for fear they might take any advantage and show an inclination to plunder . Tinah and Poeeno , two chiefs remarkably attached to Captain Bligh , immediately hastened on board the Bounty . They were
soon followed by others , who were equally surprised at meeting with their old friends ; but Tinah and Poeeno alternately enquired the meaning that Captain Bligh sent them back ; why , also , he did not come with them , and bring Captain Cook whom they maintained so great a regard for ? To these questions Christian made but very sony answers , and with lame equivocations evaded others .
Thc chiefs understanding that these were come to settle with them , immediately began , according to custom , to choose each his friend , which they call a Tyo . Their notions of friendship are , indeed , very extraordinary . When a person becomes a Tyo to any one , it is expected of that person that he will cherish his friend ' s wife , the neglect of which will otherwise occasion muchcoolness and indifference . They arehoweverexceedingly faithful to their friendsfor they would
shud-, , , der at the thoughts of betraying them . They are likewise ready to supply their wants even to their own injury ; , and when those who have Tyos die without issue , their titles and estates , agreeable to the law of Tyoship , devolve to their chosen friends , with whom , according to custom , they change names at the time their friendships are contracted .