This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 edition. Excerpt: ...nimble gentry; and as the captain had no mind to lose it, he applied with some energy, first to one, then to another, demanding its return. Among these, an old woman whose gifts of eloquence--or, at any rate, illimitable talk--had been conspicuous from the first, was exceedingly indignant at his ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 edition. Excerpt: ...nimble gentry; and as the captain had no mind to lose it, he applied with some energy, first to one, then to another, demanding its return. Among these, an old woman whose gifts of eloquence--or, at any rate, illimitable talk--had been conspicuous from the first, was exceedingly indignant at his conduct, telling him roundly, amid a profusion of words, that it was "mean" of him to make such a fuss about so trifling a thing. This was pretty good on the part of the old lady; but as she found that Cook cared nothing for her or her hard words--meanness, or no meanness, he was determined to have the tool back again--she concluded it was best to let him have his own way, took herself off, sent back the adze, and never came near him again. One knavish fellow was dubbed by the crew, " Customhouse Officer: " for his way was to help himself to fruit or roots out of his neighbours' canoes, taking them by force, if resisted, and then to sell them on his own account. But though stealing was all fair and proper for him, he did not, it appeared, think it fair or proper for his neighbours; for, one of them playing off the same trick upon him, he darted after the man, gave him a beating, and brought back, not his own things alone, but many of those belonging to his victim and his friends. That fellow had a nice idea of restitution, where others were concerned. Anamocka was left on the 29th; and, still sailing west, a very small island was discovered on the 1st of July. It was named Turtle Island, from the great number of those creatures seen upon it, of which, indeed, they appeared to have sole possession. On the 21st of July, after some baffling, stormy weather, the anchor was let go in eleven fathoms water, not more than two...
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