Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/427

Sept. 1770.] been under the direction of the Dutch, which is about 10 Years. He is allowed 50 Slaves (Natives of the Island) to attend upon him. These belong to, and are Maintained by, the Company. He goes the Circuit of the Island once in 2 Months; but on what account he did not tell us. When he makes these rounds he carries with him a certain quantity of Spirit to treat the great men with, which, he says, he is obliged to look well after, otherwise they would steal it and get drunk; and yet, at another time, he told us that he never knew a theft committed in the Island; but some of the Natives themselves contradicted him in this by stealing from us an Axe. However, from their behaviour to us in general I am of opinion that they are but seldom guilty of these Crimes. This going round the Island once in Two Months is most likely to see that the Natives make the necessary preparations for fulfilling their engagements with the Dutch, and to see that the Large Boats or small Vessels are taken proper care of, which the Dutch keep in all the Bays of this Island in order to collect and carry the grain, etc., to the Ship which comes Annually here. They are likewise employed in carrying cattle, grain, etc. to Timor; and, when not wanted, they are hauled aShore into Houses or Sheds built on purpose. As I have mentioned Slaves, it is necessary to observe that all the great men have Slaves which are the Natives of the Island. They can dispose of them one to another, but cannot sell them to go out of the Island. The price of a Slave is a good, large, fatt Hogg, Horse, etc. I have before mentioned that many of the people can speak Portuguese, but hardly any one Dutch. From this it is probable that this Island was formerly under the Jurisdiction of the Portuguese, tho' the Dutch Government never own'd as much, but said that the Dutch had Traded here these hundred years past.

Saturday, 22nd.—Winds at S.S.E., S.E., and E.; a gentle breeze, which we steer'd W.S.W. by Compass. At 4 o'Clock we discover'd a small low Island bearing S.S.W., distant 3 Leagues. The Island hath no place in any of our Charts: Lat. 10° 47′ S., Long, 238° 28′ W. At Noon we were in the Latitude of 11° 9′ S., Long. 239° 26′ W Course and distance sail'd since yesterday noon, S. 63 W., 67 miles.

Sunday, 23rd.—Winds Easterly; a moderate breeze, which by noon brought us into the Latitude of 11° 10′ S., Long. 240° 48′ W. Course and distance saild since yesterday at noon is W., 8 miles.

Monday, 24th.—Winds at E. and S.E.; a moderate breeze, and fine, pleasant weather. In the evening found the Variation to be