Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0142
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 142]
138.
Totara nue
neighbours the other said that they had also met a double canoe whose people told them that they had yesterday eat a child some of whose bones they sold them from hence many of our gentlemen were led to conclude that thefts of this Kind are frequent among these Indians for my own part this story in my opinion throws very little light upon the subject as I am inclind to beleive that our two boats who went out at very different times in the morn both in the same direction one only farther than the other saw one & the same canoe & only differently interpreted the conversation of the people as they know only a few words of the language & eating people is now always the uppermost Idea in their heads this however I must say that when such families have come off to the ship even with an intention to fight with us they have very often brought Women & young children in arms as if they were afraid to leave them behind
5. Ship employd in Warping herself into a better berth for sailing When after the anchor was carried out a fortunate Eddy wind blew her into it Our Old Man Topaa was on board of whoom Tupia askd many questions concerning the Land &c. his answers were nearly as follows "that the streights which we had seen