An Old Story.

Manawatu Herald, 16 May 1893, Page 3

An Old Story.

(Continued.) The ships sailed from the Sonnd on the 28th February, having on board Oraai and the two New Zealanders. After travelling to various islands, of. which we shall give a few notes later on, the ships arrived at Huahene, one of the Friendly Isles, we believe. This was Omai's old home. and here Captain Cook determined to leave him, though very much against his will. The Captain secured a portion of land for Omai upon this island and sent the carpenters of the ships to build him a fair sized house, with stable and out-offices, appendages new, and as the quaint chronicler says, hitherto unnecessary in this country. Men wero also sent to dig up the grbund and plant the fruit and other ! trees l ; a n'd seeds^ brought. When all was complete, the furniture and; effects unpacked and. placed in the house, Omai was given possession, and, to impress upon the chiefs the friendship of Great Britain to Omai, the captains went and dined with him, The ships boasted of a band consisting ot drums, trumpets, bagpipes^ hautboys, flutes and violins, and this was played whilst dinner was getting ready. Omai was- also presented with horses and cattle, sheep and goats, geese, turkeys and ducks. Still Omai was in dread, he feared that:,. when it was found his power of presents was at an end, his .neighbors would attach to their own use all that was his' and' leave him poor and hiiserable/ Some one had a down upon him and showed it very plainly. It was a native who had been used very badly by the ships for stealing, and Omai was present when theipunishment was. inflicted; This gentleman one night, appar.ently ' with' companions* rooted up and destroyed his plantations and set his stock loose. Captain Cook made the damage good' and ■ threatened to devastate this island if Omai was molested again: The man was caught but 1 refused to imperil any others. He was put in irens, but, / curiously the . night • before. •' his punishment, mysteriously escaped. Omai on the 3rd Novembers 1777, tobk : a most affectionate leave, of Cook; With Omai were leit the two New Zealand boys! 3 .They' had learnt to sneak i English and i were very loath to leave the ships: <> As the vessels were ordered to a discovery in the North, Captain Cook could' not see his way to taking them further, the boys cried bitterly at being ordered on shore, and' appeared to lay their misfortunes on Omai's shoulders<as there arose a scene between him and the boys, which ■, had not the officers on the quarterdeck interposed, might have ended unfortunately for Omai. . It is said, that the boys refused- to quit the ship, till they were compelled by force, which was no easy matter, the eldest now near sixteen, being of an athletic make, and of prodigious strength; and the youngest about eleven, being likewise a giant for his age, were not easily managed. The last heard of poor Omai was on the 7th December when Captain Cook was atUlietea, when a messenger arrived from that person to say matters wore progressing, very, satisfactorily except that his goat had died, and, requesting another in its place and two more axes. Thede were sent him. ; • .: „ (To be continued.) v