The Endeavour

April 14, 1769

I begin this log in the tradition of my captain and to record my new command. I am the second officer aboard the Endeavour and have been charged with the building of a permanent fort on the island the natives call Otaheite. The captain, with astronomic and timely inference, named the project Fort Venus. 

The natives seem friendly after initial trepidation. They must have thought we were invading when our boats came ashore but that tense moment was handled brilliantly by the captain. He managed to convey the message that the chief’s enemies are his enemies by jabbing his sword in the air. Our fears took longer to subside. 

We were not the first ship to sail to this island. We were briefed about Captain Wallis and the Dolphin. Just two years ago, the natives were not so welcoming and attacked the ship by throwing rocks. Guns and cannons eventually pacified the natives. To make sure, Captain Wallis had their canoes destroyed. It explains why there are so many more native women than men on the island.

As so many of the African natives I have seen, they are without humility and nearly naked. They are dark-skinned but not nearly as dark as the Africans and their facial features are more European. In fact, they are quite attractive. The crew has been affected by the native women and their exposed breasts. Restraining the crew will be difficult. We had been at sea for eight months. Restraining myself is without question as an officer.

April 15, 1769

We spent the day searching along the shores of the island for a good location to build. Our priorities are that it is accessible from the sea, that it is defendable and that there is building materials nearby. The captain assigned me the double duty of escorting Mr. Banks, the botanist. During the voyage, I tried to avoid the crude and drunken Mr. Banks and this day proved to be even more of an inconvenience. Although it was good to see the botanist excited with something to do, he slowed our progress considerably. He was a different man with his feet on the ground but no less annoying. He did point out why most of the trees would be unacceptable for our needs. 

Along our way, the native children followed and mimicked and giggled. The real distraction was the young women who flirted just beyond our reach but not beyond our attention. I had to keep the crew in a close group around the itinerant botanist. Many of the crew made feeble efforts to escape our company for that of the native girls. The day was fruitless and the effort was futile. We set up camp for the night and I established a guard, not to keep the natives away but to keep the crew from wandering.

April 16, 1769

Late in the day, we came across a reasonable location. It was the windward side of the island and more weather beaten than we had seen in this lush tropical forest but the wood was stronger and the point of land had our backs to the sea. It was also a day’s walk from the native village and that had become a concern. The natives had abandoned us so far away from their home. We began to set up a temporary camp where the fort would be built around us. There was no port but a ship could get fairly close to shore on one side of the reef. I decided to notify the captain that I had found a suitable location but I knew that I had not explored the whole island yet. Tomorrow, we will walk back to the village and the ship.

April 19, 1769

The captain took faith in my judgement with very few questions. I am disappointed that the ship will remain anchored off the village while we begin construction. The captain plans to depart and explore the nearby islands as soon as possible, leaving myself and a small contingent behind. Although he hasn’t said anything specifically, I suspect the captain shares my concern about fraternizing with the native girls. The captain may not have a proud lineage but he has proven to be an excellent officer and proper English gentleman. He would not likely be completely unaware of the crew’s behaviour but he might place too much faith in them. The crewmen simply take advantage of the situation and cannot be faulted. They have neither the breeding nor the discipline to resist their base urges. As an officer, it will be my responsibility to maintain control of the crew and demonstrate by my own example.

April 20, 1769

A feast from our hosts brought the opportunity to express our plans. The captain conveyed our intentions by drawing in the sand with a stick and making exaggerated gestures. He said that we would need a home if we were to be their allies. Earlier, he had given the crew orders that we were give every impression that we were there to stay, as neighbours. The captain also conveyed that we would like to train a translator among their people by teaching them our language. Then, the captain informed me that I would be obliged to teach their chosen translator. I respectfully offered that Mr. Banks is the scholar and would be a better choice. The captain insisted that Mr. Banks is not a naval officer and that he will be occupied. I accepted my additional duties with no further argument. He also suggested that I make an effort to learn their language while I teach ours. My duties were beginning to weigh upon me.

The feast lasted for hours and throughout, their idea of entertainment continued. At first, the dancers were more formal and dressed elaborately and colourfully but it deteriorated into a frenzy of pounding drums and naked breasts. I was appalled at the debauchery of it all. Nearly naked girls gyrating and flirting to the pounding drums. In some sort of fertility ritual, a man and woman feigned having sex on the ground. The crewmen were straining against their lecherous natures and joined the dance. It was humorous to watch them mimic the native dance but I maintained my attention to guard their discretion. 

There was one particular girl that caught my attention. She would be considered beautiful on any continent. Smooth skin, full firm bosoms and taut abdominal muscles and the way she moved her hips, it was hypnotic with no pun intended. It was her face that captured me. Luminescent green eyes framed by raven-black hair and lips that seemed to be permanently puckered. She was exotic and erotic but she smiled with all the unguarded innocence of a child. She was certainly not a child. She was the epitome of the feminine form but a smaller, more compact version. What little clothing she wore left just enough to the imagination. Apparently, my own eyes caught hers and she invited me to dance. Naturally, I refused. I looked over to see the angry expressions of both the captain and the chief. I began to understand that the chief was offended that I didn’t accept their heathen generosity.

April 22 1769

I led a crew of a dozen and a botanist back to the village. We would be taking the boats to the location of the fort but we first needed to acquire our new student of English. Frankly, I was disappointed that the captain didn’t relocate the ship, at least temporarily. My task becomes more formidable every day but I will perform my duty proudly. 

I met the native chief, who seemed to be still holding a grudge about the declined hospitality, and he gestured toward his choice for translator. It took all my decorum to not object. He had chosen the same girl that had asked me to dance. I wasn’t expecting a girl, especially not her. Of course, the crew were happy to see her joining us. 

While rowing to the location, my mind raced with thoughts about how much time I must spend with her and how to keep the crew from teaching her more than proper English. My head ached but I kept my eyes on the horizon and the crew. Only the occasional sideways glance kept me aware that the girl had her eyes on me. I could almost feel her staring at the back of my head, desperately seeking my approval. She would not get it. I had no ill will toward her personally but my position requires that I remain aloof. It is not her fault that she was chosen or even that she is so beautiful but my duties can only be compromised.

That night brought a storm and the men and I huddled under the overturned boats on the shore. Although the girl wanted to join us, I pointed her toward the trees and had some of the crew assemble a rough shod shelter out of driftwood and branches. She shivered in the rain and cold all night. I know because I didn‘t sleep either.

April 23, 1769

It was either the reddest sunrise I had ever seen or I was just looking through bloodshot eyes. The clouds sailed away and I ordered the men to build temporary shelters until a barracks can be started. The axes slammed into the trees all day while other crew members strapped wood and canvas together. Everyone worked hard, taking turns hauling and chopping. Nobody wanted to spend another night like that. I led by example and even Mr. Banks postponed his wandering to help as much as he was possible. Not exactly suitable chores for a gentleman and definitely not in his experience but he made an admirable effort. 

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, the girl was quite a talented thatcher. Work was still not enough distraction for most of the crew and they leered at her . Even my own self-discipline was tested by her considerable charms and I felt obliged to hide them. I offered her an old shirt and a pair of baggy ragged pants that I brought along for work like today’s. She accepted them gratefully and was marvelled at the gift of civilization. Fortunately, they fit her like a tent but I wish she had waited to change into them until I had turned my back. By nightfall, we had one large and one small shelter. They were ugly patchworks of rubble and canvas but they will serve.

April 25, 1769

Mr. Banks and myself had shared the small shelter. It was a tortuous night. I find it hard to fathom how such a well-bred man can be so common. He was almost drooling as he talked about the native girls and took no notice of my disapproval. I was tempted to confront him as he described our female companion in detail but at least one of us must remain a gentleman. Even in sleep, he could not remain quiet. I found myself with plenty of time to think about who are the real barbarians and questioning if the English are truly the superior race. Meanwhile, the girl was sleeping just a few feet away under the boat and only a scrap of canvas separated us. What kind of language could she be learning from our good botanist?

Daylight brought a return to some semblance of normalcy and sanity. I ordered half of the crew to begin assembling materials to build barracks and the other half to forage for food. I asked Mr. Banks to lead and advise the latter. I ordered the latter to keep an eye on him and to go in the opposite direction of the village. Turned out that half the village came to us. They were curious about our project and were amused at our ramshackle huts. I had learned from the captain and made exaggerated gestures trying to describe the plans and European architecture. I received plenty of puzzled expressions. It seemed like an opportune time to begin English lessons and I had an eager class of children along with the girl. I just picked out objects and had them repeat the words. Then, I taught them my name and learned some of theirs. Her name is Hinano.