The Kip Brothers - Jules Verne Early Classics of Science Fiction

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the sacrifice.”

      “And what attitude are you going to take?” asked the shipowner in a pleasant tone. “That of the sailor departing or of the sailor arriving? Will it be the commander’s posture, his arm extended toward the horizon, his hand holding the sextant or the telescope, or the pose of the master second only to God?”

      “Either one you want, Hawkins.”

      “And then, while you’re posing in front of our camera, try to think of something! That gives more expression to your face! What will you be thinking about?”

      “I’ll be thinking of my dear wife,” answered Mr. Gibson, “of my son … and of you … my friend.”

      “So, we’d have a magnificent print.”

      Nat Gibson owned one of those portable cameras, top of the line, that produce the negative in a few seconds. Mr. Gibson’s photo was very successful, so it seems, according to what his son said when he had examined the negative, and the print would be left in the care of Mr. Balfour.16

      Mr. Hawkins, the captain, and Nat then left the office in order to buy everything needed for a voyage of nine or ten weeks. Warehouses are not scarce in Wellington, and one can find diverse maritime supplies: foodstuffs, sea instruments, tackle, pulleys, ropes, spare sails, fishing equipment, barrels of grease and tar, caulking and carpenter’s tools. But except for replacing a few ropes and chains, the needs of the brig were limited to that of food for the passengers and crew. This was quickly bought, paid for, then sent to the James Cook, as soon as the sailors Wickley and Hobbes and the head cook had arrived.

      At the same time, Mr. Gibson completed the formalities that are obligatory for every ship upon entry and departure. Therefore, nothing would prevent the brig from weighing anchor, more fortunate than several other ships of commerce whose crew desertions held them in port at Wellington.

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      Maoris (photo: J. Valentine & Sons, Dundee)

      During his trips across the city, in the midst of a very busy populace, Mr. Hawkins and his companions met a certain number of Maoris from the surrounding region.17 Their numerical importance has diminished greatly in New Zealand, like Australians in Australia, and above all Tasmanians in Tasmania, since the last specimens of this latter race have practically disappeared.

      They number today but some forty natives on the northern island and scarcely two thousand on the southern one. These Maoris keep busy mostly with market gardening, principally with the cultivation of fruit trees, whose products are very abundant and of excellent quality.

      The men are a handsome sort and boast an energetic character and a constitution that is both robust and healthy. In comparison, the women seem inferior. In any case, one must get used to seeing this “weaker” sex walk the streets, pipe in mouth and smoking more than the “strong” sex. It is also not surprising that the exchange of civilities with Maori women is very difficult since, according to custom, it is not just a question of saying “hello” or of shaking hands, but of rubbing noses.

      These natives are, so it seems, of Polynesian origin, and it is even possible that the first immigrants into New Zealand came from the archipelago of Tonga-Tabou,18 which is situated some twelve hundred miles to the north.

      There are, basically, two reasons that this population is decreasing rapidly and destined to disappear in the future. The first cause is illness, especially pulmonary phthisis, which wreaks great devastation among Maori families. The second, still more terrible, is drunkenness, and it is to be noted that Maori women are first in rank in this dreadful abuse of alcoholic liquors.

      In addition, there is reason to believe that the Maoris’ eating habits have been profoundly modified. Thanks to the missionaries, the influence of Christianity has become dominant. The natives were cannibalistic in days gone by,19 and who would dare say that such ultra-nitrogenous food did not suit their temperament? Be that as it may, it’s better that they disappear rather than eat each other, “although,” as a very observant tourist once said, “cannibalism never had but one goal, battle: devouring the eyes and heart of the enemy in order to become inspired by his courage and to acquire his wisdom!”

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      These Maoris resisted British invasion until 1875; it is at that time when the last Maori leader of the King Country region surrendered to the authority of Great Britain.

      Around six o’clock, Mr. Hawkins, the captain, and Nat Gibson returned to the office for dinner. Then, after saying goodbye to Mr. Balfour, they had themselves brought to the brig, which would be ready to hoist anchor at the first glimmer of dawn.

      5

      A Few Days at Sea

      It was six o’clock in the morning when the James Cook hoisted anchor and, with all sails set, began to get under way. The captain had to maneuver his way through the harbor and leave it through a narrow opening. After skirting Point Nicholson, thanks to much tacking, he found where the headwind was gusting and entered with the opposing wind blowing from the north. But when the ship reached Orokiva,1 the sea breeze from the west allowed the captain to cross at close quarters the vast gulf along Ikana-Maoui’s coast between Wellington and New Plymouth, beyond Cape Egmont.2

      The James Cook, cutting diagonally across the bay, thus sailed away from land and would approach it again only at the latitude of the aforementioned Cape.

      The distance to cover along the western shore of North Island was about a hundred miles. With a steady breeze it could be crossed in three days. Moreover, given the wind’s direction, it would be impossible to remain in sight of the coast, whose hydrographic contours Harry Gibson knew perfectly. There would be no difficulty for the brig in maintaining its proper distance.

      This first day went by under quite pleasant conditions. Mr. Hawkins and Nat Gibson, seated near their quarters, indulged themselves in the delightful sights and sounds that a ship at sea can provide. Leaning a bit under the wind, the brig rapidly cut through the long swells, leaving behind a frothy wake. The captain was walking back and forth, with quick glances at the binnacle facing the helmsman, and exchanging a few words with the passengers. Half the crew was forward on watch, the other half was resting in their quarters, after having received their morning rations. Several fishing lines had been cast off the stern and by lunchtime they would not be pulled in without bringing in some of the fish that were so numerous in these seas.

      It is also well known that the localities around New Zealand are highly frequented by whales, which are hunted with great success. In this vast bay, a number of them appeared around the brig, and they easily could have been caught.

      This led Mr. Hawkins to tell the captain as they watched these enormous mammals:

      “I have always wanted to combine whaling with coastal trade, Gibson, and I believe the one would bring in as much profit as the other.”

      “It’s possible,” replied the captain, “and the whalers who reach these waters easily fill their hold with barrels of oil,

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