Gold fever exerted its influence here as it did in Dunedin or in the other New Zealand ports. Several ships found it impossible to cast off. Mr. Gibson wanted to take every precaution to maintain his crew at full strength, even those recruits from the Three Magpies whom he would willingly exchange for others. Besides, his stopover in Wellington would be of short duration, scarcely twenty-four hours.
The first people to receive him on his visit were Mr. Hawkins and Nat Gibson. The captain had been brought ashore as soon as he arrived in port, and eight bells were striking when he presented himself at Mr. Hawkins’s office, situated at the far end of one of the streets that ran down to the port.
Wellington (photo: J. Valentine & Sons, Dundee)
“Father!”
“My friend!”
Thus was Harry Gibson greeted when he entered the office. He had arrived before the departure of his son and Mr. Hawkins, who were getting ready to go down to the dock, as they did each morning, to see if the James Cook might not be finally sighted by the semaphore lookout.
The young man flung his arms around his father’s neck, and the shipowner hugged the latter in his arms.
Mr. Hawkins,10 now fifty years old, was a man of middle stature, graying hair, no beard, bright and friendly eyes, good health and constitution, very nimble, active, knowledgeable in commerce, and bold in business. It was known that his business in Hobart Town was very successful, and he could have retired already with his fortune made. But it would not have suited him, after such a busy career, to live in idleness. So, with the goal of developing his fleet, which included several other ships, he had come to Wellington to set up an office with an associate, Mr. Balfour. Nat Gibson would become the principal employee and profit-sharer as soon as the James Cook had completed its voyage.
Captain Gibson’s son, then twenty-one years old, had a lively intelligence, a serious turn of mind, and a deep affection for his mother as well as for Mr. Hawkins. It is true, the latter and the captain were so closely attached in his filial devotion that Nat Gibson could hardly distinguish between them. Ardent, enthusiastic, a lover of beautiful things, Nat was an artist who also had some talent for business affairs. His height was greater than average, his eyes dark, his hair and beard chestnut, his gait elegant, his attitude composed, his countenance friendly. He made a good impression straight off, and he had only friends. On the other hand, there was no doubt but that he would become, with age, resolute and energetic. With a firmer temperament than his father, he took after his mother.
Mr. Hawkins and Captain Gibson
In his leisure time, Nat Gibson dabbled with great pleasure in photography,11 this art that had made much progress thanks to the use of accelerating substances, which bring the snapshots to the utmost degree of perfection. His camera was always in his hand, and one can imagine how he had already made good use of it during this trip: picturesque sites, portraits of natives, photographs of all sorts.
During his stay in Wellington, he had shot a number of views of the city and its environs. Mr. Hawkins himself took an interest in it. They were both often seen setting off, with their camera supplies strapped bandolier-style across their bodies, and returning from their excursions with new riches for their collection.
After having presented the captain to Mr. Balfour, Mr. Hawkins returned to his office, with Mr. Gibson and his son following him. And there, at first, they talked about Hobart Town. News was not lacking, thanks to the regular service between Tasmania and New Zealand. Just the day before, a letter from Mrs. Hawkins had arrived, and the ones from Mrs. Gibson had been awaiting the arrival of the James Cook in Wellington for several days.
The captain read his correspondence. Everything was fine at home. The women were in good health. It is true, the absence seemed long to them, and it was their hope that it would not be prolonged. But the voyage should soon be drawing to a close.
“Yes,” said Mr. Hawkins, “five or six weeks more and we’ll be back in Hobart Town.”
“Dear mother,” Nat Gibson exclaimed, “how happy she will be to see us again, just as much as we were, Father, in embracing you!”
“And that I was, myself, my son!”
“My friend,” said Mr. Hawkins, “I have every reason to believe that the voyage of the James Cook will be of short length.”
“That’s what I think too, Hawkins.”
“Even at average speed,” replied the shipowner, “the voyage from New Zealand to New Ireland12 is fairly short.”
“In this season especially,” answered the captain. “The sea is calm all the way to the equator, and the winds are steady. I think as you do that we’ll have no delays to put up with if our stopover in Port Praslin13 doesn’t have to be prolonged.”
“That won’t be the case, Gibson. I’ve received a letter from our correspondent, Mr. Zieger, that is very reassuring on this subject. In the archipelago, there is a large stock of merchandise of mother of pearl and copra, and loading the brig can be done without difficulty.”
“Is Mr. Zieger ready to take delivery of our merchandise?” asked the captain.
“Yes, my friend, and I repeat, I have been assured that there will be no delay on his end.”
“Don’t forget, Hawkins, that after Port Praslin, we’ll have to go to Kerawara.”14
“That will be only a day, Gibson.”
“Well, Father, let’s be clear on the length of the voyage. How many days will our stopover at Port Praslin and Kerawara be?”
“About three weeks in all.”
“And from Wellington to Port Praslin?”
“About the same.”
“And the return to Tasmania?”
“About a month.”
“So in two months and a half, it’s possible that the James Cook will be back in Hobart Town.”
“Yes. Rather less time than more.”
“Good,” Nat Gibson replied. “I’m going to write to my mother this very day, because the courier to Australia raises anchor the day after tomorrow. I will ask her for two and a half months of patience. That’s how much Mrs. Hawkins will have to have too, isn’t that right, Mr. Hawkins?”
“Yes, indeed, my young man.”
“And at the beginning of the year, the two families will be reunited.”
“Two families will be as one!” replied Mr. Hawkins.
The shipowner and the captain shook hands affectionately.
“My dear Gibson,” Mr. Hawkins then said. “We’ll have dinner here with Mr. Balfour.”
“Of course, Hawkins.”
“Do
