was strongly blended with humanity; for
their respect and devotion to the old sybil
was manifested as feelingly as their hatred
towards those whom they call their enemies:
in fact, the young warrior chiefs presenting
to her (as was the case with several) their
first spoils of conquest, reminded me of young
lions bringing part of the spoils of the chase
to their aged dam.
In this affray only a few of Atoi’s party
had been wounded, and twenty-five of the
enemy had been killed. It was a fortunate
circumstance for the wretched prisoners that
none of the conquering party had been killed j
for, if that had been the case, there would
have been a dreadful slaughter of the captives
on their arrival at the village, an act of
cruelty never dispensed with. This sight I
dreaded I should encounter when I went to
witness the disembarkation ; but, hoping that
my presence might be some restraint upon
their barbarities, I awaited the result with as
much firmness as I was master of.
Two South Sea whalers were at this time
lying in the bay: the “ Anne,” from London,
a full ship; and the “ Lynx,” from Sydney.
Since I have been living here, five vessels of
this description have visited us ; and many
others would have touched here but for the
want of proper regulations, and a dread of
the dispositions of the natives. There being
here no representative of the British Government,
the crews of whalers are often involved
in disputes with the natives. This want of
Government support has also frightened other
vessels away ; their commanders preferring
going on to Port Jackson, where they half
ruin themselves by the unavoidable expenses
they incur. Even when their vessels have
anchored here, the thoughtlessness and eccentricity
of this class of men, when they are
under no restraint or control, has sometimes
not only led to disputes with the natives,
but with each other, which eventually have
proved equally detrimental. In short, New
Zealand is a place of such vast importance to
so many lucrative branches of British trade,
that it must be well worthy the speedy attention
of our Government at home.
We spoke frequently to our friend George,
o 4