be trusted, and therefore feared some mischief
might happen if he really came, the sight of
these war canoes naturally caused us com
siderable alarm, and we sincerely wished that
the visit was over.
We dressed ourselves with the utmost expedition,
and walked down to the beach.
The landing of these warriors was conducted
with a considerable degree of order; and
could I have divested myself of all idea of
danger, I should have admired the sight
excessively. All our New Zealand friends—
the tribe of Shulitea — were stripped naked,
their bodies were oiled, and all were completely
armed; their muskets were loaded,
their cartouch boxes were fastened round their
waists, and their patoo-patoos were fixed to
their wrists. Their hair was tied up in a
tight knot at the top of their heads, beautifully
ornamented with feathers of the albatross.
As the opposite party landed, ours all
crouched on the ground, their eyes fixed on
their visiters, and perfectly silent. When the
debarkation was completed, I observed the
chief, Ta-ri-ah, put himself at their head, and
march towards us with his party formed closely
and compactly, and armed with muskets and
paddles.. When they came very near, they
suddenly stopped. Our party continued still
mute, with their firelocks poised ready for
use. For the space of a few minutes all was
still, each party glaring fiercely on the other;
and they certainly formed one of the most
beautiful and extraordinary pictures I had
ever beheld. The fore ground was formed
by a line of naked savages, each resting on one
knee, with musket advanced; their gaze fixed
on the opposite party *, their fine broad muscular
backs contrasting with the dark foliage
in front, and catching the gleam of the rising
sun. The strangers were clothed in the most
grotesque manner imaginable; some armed,
some naked, some with long beards, others
were painted all over with red ochre: every
part of each figure was quite still, except the
rolling and glaring of their eyes on their
opponents. The back ground was formed
by the beach, and a number of their beautiful
war canoes dancing on the waves; while, in
the distance, the mountains on the opposite