death. This determination having become
known, we had a constant succession of
visiters, and a considerable number of blows,
scratches, and rubbing noses were the consequence.
Our beach presented a most interesting
and busy scene. A dozen superb
war canoes were lying ready to convey the
forces; and, considering their limited means,
the solidity of their structure and the carved
work on them are surprising. None but men
of rank are allowed to work upon them, and
they labour like slaves. Some canoes were
to be lengthened; others patched; others
were condemned to be broken up, and the
fragments taken to complete new ones. Every
morning we were awakened by the sound of
the hammer and saw, and they were much
gratified by our walking down to their dockyard
to observe the progress they made, and
by giving our opinions of their work. They
thankfully received any hint we gave them,
as to better methods of completing or proceeding
with their operations. Here were
carvers, painters, caulkers, and sailmakers, all
working in their different departments with
great good-humour and industry. Some of
their vessels were eighty feet long, and were
entirely covered with beautiful carving. Their
form was light and delicate, and if their intentions
were hostile towards us, they would
be very formidable alongside any merchantman.
If our government should determine
to colonise any part of New Zealand, they
would find the natives hardy and willing
assistants, and very different from the natives
of New South Wales.
As their canoes were ready for launching,
they ran them off the beach, jumped into
them, and scudded across the bay with an
almost incredible swiftness. When it is considered
that in each canoe were seated eighty
stout young men, each with a large paddle in his
hand propelling the vessel forward, the velocity
with which she flew may be imagined! It was
in the midst of scenes like these that we were
passing our time, and I had just become delighted
with the appearance of innocence and
industry so continually displayed by these
people, when I was called upon to witness a
sight which exhibited their character in its