A V O Y A G E ROUND THE WORLD.
the advantages which future ages might reap from the
propagation of fuch a valuable race of animals. On this
excurfion we faw a large animal in the water about Grafs
Cove, which feemed to be a fea-lion by its magnitude,
but which we could not get a fhot at. We had already
difcovered a fmall fpecies of bats in the woods, fo that the
lift of the indigenous quadrupeds in New Zeeland was
increafed to five, including the domeftic dog of the natives ;
and it is much to be doubted whether it is poffible to add
a fixth to that number. After we had ranged the woods in
different parts, collefted feveral plants, {hot a few birds, and
taken in a great load of wild celery and fcurvy-grafs, we
returned late on board.
On the third of June, we fent fome boats to Long Ifland
to fetch our hay on board ; and having laid in a fufficient
quantity of wood and water, put the {hip in a condition
to go to fea, and refreflied our crews with vaft quantities
of greens, we were ready to fail with the firft opportunity.
One of our boats in returning faw a large double canoe,
and another in which they counted about fifty men, who
immediately chaced them : but our people not being armed,
hoisted fail, and foon got away from them, fo that the
New Zeelanders gave over the purfuit, and returned towards
Eaft Bay from whence they came. We can by no
means pretend to affert that their intentions were hoftile
in any degree, but prudence naturally fuggefted to our
people
people, not to place themfelves in the power of a fet of
uncivilized men, who follow their own caprice inftead of
laws.
The next morning we hoifted St. George* s colours, the
jack and pennant in honour of His Majefty’s birth-day„
which we prepared to celebrate with the ufual feftivides.
The family of natives, whofe name I have mentioned page
209, and who by living conftantly in a neighbouring cove,
were now intimate with us, came on board very early, and.
breakfafted with us. Whilft we were fitting, in the fteerage,,
an officer acquainted the captain with the approach of a
large double canoe, well manned with New Zeelanders,
coming from the northward. We immediately went on
deck, and faw the canoe about a mulket {hot from us,,
containing twenty-eight men, making towards our floop,,
which from her fize they probably took to be the commanding
one. Our friends on board very earneftly told
us they would be our enemies, and perfifted to fire at
them ; nay Towahanga, the head of the family jumped on.
the arm cheft, which was placed on our quarter deck,,
and taking hold of a flick, made a number o f warlike,
motions, with it, and foon after fpoke to them very violently,
but with fome degree of folemnity,. at the fame,
time brandiffiing, as it feemed in defiance, a large hatchet;
of green nephritic ftone, which he had never {hewn us
before., In the mean time the canoe, approached, without;
taking;
Friday 4,
I