He was now all attention in getting us something to eat, and collecting reeds for of his peo

our beds; nor would he allow

any

ple to come into our hut without permission. The pah of this tribe is on a circular hill, steep and difficult of ascent. It stands in the middle of a valley, through which the river Kameemy makes many windings.

The ground is generally under cultivation, producing potatoes, degenerated turnips [see Note 13.], and cabbages, while the surrounding hills, which, from their height and diversity of shape, form a very splendid piece of scenery, are covered with wood; and the cowry, whose loftiness and richness of foliage distinguishes it from the other trees of the forest, grows in great abundance.

The houses of the natives were generally at the foot of the pah; near its summit, three of the carronades of the Boyd were planted, and three others and an anchor, lay on the banks of the river.

Though George, personally, was one of the

most attentive chiefs we had met, still, there was something singularly cautious, mistrustful, and uncomfortable in his manner.

In the middle of some of his most animated conversations, his utterance seemed suddenly paralysed, and he observed the countenances of those about him with the most anxious suspicions; while at other times, breaking off the subject he was upon, he would enter into a detail of the different arrangements which he understood us to have made for his destruction; placing a number of little sticks upon the ground, and endeavouring with them to designate the manner in which the soldiers were to act in massacring himself, his brothers, and his tribe. He spoke a very little English, and remembered some verses of the popular British songs, which he had learned during his service in one of our ships. An allusion to the attack upon the Boyd was more than once made; but he declared that he was sick at the time, and that he was not present at the transaction.

In the course of the evening, he brought

his children into the hut, and requested that the eldest, a boy about seven years old, might remain on board the ship; a proposition which was readily assented to, and every care promised to be taken of him.

After George retired from our hut for the night, he addressed a speech to his tribe, which lasted at least two hours. At times his action was so violent, that he became almost unable to articulate, and he was obliged, occasionally, to pause, to recover himself; but, notwithstanding his agitation, his deportment, whether standing or pacing up and down the circle, was commanding and unembarrassed, and he was heard by the audience who sat round him, with unwearied attention.

We lamented that we had not an interpreter, in whom we could confide, to explain the purport of his long harangue; but we could not help admiring in this instance, as we had in many others, the free-born confidence with which these people communicate their sen

timents to one another; the natural ease and gracefulness of their carriage; and the marked silence and deference with which they are heard.

June 24th, Saturday. Hazy, thermometer 52°. At an early hour, we took leave of George, and returned to the ship. From the time she came into the harbour, Teperree, the chief of the tribe, residing immediately in the neighbourhood of the anchorage, was, in general, on board. Seeing this morning some of the men heaving at the capstan, he has tened to their assistance; and, after going a few turns round in high spirits, he was not a little surprised to find that the result of the labour in which he was assisting was one of the forecastle guns, which began to show itself above the hatchway, a sight which so disconcerted him, that he instantly retired.

To prevent the ship from being top-heavy during her passage from the Bay of Islands, some of the guns had been put into the hold; they were now to be restored to their proper

places; and Teperree found himself unwittingly lending his strength to the adjustment of an engine, which, according to his suspicions of our purpose in coming to his harbour, was ultimately destined for the destruction of his tribe. At night it blew a strong gale at N.E. with torrents of rain.

June 25th, Sunday. Constant and heavy rain. In the afternoon Tippooi, George's brother, accompanied by his wife and two children, paid us a visit.

26th, Monday. Hazy with rain. A boat went to examine the wreck of the Boyd, and succeeded in unshipping the rudder, which was sent on board. The wood was

perfectly sound, and the copper appendages serviceable.

Rain during the night.

27th, Tuesday. Hazy with constant and heavy rain, thermometer 58°. Heavy gales at N.E. during the night, with rain. No communication with the shore.

28th, Wednesday. Fine, thermometer 60°.