S-MiTH. —Captaiji Dumont D'Urvillt's Visit in 1827. 427 



and his exploits the right to command the warriors of Manoukao. He pre- 

 sented me with his baton of command, carved at its extremity, incrusted 

 with shell, and enriched with precious plumes. [Inaki must not be con- 

 founded with Hinaki, the principal chief of this branch of Ngati-paoa, who 

 was killed at the storming of Mauinaina or Mokoia Pa, near Panmure, by 

 Hongi's war-party in 1821. Hinaki was the father of Harata, wife of old 

 Epiha Patene (or Jabez Bunting), well known to old Auckland settlers. 

 Poraparau means " one captured in war," and, as often happened, pro- 

 bably Inaki, by his courage as a warrior, had risen to be a leader in war in 

 his captor's tribe.] 



Te Rangui had become altogether my guest, and slept in my cabin, whilst 

 Inaki and Tawiti were treated on the same footing by the officers. Rangui 

 was extended tranquilly on his mattress, and was preparing to sleep, when 

 he heard in the adjacent cabin (the officers' quarters) his two companions 

 occupied in negotiating the introduction of some women who had been 

 demanded of them. My chief then demanded of me if I also wished the 

 same ; on my replying in the negative he heaved a sigh ; subsequently, 

 supposing me to be asleep, he stole away softly, and went to take part in the 

 negotiations of his two companions, in order, no doubt, to participate in 

 the profits which should accrue to them. 



27th February. — At 5 a.m., desiring to profit by a light breeze from the 

 S.S.W. to continue our work, I had the topsails set, and half an hour after- 

 wards we were under way to the E.S.E. towards Pakii [Pakihi]. 



Our noble friends, Rangui, Tawiti, and Inaki, before leaving us, promised 

 to return and see us at Shouraki. By means of a ribbon I suspended round 

 the necks of Rangui and Inaki medals of the expedition, in sign of protection 

 and friendship, testimony of which they appeared very sensible. Rangui 

 having informed me that the passage by Pakii was not safe, and that it was 

 necessary to take another, between the islands, offered me one of his slaves 

 (kouJci) [kuki — i.e., cook] to serve as pilot, assuring me that the man knew 

 all those localities perfectly. In testifying my thanks to the chief for this 

 mark of attention, I was little disposed to place too much confidence in the 

 nautical knowledge of such a person, who, after all, could never have piloted 

 anything but a canoe, drawing only 2 ft. or 3 ft. of water. 



At the time when the chiefs embarked in their canoes, an incident 

 occurred showing the character of these people. I have already said 

 that during all the time the corvette was at anchor off the Mogoia River, 

 not only Rangui and the other rangatiras had comported themselves with 

 propriety, but also their subjects had trafficked alongside with a good faith 

 worthy of praise. As we got under way I was told that one of the Natives 

 had taken the lead of the sounding-line, negligently left hanging in the 

 chains. Taken in the deed, he returned it without any resistance, and 

 hastened to slip away. Addressing Rangui in a loud voice, and with a 

 severe tone, to the effect that they were not worthy of being called honest 

 men, I said that we would chastise robbers without mercy. That reproach 

 and threat appeared to af?ect him profoundly ; he excused himself by saying 

 the crime had been committed without his knowledge by a stranger, a slave. 

 Then, with a submissive air, he demanded if I intended to punish him for 

 that action. I responded that it was of no consequence this time, and 

 wished him good-bye in a friendly way, and turned away to the work of the 

 ship. An instant after, the noise of heavy blows and of pitiable cries 

 coming from the canoe of Rangui drew my attention to the side. Then I 

 saw Rangui and Tawiti both striking a mat which seemed to cover a man. 



