102 Voyage of the Novara. 



ill it, the rolling of the eyes, the protrusion of tlie tongues, 

 combined to make a formidable impression, and to give some 

 idea of the frightful appearance of these warriors, when, 

 instead of simulated rage, they were animated by the ferocity 

 of real warfare with the foe ! As soon as symptoms of lassitude 

 and fatigue began to be visible among the war-dancers they 

 arranged themselves, at the command of the old chief, Patuoni, 

 on both sides, three ranks deep, and permitted the strangers 

 to pass from end to end of the camp. Here we were once 

 more welcomed in genuine New Zealand fashion by the 

 various chiefs, some of whom endeavoured to strike up a con- 

 versation. Mr. W. Baker, Government interpreter, and Sec- 

 retaiy to the Native Department, who had been desired by 

 Government to attend the Novara staff to the feast, was so 

 kind as to translate. 



The first to emerge from the ranks was Paora Tuhaera of 

 Oraki, who spoke as follows : " Welcome, O chief from a 

 foreign shore, messenger of a king and a nation of which we 

 only lately have heard tell ! Our English friends explained to 

 us that your countrymen have long been friends and allies of 

 the British jDeople, whose Queen is our protectress, and under 

 whose laws we live in undisturbed tranquillity on our own 

 lands. You are a stranger among us ! You for the first time 

 behold a race whose fathers passed their lives in ignorance, in 

 war, in the practice of every evil custom. You have been 

 present at this place and witnessed how we sought once to 

 give vent to om- passions and to scare our enemies. This 



