386 [PART n. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



Rotu-Kareka Rotu-rua. 



THE lake of Tera-wera is about three miles long, 

 and of the same breadth, although of an irregular 

 shape. We crossed, coasting along the rocky shores 

 to its eastern extremity, where we passed a well- 

 populated pa. Here the lake of Tera-wera is sepa- 

 rated from the lake Kareka only by a neck of land 

 a mile in breadth, and forming a well-cultivated 

 ravine. Our two native guides had returned in the 

 morning, to continue their journey to Turanga. 

 At Tera-wera we were joined by a party of natives 

 from Rotu-rua, armed with muskets, and driving 

 some pigs. They were very noisy fellows, with the 

 exception of those who seemed the first in rank. I 

 had heard before that the natives of Rotu-rua were 

 the most primitive tribe in New Zealand, and still 

 resist the inroads of European manners, and these 

 men confirmed the report. They soon took care 

 of all our loads, after they had examined our persons 

 and expressed aloud their astonishment. Their 

 curiosity, however, was somewhat importunate. I 

 heard afterwards that they had just returned from 



