198 NEW ZEALAND CHAP, vm 



completely cured. Our repast ended, we proceeded down 

 the river again. At the mouth of it was a small Indian 

 village, where we landed, and were most civilly received 

 by the inhabitants, who treated us with hot cockles, or 

 at least a small flat shell-fish (Tellina), which was most 

 delicious food. 



lltk. An oyster bank was found in the river, about half 

 a mile up, just above a small island which is covered at high 

 water ; here the long-boat was sent and soon returned 

 deeply loaded with as good oysters as ever came from Col- 

 chester, and of about the same size. They were laid down 

 under the booms, and employed the ship's company very 

 well, who, I sincerely believe, did nothing but eat from the 

 time they came on board till night, by which time a large 

 part were expended. But this gave us no kind of uneasi- 

 ness, since we well knew that not the boat only but the 

 ship might be loaded in one tide almost, as they are dry 

 at half ebb. 



12th. We all went ashore to see an Indian fort, or heppah, 

 in the neighbourhood, uncertain, however, what kind of a re- 

 ception we should meet with, as they might be jealous about 

 letting us into a place where all their valuable effects were 

 probably lodged. We went to a bay where were two heppahs, 

 and landed first near a small one, the most beautiful romantic 

 thing I ever saw. It was built on a small rock detached 

 from the main, and surrounded at high water ; the top of 

 this was fenced round with rails after their manner, but was 

 not large enough to contain above five or six houses ; the 

 whole appeared totally inaccessible to any animal who was 

 not furnished with wings, indeed, it was only approachable 

 by one very narrow and steep path, but what made it most 

 truly romantic was that much the greater part of it was 

 hollowed out into an arch, which penetrated quite through 

 it, the top being not less than twenty perpendicular yards 

 above the water, which ran through it. 



The inhabitants on our approach came down, and invited 

 us to go in ; but we refused, intending to visit a much larger 

 and more perfect one about a mile off: we spent, however, 



