AT FUTUNA, RECRUITING. 303 



familiar with iu Stewart's Island by the name of " Maori 

 hens." They were so tame and inquisitive that we had 

 no difficulty in securing a few by the simple process of 

 knocking them over with sticks. From the main branch 

 of a large tree hung a big honey-comb, out of which the 

 honey was draining upon the earth. Around it buzzed a 

 busy concourse of bees, who appeared to us so formidable 

 that we decided to leave them to the enjoyment of their 

 sweet store, in case we should invite an attack. 



So far, our rambling had revealed nothing of any 

 service to us ; but just then, struck by the appearance of a 

 plant which was growing profusely in a glade we were 

 passing over, I made bold to taste one of the leaves. 

 What the botanical name of the vegetable is, I do not 

 know; but, under the designation of "Maori cabbage," 

 it is well known in New Zealand. It looks like a lettuce, 

 running to seed ; but it tastes exactly like young turnip- 

 tops, and is a splendid anti- scorbutic. What its dis- 

 covery meant to us, I can hardly convey to any one who 

 does not know what an insatiable craving for potatoes 

 and green vegetables possesses seamen when they have 

 for long been deprived of these humble but necessary 

 articles of food. Under the circumstances, no " find " 

 could have given us greater pleasure — that is, in the 

 food line — than this did. 



Taking it all round, however, the place as a foraging 

 ground was not a success. We chased a goat of very 

 large size, and beard voluminous as a Eabbi's, into a cave, 

 which may have been the one the Halsteads took shelter 

 in, for we saw no other. One of the Kanakas volunteered 

 to go in after him with a line, and did so. The resul- 

 tant encounter was the best bit of fun we had had for 

 many a day. After a period of darksome scuffling within, 

 the entangled pair emerged, fiercely wrestling, Billy 



