Dec. 1835. 



NEW ZEALAND. 



503 



walk would be shortened. He likewise procured for me a guide. 

 Upon asking a neighbouring chief to recommend a man, the 

 chief himself oifered to go ; but his ignorance of the value of 

 money was so complete, that at first he asked how many 

 pounds I would give him ; but, afterwards was well contented 

 with two dollars. When I showed the chief a very small 

 bundle, which I wanted carried, it became absolutely neces- 

 sary to take a slave for that purpose. These feelings of pride 

 are beginning to wear away; but formerly a leading man 

 would sooner have died than undergone the indignity of 

 carrying the smallest burden. My companion was a light 

 active man, dressed in a dirty blanket, and with his face com- 

 pletely tattooed. He had formerly been a great warrior. He 

 appeared to be on very cordial terms with Mr. Bushby ; but 

 at various times they had quarrelled violently. Mr. Bushby 

 remarked that a little quiet irony would frequently silence 

 any one of these natives in their most blustering moments. 

 This chief has come and harangued Mr. Bushby in a hector- 

 ing manner, saying, A great chief, a great man, a friend of 

 mine, has come to pay me a visit — you must give him some- 

 thing good to eat, some fine presents, &c.^^ Mr. Bushby has 

 allowed him to finish his discourse, and then has quietly re- 

 plied by some such answer as, " What else shall your slave 

 do for you The man would then instantly, with a very 

 comical expression, cease his braggadocio. 



Some time ago, Mr. Bushby suffered a far more serious 

 attack. A chief and a party of men tried to break into his 

 house in the middle of the night, and not finding this so 

 easy, commenced a brisk firing with their muskets. Mr. 

 Bushby was slightly wounded ; but the party was at length 

 driven away. Shortly afterwards it was discovered who 

 was the aggressor ; and a general meeting of the chiefs was 

 convened to consider the case. It was considered by the 

 New Zealanders as very atrocious, inasmuch as it was a 

 night attack, and that Mrs. Bushby was lying ill in the house : 

 this latter circumstance, much to their honour, being con- 



