AND MODES OF WARFARE. 127 
enemy, when he is down. This is the only native 
weapon which has not been laid aside by the 
chiefs : it is still a mark of distinction to carry, 
under their outer garment, or suspended to their 
girdle, one of the finest of these beautiful speci- 
mens of native workmanship ; which descend from 
father to son, as heir-looms in a family, and for 
scarcely any consideration are they ever parted 
with. Those made of wood, whalebone, or any 
other material than the green talc, are not much 
valued ; and may be purchased for a knife, or a 
pair of scissors, or sometimes for the mere trifle 
of a fio: of neg:ro-head tobacco. 
Of the New Zealanders' method of warfare 
with the musket, little need be said, but that it 
is carried on by undisciplined troops, without a 
commander, under the influence of their passions, 
and destitute of all knowledge. They generally 
make one grand rush, in a body ; then keep up a 
running-fire, from behind trees, or canoes, or any 
other object which will conceal them from the 
view of the persons at whom they are aiming. 
For the most part, however, they take no aim: 
but fire at random, and not unfrequently cause 
that destruction amongst their friends which they 
had intended for their enemies. 
With weapons of their own forming, except 
the spear, close combat is necessarily resorted 
to. The savage character of a native-fight is in- 
describable. Much is sometimes gained by their 
war-cry, the first shout, and the first volley: 
