THE FIRST STATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 169 
the natives, many of which were not understood 
by the Missionaries, and consequently were fre- 
quently broken in upon without the power of 
explaining that it was done unwittingly; they 
seemed to be labouring almost in vain, and hoping 
against hope. When once, however, our early 
friends began to converse with the natives, and 
in some degree were able to make themselves 
intelligible, and to understand the meaning of 
those to whom they were sent, the clouds began 
to pass away, and light plainly dawned upon 
their future course. 
It was about this time that the illustrious Hongi, 
with Waikato, a chief of no small importance 
at Rangihoua, visited England. They were intro- 
duced to the Prince Regent, who received them 
favourably ; and they returned from the royal 
presence loaded with valuable presents. After 
having extensively travelled about the country, 
they were provided with a comfortable passage 
back to New Zealand, and landed on their own 
shores with large supplies of all that they or their 
friends valued most. From this period, the Mis- 
sionaries rose in the estimation of the natives 
generally, and were ever after beloved and pro- 
tected by Hongi, and by his people. To the 
friendliness of this warlike chief may, under God, 
be attributed the safety of the Mission. In many 
critical moments, he threw himself between the 
little unprotected body, and death ; with much 
energy he prevented attacks upon property ; and 
