588 
SAMUEL MARSDEN. 
and Hall, with their wives and five children, two sawyers, and 
a smith ; a horse, a bull, two cows, a few sheep, and poultry 
of different kinds, were also taken with them ; they first 
anchored in Matouri Bay, about twenty miles to the north 
of the Bay of Islands. 
Mr. Marsden landed with his party at Waiawa, but he and 
Mr. Nicholas only stayed on shore for the night ; there he 
met Tara, better known by the name George, the Chief who 
cut off the Boyd , and he slept by his side, in full confidence 
that he might do so with safety ; this fearless conduct shows 
his natural strength of mind most forcibly, when he could 
thus, without protection, entrust his life the very first night 
he passed on shore with that savage and cannibal chieftain; 
it is interesting to know, that the first work of this servant of 
Him who is the Prince of Peace, was to make peace between 
the Bay of Islands and Wangaroa natives, and to put an end 
to the deadly feud which had so long existed between them ; 
thus the foundation of the Gospel in New Zealand was laid in 
peace — a happy omen for its future success. The description 
which Mr. Marsden himself gave of that memorable night, is 
so graphic, that it must be given in his own words : — “ As 
the evening advanced, the people began to retire to rest in 
different groups ; about eleven o'clock, Mr. Nicholas and I 
wrapped ourselves up in our great coats, and prepared for 
rest also. George directed me to lie by his side ; his wife 
and child lay on the right hand, and Mr. Nicholas close by, 
the night was clear, the stars shone bright, and the sea in 
our front was smooth ; around us were numerous spears, 
stuck upright in the ground, and groups of natives lying in 
all directions, like a flock of sheep upon the grass, as there 
were neither tents nor huts to cover them ; I viewed our 
present situation with sensations and feelings that I cannot 
express — surrounded by cannibals, who had massacred and 
devoured our countrymen, I wondered much at the mysteries 
of Providence, and how these things could be ! never did I 
behold the blessed advantage of civilization in a more grateful 
light than now ; I did not sleep much during the night, 
my mind was too seriously occupied by the present scene. 
