Chap. V. QUARREL AMONG CHIEFS. 129 
not sea-worthy, a broken windlass, no chronometer, 
and she was already so short of food that the passen- 
gers were living on the peas out of the grummets used 
to keep the plates on the table. The captain told us 
that great excitement had been caused in Sydney by 
the news of our expedition and its objects ; and that 
many parties were preparing to come down to this part 
of New Zealand for the purpose of buying up tracts of 
land in the neighbourhood of the intended settlements. 
Even in this ship were numerous deeds sent down to 
agents here in order to confirm some purchases agreed 
upon at former times, and for which some small pre- 
payment had been made. 
23rd. — The Tory having shifted her berth nearer to 
the two small islands on which the natives principally 
reside, the chiefs again came off, Hiko and his uncle in 
a nice whale-boat belonging to the former. A third 
korero took place before about twenty White witnesses 
and a numerous attendance of natives from the shore, 
so that the deck was quite crowded. All expressed 
their perfect consent to the sale, and asked for the pay- 
ment to be made. The goods were accordingly got up 
and placed on deck. Colonel Wakefield had added a 
bale of clothing, and several other useful articles, at the 
request of H'lko, who had persuaded the others to cease 
their clamours for fire-arms. A dozen fowling-pieces, 
included in the payment, were brought up and placed, 
ready for distribution, on the companion-hatch. 
Rauperaha, Tungia, and the other warlike chiefs, 
rushed at these in the wildest manner, each attempting 
to seize one ; but they were all immediately removed out 
of their reach ; and Hiko, who had been trying on one 
of the coats preparatory to the distribution, no sooner 
saw the selfishness and ill-faith of his rivals, than he 
took off the coat, called to Rangihiroa, who had 
VOL. L K 
