Chap. VIII. LANDING THROUGH THE SURF. »^ 
lifting over the long swell, the moon and stars shining 
bright and clear, and a heavy dew falling on the 
sleepers coiled in their blankets, and the only sound 
to disturb the calm of the scene was the distant roar 
of the surf. At the break of day I found the natives 
engaged in a lively discussion ; unable, from the 
monotonous appearance of the low sand-hummocks 
which form the coast, to determine our exact locality. 
After some vain pulling about, first north, then south, 
they at length made up their minds that TVanganui 
lay about twelve miles north of us, and pulled in that 
direction. 
A very heavy surf hid the coast from us every now 
and then ; and when they discovered signs of an im- 
mediate gale from the south-east, my crew held a long 
consultation. My advice was asked as to whether we 
should at once land through the surf, or run the 
chance of being caught by the gale in order to seek 
smoother water at the entrance of the JVanganui. I 
left it entirely to them, and they soon afterwards 
turned the head of the canoe towards the shore. 
Before entering the surf, they made all preparations 
for an accident. They shook off their mats and 
blankets, and made me strip to my shirt and trowsers. 
The guns and other heavy articles were lashed to the 
thwarts of the canoe. I was placed in the bow, be- 
tween two strong fellows, who were enjoined to have 
a particular regard for my safety. 
All hands now took to the paddles; two at the 
bow and two at the stern assisting the manager of 
the steer-oar to keep her square before the sea. 
A " smooth" or favourable moment was seized, and 
we dashed along on the top of a foaming roller, with 
our liveliest stroke and a cheering song. Tena! tena! 
or " hurrah ! hurrah ! " shouted the steersman. Kia 
