448 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. XVII. 
when it was comparatively smooth at Ngamotu ; and 
after capsizing one or two boats at the entrance, the 
site had been removed to the coast close to the islands. 
The captain described the settlers as all well, and 
busied in preparations of all kinds. 
Proceeding up the Sound, we found ourselves be- 
calmed a few miles before reaching Ship Cove, near 
the entrance of West Bay. Although the bowsprit 
nearly touched the branches of the trees which over- 
hung the water, we could find no bottom with seven- 
teen fathoms of line ; so we lay till morning, lifting on 
the long swell which rolled in from the north. It 
was one of those bright clear moonlight nights so 
highly to be enjoyed in New Zealand ; and I sat till a 
late hour on the deck, listening to the shrill twittering 
of the night-birds as they flew across from hill to hill, 
or the gentle washing of the sea on the beaches and 
rocks, which gleamed in the moonlight, or lay hidden 
beneath the tufted foliage. When I rose in the morn- 
ing, we had got a fair wind, and were about half-way 
between Cape Koumaru and Point Jackson. I liere 
calculated our course for JVanganui, and steered 
straight for the mouth of the river. Mr. Wicksteed 
much enjoyed the comprehensive view afforded of the 
noble scenery of Cook's Strait. 
The next morning at break of day, we were off the 
river's mouth ; from which a cloud of mist was drifting 
out before the cold morning land-breeze. The sea was 
quite smooth ; so I beat up into the fog till the water 
shoaled, and then anchored in nine feet until I could 
make out the passage over the bar. The peaks of 
Tonga Riro, glowing with sunshine, towered over the 
top of the mist as we advanced, and Mount Egmont's 
snowy cap peeped out of the clouds to the westward 
as the sun spread his light that way. I had merci- 
