HONGI. 
311 
never failed to show his disgust, and even indignation. A 
striking instance of this occurred at a gentleman’s house, where 
a large party had been invited to meet the Chiefs. Hongi had 
assumed all the airs of a superior, and had acted the prince, 
which he well knew how to do, until he observed some ladies 
evidently tracing the lines upon his tattooed face, whilst a 
smile played on their own, which he thought implied a feeling 
of pity towards himself. Immediately he arose in a state 
of great excitement, threw himself across three chairs, and 
covering his face with his hands, remained in that position 
until the company left.* 
These Chiefs met with many kind friends, who made them 
liberal presents of arms and ammunition, as injudiciously as 
the King, who little thought what miseries, murders, and 
enormities they were thus giving rise to. 
As winter approached, Hongi was seized with an affection 
of the chest, which reduced him to a very precarious state ; a 
blister was recommended, which for a long time he would not 
suffer to be applied, but when it was at last, and yielded him 
speedy relief, he said he would not quit the country until he 
was supplied with a pot full of that valuable medicine. When 
they were sufficiently restored to health, the Government 
granted them a passage to New South Wales. 
On their arrival in Sydney, they disposed of the more 
useful gifts they had received from their Christian friends, 
such as tools and implements of agriculture, and with the 
proceeds enlarged their stock of gunpowder and shot. Whilst 
they remained in the colony, they took up their abode at the 
house of Mr. Marsden, where they met with Hinaki and 
another Chief, who had taken their passage to London. Mr. 
Marsden having perceived the bad effect Hongi’s visit had 
produced, in fixing his desires upon war, as a means of ac¬ 
quiring that power which he longed for, in order to be a great 
man, like King George, dissuaded Hinaki from proceeding; 
and hearing how very ill Hongi had been, he at once com¬ 
plied with his wish, and agreed to return to New Zealand 
with Hongi and Waikato. Whilst they were all thus living 
* See Life of Rev. S. Leigh, page 124. 
