318 
TAREHA. 
he was opportunely rejoiced with the sight of his returning 
comrades. This man, many years afterwards, told me the 
tale, and said he should never forget his horror at the sight of 
that huge savage, and the sound of his fearful voice. 
In after 'times, when his cannibal feasts were well nigh 
terminated, and he himself pretty well advanced in years, a 
whale was announced as having been thrown up on the coast 
near his abode; the news reached him on a Saturday evening, 
and fearful lest the dainty dish should be consumed by others, 
he gave notice, as the next day was the Sabbath, he should 
go and guard it himself, that no one should have any of it 
until the Monday. On the Monday, I had the curiosity to 
go and see the huge fish. I found Tareha encamped close 
to it, and a large assembly of natives a little further oft', 
patiently waiting, I suppose, until the lion had taken his 
share. And although he would not allow others to partake 
of it during the Sabbath, I found he had devoured an entire 
fin himself. When I paid him a visit, he was eating potatoes, 
and squeezing a large lump of blubber over them as a relish, 
the putrid oil quite tainting the air.* 
This Chief died a heathen ; but his son Te Akira, who was 
also of large proportions, was afterwards baptized by the name 
of “King William.” 
* The natives are not so susceptible of smell as we are. In their savage 
state, putrid substances do not appear to be nauseous to them, but they become 
so as they are more civilized, and assimilated to us in manners. So also, in 
their natural state, they have a peculiar odour, which is very perceptible to 
sensitive nostrils. This appears common to all, however cleanly in their 
habits. The same has been remarked of the American Indians; and it is 
singular, that the Christians of the mediaeval ages, thought that the Infidels 
or Saracens had a similar smell, and still more, that they should have pleaded 
guilty to the charge; and further, that they should have entertained the same 
idea as the Christians, that it was lost by baptism. The early travellers make 
frequent mention of Saracens bringing their children to be baptized, for this 
wholesome purpose. Baptism, however, does not appear so efficacious in New 
Zealand. Hue, in his travels through China, also alludes to this, and states 
that the Chinese have naturally a strong smell of musk. 
