NEW ZEALANDERS. 349 
the consequence of such an appeal, took refuge 
among the high fern, and effectually concealed 
herself. A female relative of the deceased child 
called out to the slave, assuring her she should be 
spared. The poor creature made her appearance, 
when the brother of the child was called, and im¬ 
mediately despatched the slave with a stone 
implement. 
Although their character is so dark, their 
temper so ferocious, and their conduct so violent 
and murderous, in some respects their dispositions 
appear more humane and amiable than those of 
the Tahitians. To the catalogue of their vices 
and their cruelties they did not add that deli¬ 
berate systematic infanticide, which the Areois 
practised ; and though not guiltless of this 
crime, it was exercised less frequently, and some 
of them, especially the fathers, seemed fond of 
their children. A pleasing illustration of this 
occurred while I was among them ; and I mention 
it the more cheerfully, as the general impression 
their spirit and behaviour made upon my mind was 
of a different kind. 
In an excursion to Waikadie, shortly after 
leaving the Bay of Islands, we reached Kauakaua, 
where Mr. Hall proposed to land. As we ap¬ 
proached the shore, no trace of inhabitants 
appeared; but we had scarcely landed, when we 
were somewhat surprised by the appearance of 
Tetoro, and a number of his people. The chief 
ran to meet us, greeting us in English, with 
“ How do you do ?” He perceived I was a 
stranger, and, on hearing my errand and desti¬ 
nation, he offered me his hand, and saluted me, 
according to the custom of his country, by touch¬ 
ing my nose with his. He was a tall, fine-looking 
