NEW ZEALANDERS. 
357 
not think he intended to injure me. The New 
Zealanders are fond of endeavouring to alarm 
strangers, and appear to derive much satisfaction 
in witnessing the indications of fear they are able 
to excite. 
A number of tribes from different parts of the 
Bay being now at Rangehoo, the evening was 
devoted to public sports on the sea beach, which 
most of the strangers attended. Several of their 
public dances seemed immoral in their tendency, 
but in general they were distinguished by the 
violent gestures and deafening vociferations of the 
performers. No part of the sports, however, ap¬ 
peared so interesting to the natives, as a sham 
fight, in which the warriors wore their full dresses, 
bore their usual weapons, and went through the 
different movements of actual engagement. 
Shungee, or, according to the modern ortho¬ 
graphy of the Missionaries, ’Honghi, with his 
numerous dependants and allies, formed one 
party, and were ranged on the western side of the 
beach, below the Missionaries’ dwelling. The 
chief wore several mats or short cloaks, of various 
sizes and texture, exquisitely manufactured with 
the native flax, one of them ornamented with 
small shreds of dog’s skin, with the hair adhering 
to it; these were fastened round his neck, while 
in his girdle he wore a patupatu, and carried a 
musket in his hand. His party were generally 
armed with clubs, and spears nine or ten feet 
long. 
Their antagonists were ranged on the opposite 
side of the beach. At a signal given, they ran 
violently towards each other, halted, and then, 
amidst shouts and clamour, rushed into each 
others’ ranks, some brandishing their clubs, others 
