THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
137 
born. It was to no purpofe that I endeavoured to con- , 777 . 
vince thefe people of the improbability, or rather of the , _ Feumir/l 
impoffibility, of thefe youths ever returning home. Not 
one, not even their neareft relations, feemed to trouble 
themfelves about their future fate. Since this w r as the cafe, 
and I was well fatisfied that the boys would be no lofers 
by exchange of place, I the more readily gave my confent 
to their going. 
From my own obfervations, and from the information 
of Taweiharooa and others, it appears to me that the New 
Zealanders mull live under perpetual apprehenfions of be¬ 
ing deftroyed by each other; there being few of their tribes 
that have not, as they think, fuftained wrongs from fome 
other tribe, which they are continually upon the w'atch to 
revenge. And, perhaps, the delire of a good meal may be 
no fmall incitement. I am told that many years will fome- 
times elapfe, before a favourable opportunity happens, and 
that the fon never lofes fight of an injury that has been 
done to his father. Their method of executing their hor¬ 
rible defigns, is by healing upon the adverfe party in the 
night; and if they find them unguarded (which, however, 
I believe, is very feldom the cafe), they kill every one indif- 
criminately; not even lparing the women and children. 
When the maffacre is completed, they either feafl and gorge 
themfelves on the fpot, or carry off as many of the dead 
bodies as they can, and devour them at home, with abts of 
brutality too fhocking to be defcribed. If they are difco- 
vered before they can execute their bloody purpofe, they 
generally fleal off again; and fometimes are purfued and 
attacked by the other party, in their turn. To give quarter, 
or to take prifoners, makes no part of their military law; 
fo that the vanquifhed can only fave their lives by flight. 
Voi.. I. T This 
