Plate XVI. The Head of a Chief of New-Zealand, the face curiously tataowd, or mark'd, according to their Manner.

In the afternoon, more canoes came to us. Some of the people in them were disfigured in a very strange manner, they brandished their arms, and shewed signs of contempt, while the rest paddled hard to overtake us; and, at length, attempted to board us. The captain ordered one of the men to fire a musket over them, which they did not regard. A great gun, loaded with grape shot, was fired, which made them drop astern; but whether any of them were wounded, we could not discover. Several of the canoes had outriggers; and one of them had a very curious piece of ornamental carving at the head of it.

At this time we were doubling the west point of the land, formed by a small high island, and got into very foul ground, the soundings being from seven to thir-teen fathoms, and were afraid of running upon it, but we happily escaped. After we had doubled this island, which was called Portland Isle, or, according to the natives, Teahowray, we got into a sort of large bay, and, the night coming on, we thought it best to drop anchor, designing, next morning, to make for a harbour in the corner of the bay, where there was the appearance of an inlet. Most of the country in view makes in flat table-hills, with cliffs of a white clay toward the sea. In the evening, several of the natives came, in two canoes, to visit us: they seemed to be more friendly than the former; but were, however, so frightened, that we could not persuade them to come on board: we offered them various things, which they kindly accepted.

On the 14th, we made for the inlet, which we saw the night before, and, on coming up to it, found that it was not sheltered, having only some low land at the bottom of it. Ten canoes, filled with people, chaced us; but our ship sailing too fast for them, they were obliged to give over the pursuit.

Voyaging Accounts