THREATENED INVASION BY HONGI.
We had passed some months here, and were beginning to look out for the
return of our brig, to take us again into civilised society, when we were
once more thrown into alarm by a threatened invasion. A rumour was
circulated in the village that Hongi, who now lay at the point of death,
had declared that he would make one last glorious effort before he
expired. He was resolved (it was reported) to collect his warriors,
overcome George and his followers, possess himself of Kororarika, and die
upon the conquered territory of his enemy; and I had no doubt that in his
moment of delirium such had been his exclamations, as it had always been
one of his favourite projects. When this was reported to George, he
immediately came to us, and with a most doleful countenance told us we
must take care of ourselves; for, if the report proved true, he was much
too weak to protect us. This certainly caused us some alarm, but,
fortunately for us, a good-sized whaler, the Marianne, was then lying at
anchor in the port, having arrived but a few days previously. The
presence of a ship, all over the world, is felt as a protection to
Europeans, as in case of danger it is a sure place of refuge.
King George sent off his messengers in every direction to inform his
friends and dependants of the threats uttered against him by Hongi, and
the next day eight large war canoes, filled with warriors, came to his
assistance. They landed at some distance from the beach, and, as it was
late in the day, they would not make their public _entree_ till the next
morning; for the New Zealanders are very fond of giving a grand effect to
all their public meetings. I determined to pay them a visit, to witness
the ceremonies of the night bivouack, which proved a most picturesque
scene, and wild and beautiful in the extreme. Their watch fires glanced
upon the dark skins of these finely formed men, and on their bright
weapons. Some groups were dancing; others were lying round a fire,
chanting wild songs, descriptive of former wars; whilst the graver elders
sat in a circle, and discussed the present state of affairs. All were
delighted to see me, and each group offered to share their fire and
provisions with the "white visitor," as they termed me.
The next morning these auxiliary forces were seen descending the hills to
our village; and, in order to return the compliment, we all went in our
best array to receive them. There were upwards of two hundred athletic,
naked savages, each armed with his firelock, and marching with the utmost
regularity. The chiefs took the lead. The alarm such a sight might have
created was dissipated by the certainty that they came as our protectors.
I even imagined their countenances were not so ferocious as usual but as
they approached near to our party, the usual sham fight began,
accompanied by the war dance, and although I expected it, and indeed had
come for the purpose of witnessing it, it was conducted with so much fury
on both sides, that at length I became quite horrified, and for some
time could not divest myself of the feeling that our visitors were
playing false, so closely did this mock combat resemble a real one. The
dreadful noises, the hideous faces, the screeching of the women, and the
menacing gestures of each party, were so calculated to inspire terror,
that stouter hearts than mine might have felt fear. When the tumult
subsided, the elder chiefs squatted down, and had the long talk usual on
these occasions.
I was much delighted to recognise among these chiefs one I had known at
Sydney. During his residence in that city I had permitted him to remain
in my house, and the few presents which he had requested on his return to
his own country I had provided him with, and sent him off delighted and
happy, and never expected to behold him again. The moment I approached he
recollected me, jumped up from the "council," ran up to me, hugged me in
his arms, and rubbed noses so forcibly with me that I felt his friendship
for some time, besides being daubed all over most plentifully with red
ochre, which he, being then on a war-like and ceremonious visit, was
smeared with from head to foot.
When my savage friend (whom we used to call Mr. Tookee) had overcome his
first burst of delight at seeing me, and had literally left off jumping
for joy, he introduced me to his father, Mr. De Frookee, the chief of his
tribe, a very fine specimen of an old New Zealander, who was (I found)
highly respected for his integrity and benevolence. His eyes overflowed
with tears when he heard I was the person who had shown such kindness to
his son at Sydney. I soon felt quite "at home" with the old chief, and
experienced the good effect of having kept my word with this uncultivated
savage. I had, at the time I presented him with the gifts, been much
laughed at by my acquaintances at Sydney for putting myself to such
unnecessary expense; but, from the gratitude he displayed for the
trifling services I had then rendered him, I felt assured he and his
companions would do all in their power to protect me from every danger.
A long discussion was now carried on, one speaker at a time occupying the
oblong space round which the warriors sat, and the more animated the
debate, the faster ran the speaker to and fro, flourishing his hatchet in
a most dexterous manner. The instant one speaker finishes, another starts
up to answer him; but previous to rising they throw a mat or blanket over
their shoulders, and arrange it most tastefully around them; and, as
their attitudes are all striking and graceful, and a great part of the
figure is left exposed, it forms a study for an artist, well worth his
going many miles to witness, and invariably reminded me of the fine
models of antiquity.
As a painter, I conceive that this must have been the great secret of the
perfection to which the Greek and Roman sculptors brought their works; as
they constantly contemplated the display of the human form in all its
beauty in their various gymnastic exercises, which enabled them to
transfer to marble such ease and elegance as we, living in an age of
coats and breeches, never shall be able to rival.
After the important subjects had been settled by the elders, the young
men assembled without their weapons, and began another kind of sham
fight, one grappling with another, till hundreds of them were locked in
each other's arms, and were flung in heaps in every direction. After
they were tired of this pastime, a regular ring was formed, and a
wrestling match began, which was carried on in as regular and fair a
manner as a boxing match in our own country, and as much skill and
cunning were displayed in the art of throwing as the greatest connoisseur
would desire. I was pleased, also, to observe that, whatever happened
(and some most severe throws and blows passed), nothing could disturb
their good humour.
This party, having remained for seven days on our beach, and not hearing
anything more of our intended invaders, their provisions also becoming
rather scarce, took leave in order to return to their own district,
placing scouts to give them quick intelligence of the movements of the
enemy.