of the rock, where it was firmly bedded. About
midship we rested on a rock below, on which
each wave that dashed on our stern and broke
over us raised the vessel, and let her drop with
such force that we feared she would part in
two. The spars swung and shivered with the
concussion, threatening to fall about our ears,
and the sails, which no one ventured aloft to
furl, began to lash the yards and fly in shreds,
whilst the parting stays menaced us with tottering
masts. Our only trust was that the vessel
would hold together till daylight. The supposed
cloud seen by the mate proved to be the
Penryhn Islands, laid down on every chart, and
mentioned particularly by Wilks."

The natives board the vessel; the crew get
safely to shore, but are not ill treated. Gradually
they become friends with these primitive people.
Lamont is soon a general favourite, and, seeing
no chance of escape, gives up the idea after
several attempts, and makes himself at home as
best he can, becoming the adopted son of one
of the chieftains. The name of that portion of
the island upon which the Chatham was
wrecked is called Mangerongaro. The island
is from four to five miles long, and about a
quarter of a mile broad. The description of
the habits and customs of these islanders cannot
fail to be read with interest; but we have only
space for a few extracts. Gradually Lamont,
who had been adopted by a chief, with his
numerous savage relations, visits all the islands,
helps his friends in their warfare, and keeps up
his dignity by occasionally treating them with
contempt. Here is not a bad description of a
young savage's home:

"I had scarcely left my hut," he says, "when
Turua (a young chief) came running forward,
and pressed me, with his winning smile, to
accompany him. This I did with pleasure, and
he led the way by a path I had not before seen,
through the centre of the island. The densest
portion of the grove he pointed to with evident
marks of satisfaction, as the trees were all
loaded with fruit; and the district through
which I was passing I was informed was mine,
because I knew it was his."

Lamont had already succeeded in
understanding the natives, and making himself
understood. What high standard of civilisation can
beat those hospitable words of Turua, a young
naked savage of the Penryhn Islands?

"So dense was the shade here, that the sky
was completely obscured from our view, and it
was only when I had arrived at a neatly
gravelled space that I observed a house, to
which our path led. A little girl was busily
engaged preparing a native oven, and a young
woman was sitting in front of the house, with
her head down, scraping some fruit. Neither
observed us till we were close upon them. On
seeing us the young woman, who proved to be
Ocura (the young chieftain's wife), dropped the
food she was preparing, and, clapping her
hands, advanced timidly, and saluted me. She
then ran into the house, and spread mats for us
to sit on.

"Ocura, when she married Turua, was one
of the richest heiresses in Omuka, being the
daughter of a great chief, not only in that place
but also in Matunga. All the property came
from her; for Turua, being a younger son, was
not at all wealthy. Ocura was very ambitious,
and was always stimulating her husband to take
a more leading part in the affairs of the nation
than he felt his position warranted, or his natural
diffidence would allow.

"Supper was at last announced by the little
girl. Turua sprang up one of the nearest trees
like a monkey. These people climb better than
any of the other islanders I had seen; and soon
a few shocks on the ground told the little girl
that the 'muco mucos' had fallen, when she
immediately ran and fetched them to the house.
These young nuts are easily skinned, and, the
tops being broken off, a delicious beverage is
ready prepared by the hand of nature; for there
is no more refreshing drink than the water of
the young green cocoa-nut, with its cool and
slightly tart vegetable taste. The blackened
fish-bowls were opened, and proved to contain
my favourite ruchè. A shell of 'neu oora,'
smoking hot, was brought in, and when the
upper cover was removed, the little leaf was
seen spread on the top to prevent the dust
entering by the eye of the upper shell—a
precaution that is taken only by very exemplary
housekeepers. After washing her beautiful little
hands in water poured on them from the eye of
a large entire shell, used as a water-jug, Ocura
brought down a small bag of fine matting, and
from a number of pearl tuès, or Penryhn spoons,
selected one brightly polished on the back as
well as front, but not much improved by some
rude carving on it. A greater treat was in
reserve for me, namely, a couple of cooked
'utos' (apple of the growing nut), which I
pretended not to know. After trying a piece,
however, I suddenly clapped my hands in their
own fashion, and, placing one hand over my
mouth, exclaimed, 'Ka oaia, su more!' (Good
Heavens, how delightful!), at which Turua
burst into a loud laugh, and Ocura, in her
delight, threw herself before me and kissed my
feet."

At Tokeraù our narrator is offered a fine
buxom young woman, of about twenty, called
Roberau Shè, as a wife, and has some difficulty
in avoiding matrimony.

At last he is driven into that happy state, and
marries "Haka Moè Kokara," alias "the
Sweet Sleeper." She is thus described: "She
had large dark eyes, animated with a brilliant
expression; her nose was small and straight,
and when her bright lips were parted showed
exquisite teeth, whilst her long black dishevelled
tresses fell over and partially enveloped her
graceful form."

Rubbing noses is the friendly mode of greeting
between lovers and acquaintances. Our
author's nose must have suffered considerably.
The portrait of Chera Puna is a pretty picture;
but in his third wife, Haka Puta, Lamont found
a devoted companion.