CHAP. XIII

Summary

A Breeze springing up from the northwest on Saturday the 14th, and which would have prevented us from entering the harbour of Wangeroa, we resolved to alter our course, and steer back for the river Thames; thus affording Korra-korra the highest gratification, for he had an insuperable objection to visit George and his tribe, though he consented to accompany us. We therefore weighed anchor at ten A. M. and sailing close in with the shore, found ourselves at five P. M. off Cape Brett, the course from the Cavalles to this place being due east. Duaterra's people were a source of constant amusement to us the whole way; they indulged in play and merriment among each other with the most perfect good humour; and though in their trials of strength they frequently threw each other down, and brandished their patoo patoos, as if going to dash one another's brains out, still no accident occurred, and it never provoked any thing like a serious contest on either side. Eight of these warriors throwing off their mats, commenced singing and dancing; the appearance they made was singularly ludicrous, but too indecent for me to give a description of it in detail.

Korra-korra and his people sung a very plaintive dirge, composed, as he told me, to commemorate the tragical death of a man belonging to his tribe; who being killed by some people from the river Thames, had his head taken off, and his body cut up into small pieces, and thus devoured.