CHAPTER VI.

THE singular Adaptation of Agents for the Missionary Work-Mr. Leigh sails on a Voyage of Inspection-Is driven by a Storm amongst the Savages of Wangaroa-They consult, during the Night, about his being killed and eaten-Tara's Account of the Destruction of the "Boyd"-The ingenious Method by which Mr. Leigh and his Men escaped from those Cannibals— He sails for Ho-do-do-Interview with the Natives-The Ship "St. Michael" calls, on her Way to Tongataboo-The Establishment of the Mission there-Mr. Leigh's Views of Missionary Fidelity-He visits the Timber-Country-Incidents of the Journey-Preaches his first Sermon in Maori-Risks his own Life to prevent the Body of a young Man from being eatenHis last Visit to a dying Chief-Sails, in the "St. Michael," to Wangari―The Ship gets upon the Rocks, and remains in extreme Danger until Midnight-Sails for Wangaroa-Ascends the River to the Residence of Tara-Claims the Protection of Te Pune, and proceeds to establish his Mission-A Slave killed and roasted on the first Sunday-The first religious Service -The Conduct of the Natives-They are disturbed by the Arrival of a War-Party-The Terror and Danger of the MissionFamily-Melancholy Death of a hopeful young Savage-A Chief's Opinion of capital Punishment-The Purchase of the Land at Wangaroa ratified-Mechanical Labours of the Missionary-Mrs. Leigh commences an Institution for training native Females-First Instructions in the Art of Sewing-A new Era in the History of Woman in New-Zealand-Anecdote of one of Mrs. Leigh's Pupils-Moral Results of the Teaching of the Lay-Settlers of the Church and of the Wesleyan Missionary-The Lay-Settlers vindicated-New-Zealand won to the British Crown by the Church and Wesleyan Missions.

As 'Hongi had effectually closed the door against the Wesleyan mission to the River Thames and MercuryBay, by declaring it to be his intention to prosecute the war in those districts, until he had "swept the inhabitants from the earth ;" and as Ho-do-do, which he had recommended, was too distant and perilous a voyage for Mr. Leigh to undertake; he was under the necessity of reconnoitring the coast in various directions nearer home, to ascertain the temper of the natives, and the most eligible site for a permanent residence.

While thus employed, Mr. James Stack arrived from New South Wales. He was a native of Portsmouth, and his family was well known in that town. Having experienced considerable reverses in their circumstances, James and his elder brother resolved, in the spirit of self-sacrifice, to emigrate to Australia, under very encouraging auspices. His brother, who held a tutorship in a respectable academy at Portsea, had embraced religion, and become a member of the Christian church. He persuaded James to go with him to his place of worship on the Sunday evening before they sailed. Here the gospel was preached with perspicuity and power. The text selected on this occasion was Zechariah ix. 12: "Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even to-day do I declare that I will render double unto thee." This discourse made an imperishable impression upon his mind. On his arrival in the colony he was engaged in the surveying service of the government, and circumnavigated Australia. While pursuing this hazardous occupation, he experienced many remarkable deliverances both by sea and land. These displays of the Divine goodness led him to decision; and, after due consideration, he united himself to the Wesleyan church. In the year 1822, the condition of the Heathen world excited much commiseration, and the cause of missions was ably pleaded both at home and abroad. Mr. Stack, feeling an intense desire to be employed in some department of missionary service, mentioned this desire to the colonial chaplain and the resident missionary. He wished, above all things, to go to New-Zealand to assist his friend Mr. Leigh. Those gentlemen approving of his determination, and a wealthy merchant offering him, at the same time, a free passage to those islands, he regarded this concurrence of circumstances as a call of Providence. After encountering many difficulties, he reached the Bay of Islands in safety. "I am come," said he, "from a sense of duty, to share in your labours and trials, and intend to make myself useful in any occupation for which you may consider me to be qualified. My first business,

I suppose, will be to learn the language; for then I can work on the week-days, and preach Christ on the Sunday." He applied himself assiduously and successfully to the study of the native tongue, for which he seemed to have a great natural aptness. In subsequent years he was employed as the steward of the establishment, and kept an accurate account of every thing that occurred in connexion with the mission. After due trial and examination, he was admitted an assistant, and then an accredited missionary.

Mr. and Mrs. Leigh had made considerable progress in the native tongue. They wrote prayers and hymns in English; and then, by the assistance of the brethren of the Church mission, with whom they still resided, they translated them into Maori. They taught the natives to repeat those prayers and to sing those hymns; and "while thus engaged," said Mr. Leigh, "in the open air, the Lord frequently poured his blessing upon our own souls."

Being informed that several extensive and populous villages were situated near the harbour of Wangari, and that Europeans might visit them without much personal risk, Mr. Leigh hired a fisher's boat and five natives, and left home, for the purpose of examining that part of the country. For some time they had a moderate breeze; but, as night advanced, a storm came on, which drove them out to sea. The violence of the wind, the strength of the current, and the heavy waves with which they had to contend, carried them out of sight of land. The natives yielded to despondency, lay down in the bottom of the canoe, and left Mr. Leigh to manage the sail. After being tossed about till near midnight, the moon rose; and land was distinctly seen in the distance. They bore down upon it, and found themselves near the harbour of Wangaroa. They were compelled, by stress of weather, to enter, and seek protection from the sanguinary tribes inhabiting that harbour. Dr. B., of Edinburgh, had previously called, and humanely rescued the survivors of the

massacre of the crew and passengers of the ship "Boyd;" but missionary Leigh was the first European that had placed himself in the hands of those cannibals since that bloody catastrophe.

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As the night was far advanced, and the people were asleep, Mr. Leigh's natives fired off their muskets, to let them know that strangers were arrived, and that they were armed. The savages were roused from their slumbers, and, seizing their arms, came out to defend themselves, and take vengeance on their invaders. Mr. Leigh sought an interview with the chief who was present. He told him of their disastrous voyage, and begged that a hut might be appropriated to himself and his boatmen for the night. This was readily granted; and, when the hut was pointed out to him, he crept into it, and was instantly followed by his five natives. He lifted his heart to God in prayer, sat down in a corner, and fell asleep. He had been asleep but a short time, when his people awoke him by pulling his legs. They were all awake, and lay quaking with fear; while the clamour outside was tremendous. 66 Do hear?" said one of his men ; you they are quarrelling about the time for roasting and eating us to-morrow." Mr. Leigh was so exhausted, that he felt quite indifferent to either life or death: he merely replied, "They cannot touch us without the permission of the white man's God; and I am sure He has not, as yet, consented to our being either killed or eaten: lie still and sleep." He himself slept till eight o'clock next morning. At that hour he rose and breakfasted. He then read the scriptures and prayed in the open air, while surrounded by one hundred and fifty natives, who presented a wild aspect, and seemed bent upon mischief. He felt uncomfortable, and was anxious to leave the place; but how to accomplish that object he could not conceive. He knew that his safety very much depended upon his own prudence and self-possession, and that the slightest indications of either fear or haste, on his part, would lead to his instant destruction. Appearances seemed to indicate that

the

savages were preparing to attack himself and his men on their attempting to unmoor their boat. Under those circumstances he wisely asked the chief, whose name was Tārā, called by the sailors George, if he would step into the boat with him, as he was anxious to see a little more of their spacious harbour. He consented; and, after sailing a short distance, they passed the hulk of a ship deeply embedded in the sand.

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That," said Tārā, pointing to the wreck with his finger, "is all that remains of the ship 'Boyd.' The captain no good. Myself and another young chief met him at Port Jackson. He told us that he was going to our country for spars, and wished us to accompany him, and assist him in getting good ones. He was very kind at first; but, after we had been a few days at sea, he insisted on our working with the sailors. We refused to work, and told him that we were chiefs. He did not believe us, and ordered us to be flogged. I told him that, on arriving in New-Zealand, we should convince him that we were chiefs. We conducted the ship to Wangaroa; and, on landing, I told my father, who was principal chief, of the disgrace to which we had been subjected by Captain Thompson. He and the other chiefs resolved to have satisfaction; but, as there were seventy-four Europeans and five natives on board, armed with great guns and muskets, we could not, at first, conceive how it could be successfully demanded. At last it was suggested to request the captain to go on shore, and select his own timber. He manned three boats, which I piloted up the River Kaio until out of sight of the ship. I then led the captain and his people into the woods, where I detained them until the tide turned, and left their boats dry upon the bank. While Captain Thompson was looking up a lofty spar, and admiring its beauty, I cut him down with my tomahawk. The natives who were with me struck the other Europeans at the same instant, so that all fell without being able to offer the slightest resistance. They were well armed; but no one had time either to fire his