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It chanced that there was an old woman, with a roasted dog in her arms, just outside of the hut. I ran violently against her, and she and the roasted dog, rolled over and over on the ground. A great cry was now raised, and at least twenty women, set out in full chase.

Accustomed to active exercise, these women

ran with considerable speed. But I easily kept before them. Some of them, however, picked up stones and sticks as they ran, and hurled them at me with great swiftness. One of the stones hit my shoulder, but it did not hurt me much.

I continued my flight and was soon at a distance from the whole pack, who, however, came yelling along behind. When I got upon the hill near the shore, I saw with inexpressible delight, that the vessel was at anchor, at no great distance.

The savages, to the amount of fifty or sixty, stood along the beach; but I resolved to rush through them, plunge into the water, and take my chance of escape by swimming. Accordingly, I set out to run down the hill that sloped

to the water.

I had proceeded about half way, when the savages discovered me. Several of them came

toward me, and placed themselves in a situation to stop me. When I came pretty near them however, I turned a little aside, and passed them.

I had nearly reached the shore, when a tall savage placed himself immediately before me, with a club in his hand. Knowing that my life depended upon the exertion of that moment, I sprang upon him, and striking him in the breast with both my fists, I laid him sprawling upon the ground.

Not stopping to look round, I leaped from a rock into the water, and swam for my life. Several stones thrown by the savages, came plashing around me. But a boat was immediately put off from the vessel, and I reached it in safety.

CHAPTER XVII.

The ship leaves New Zealand. More about the people. Massacre of Marion and his companions. Story of John Rutherford.

WHEN I reached the boat, I was very much exhausted, and for two or three hours I could hardly speak. Immediately after I got on board the ship, the sails were hoisted, and we

began our voyage to England. I learned that soon after I fell over the precipice, considerable search was made for me; but at length night set in, and the prospect of a storm obliged the commander of the vessel to put to sea, lest she should be driven upon the rocks in the gale.

As soon as the storm was over, he returned to the island, and thus I escaped. If I had been left with these barbarous people, it is probable they would have killed me, and eaten my flesh.

There are Missionaries now at New Zealand, and they are teaching the people that it is their duty to be kind, gentle, forgiving, industrious, and charitable. It is very pleasant to know that they listen to the missionaries, and are beginning to see the advantages of being Christians, rather than savages.

I will now tell you one or two stories, which will show you the character of these islanders, and enable you to perceive how great a blessing Christianity will be to them.

A great many navigators have been sent by the English and French governments, at various times, to make discoveries in the Pacific ocean. Captain Cook, whom I have mentioned before, came to New Zealand two or three times.

Several other voyagers came here, and had considerable intercourse with the natives.

In the year 1771, a French captain, named Marion, with two ships, sailed into the Pacific

ocean.

On the 10th of February 1772, he touched at Van Diemen's Land, and proceeding eastward, he reached New Zealand on the 24th of March following.

It was sometime before he could find a place where he might approach the shore in safety. But at length, he cast anchor near the southeastern part of the northern island. The natives then came off to the vessels, and the most friendly intercourse with them commenced.

The French officers and men went ashore, and visited the villages, and were everywhere received with the greatest kindness. Marion himself, was treated with particular attention. Such, indeed, was the apparent friendship and hospitality of the savages, that the French people had no idea of danger.

But on the 12th of June, Marion went on shore, taking with him sixteen persons. The evening came, and they did not return. This made the people on board the ships a little

uneasy, but they waited till morning. Still Marion and his party did not come back

Then a boat was sent ashore with twelve men. They were received by the natives with every mark of affection. But when they were a little separated, the savages suddenly fell upon them, threw them upon the ground, and beat out their brains with their war clubs. One of the twelve only escaped. In the confusion, he ran to some bushes, and hid himself there.

From his hiding place, he saw the dead bodies of his companions cut up into pieces, and divided among the people, who carried them away. He then ran down to the water and swam to the ship, and gave an account of these horrid deeds.

The people in the ships had now no doubt that Marion and his companions had been murdered. Accordingly, a boat, with a number of armed men, was sent ashore to give notice of what had happened to about sixty Frenchmen, who were cutting down wood for the ship

As soon as the officer who commanded them heard of it, he led his men away to the boats. They were followed by a multitude of savages, yelling and shouting in the most frightful man

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