Page:Some Account of New Zealand.pdf/110

Rh ings. I therefore cannot too forcibly recommend, that in all communications with savages our conduct should be such as to leave no unfavourable impression, either of our moral character or personal qualities. A fact came to my knowledge respecting a transaction of bartering one article for another with these people, which demonstrated great want of humanity; but as I have no wish to injure the party, I shall carefully suppress its publication. I believe the heart of the man is not naturally bad, and I hope that reflecting upon the circumstance, will induce him to be more conscientious in future, upon similar occasions.

In many islands of the pacific ocean European fugitives, and others, who have been put on shore for mutinous or improper conduct, have taken up their abode: a man of this description resides in this part of New Zealand: he shuns all communication with Europeans, and on the approach of a ship retires from the coast to the interior. His country, or the motives that induce him to remain here, are un-