Page:Some Account of New Zealand.pdf/23

6 no danger is to be apprehended from standing very near in with them. A prudent navigator of course need not be told that the lead ought to be kept going.

It is advisable not to suffer any natives to come on board until the ship is brought to an anchor, as the novelty of their appearance is liable to take off the attention of the seamen from their duty, independently of their being much in the way during the working the ship.

When the ship is brought to an anchor it would be unfriendly to prevent their coming on board in moderate numbers; but it would be always prudent to be provided with fire-arms, and other means of defence, as at least one instance has occurred of their attempting to take a ship. Indeed, if appearances induced them to believe that there was a probability of their attempt succeeding, it is scarcely to be expected that they would not make it. The means of supplying themselves with an article they covet above all others, might