Page:Some Account of New Zealand.pdf/85

66 alone will prevent him from carrying his threat into execution.

The spear, the common instrument of destruction in use all over the pacific ocean, is also employed here, and is nearly thirty feet long: it is made of hard wood, and is sometimes pointed at each extremity, but not universally. The natives, by indefatigable practice, are particularly expert in throwing this weapon.

The battle-axe is also made of hard wood, and is about five feet in length: the head is nearly semicircular, and about eight inches in diameter; the edge of which is made moderately sharp: the extremity of the handle, it is all of one piece of wood, is pointed, and intended to be used as a pike occasionally.

When acting on the defensive, they are very dexterous in turning off a spear with the battle-axe.

The waddy I before spoke of is intended to be used at close quarters, as a sort of tomahawk.