singing, but Lucy was never able to get a correct copy, though she tried several times.

As soon as the canoe came opposite the bank where the settlers and the three pioneers stood, every paddle ceased, and they drifted slowly along to the landing-place, a priest standing up and shouting a charm; then, as soon as they touched land, the crew all scrambled out, and rushed to their friends, who hastened to meet them. Then followed a most wonderful scene to European eyes, the new comers hanging round the three natives who had come first, howling as if they were dreadfully unhappy or in bodily agony, and shedding floods of tears all the time; altogether making so much noise that Mrs. Graham was glad to put her hands over her ears, and wait until their welcome was

over.

At last they seemed to have exhausted their tears, and I suppose feeling tired themselves, thought they would like something to eat, so down they went to the boat, and began unpacking the remainder of their provisions, which they ate up; then unpacked the things they intended to sell to Captain Graham. These were fowls, pigs, different native vegetables, mats, and bunches of flax.

The mats were very curious, and often very pretty. They are made of the flax, and are dyed different colours, and even ornamented with borders and figures. One mat will sometimes take five or even seven years to make, the preparation of the flax and weaving both being very difficult, as the New Zealanders do it all with sharpened shells and little pieces of wood. They value these mats very highly, and it is often impossible to tempt them to part with one. Captain Graham knew this, so did not

mean to make an offer for them. Seeing this, the natives consulted, and after a good deal of discussion, the chief came forward and said—

"English brother, The sun over our heads shines upon the Maori and the stranger. The kumara is born in April for both, and the rain falls and the soft wind blows, and does not turn away from the stranger. Therefore, let the stranger be friends with the Maori; let them live as brothers. The Maori will bring his wives and children, and dwell near the home of the stranger, that they may plant and eat together. Behold, brother, the Maori is generous. He gives these mats for your comfort, and

asks only love in return."

Captain Graham translated this to the children, who were delighted, and could not understand why their parents looked sorry about the natives coming to live near, or why their father and mother should consult so anxiously about it before they accepted the pretty mats. At last Lucy went up to her mother and whispered

"Oh! Mamma, let them come. We'll have a school and teach the poor little children, and when George comes he'll preach to them in the school-room. And, perhaps, Beatrice says, there will be a church built. Oh! Mamma, do let the poor creatures come."

Lucy's advice turned the scale in favour of the natives, and Captain Graham made a speech to them, telling them they were welcome. This delighted them greatly. I suppose if they had been Englishmen they would have given three cheers, but, being New Zealanders, they all began to weep for joy.

CHAPTER XX.

The Natives build Houses-Arrival of the Chief-Tom is sent forThe Agent's Advice to Tom-Death of the Agent.

THERE was a great deal of discussion among the natives as to where they should build their Pah, or village; and at last they fixed upon a small hill, about a mile from Captain Graham's house, and then a part of them returned to their old Pah, to take the good news to their friends, and bring them back with them. It was wonderful how quickly the few men left built up their houses or huts, which were just the same kind as Tom saw on his way from Nelson to Christchurch.

When they had completed twelve houses, some of them proposed building the fence, or fortifications, round the group; but the chief would not hear of it, saying that their English brother had no fence to guard him, and that they were in no greater danger than he was; so, they contented themselves with a railing, like that round Tom's garden.

At last, the whole preparation being completed, a mes. senger was despatched to the tribe; and, in a few days, three canoes arrived, crammed with men, women, children, pigs, poultry, etc., etc. The Grahams were all down at the river, to see them disembark.

ARRIVAL OF THE NATIVES.

143

A strange sight it was, and one that none of them will ever forget. First came the chief's canoe, a very large one, decorated with an imposing figure-head, which was covered with gay feathers, beads, and carving, and had a very magnificent effect. In this canoe were the chief's six wives, his children, and all his property. Besides this, were several warriors, and their wives and families.

This canoe touched the shore first, and, as usual, every one wept and howled, while the little children, those, at least who were too young to know their proper behaviour, according to New Zealand fashion, ran about like wild. goats, then gathered round our friends, staring in utter amazement at their dress.

Aps was very sorry for their having no clothes on, and wanted his Mamma very much to let him go home for some of his, nor could he at all understand her when she told him they preferred going without clothes, and had never worn any. I believe Aps, after this, thought, in his own mind, they were some kind of monkeys, and actually asked Tom, that night, "If all monkeys had tails."

The ladies of the tribe soon made friends with Mrs. Graham, and crowded round her, examining her dress, with many exclamations of wonder and admiration. Having satisfied this part of their curiosity, they set off for the village, leaving the canoes upon the bank of the river.

It did not take many days to settle the New Zealanders in their new abode, or to open a regular trade between them and Captain Graham; and, very soon, other settlers near began to deal with them too, thus establishing something very like a regular weekly market, by the gains of which the natives soon began to grow quite rich.

You must not be astonished to hear of these ignorant people understanding the art of buying and selling; for the fact is, they are by nature first-rate traders, and the most uncivilized among them will display the greatest caution before he settles upon the article he is in search of. For instance, if he wants a blanket, he will go from one shop to another, asking the price, and then, finding the cheapest, he will begin again at the highest, and go on examining each blanket in succession, until he fixes. upon the thickest, and, even then, he frequently consults several friends before he ventures upon purchasing. Indeed, it seems that the natives of New Zealand are capital traders, and are very seldom deceived into getting a bad article for their money; and it so followed that the little village became quite rich. Yet, still they were not Christians, and Lucy and Beatrice talked over plan after plan to teach them; but, unfortunately, when they told their father and mother, there were strong objections to each.

Autumn, or, as it would have been called, in England, spring, was now nearly passed, and winter beginning, which, although not cold enough to kill the flowers and green leaves, is a season. The ground was being dug up for a fresh supply of seeds. A few crocuses and snowdrops, which the children insisted upon planting, to try and look like winter, were begining to show their points above the ground; the birds had ceased to sing in the early morning, and, altogether, there was just change enough to show that winter was truly coming, at least, all the winter there ever is in New Zealand; but, with it, many changes were coming too. A messenger arrived, post-haste, with a letter from Christchurch, begging Captain Graham to take