Volltext Seite (XML)
306 A THUNDER STORM. Passing successively the native villages of Kaupo on the left bank, and of Turua on the right, we continued our course rapidly, with a fair wind. Opposite the latter village, where the river is very broad, the natives hailed us with loud shouts, to which we paid no attention; conse quently, in order, we suppose, to attract our notice more surely, they fired their muskets, loaded as usual with balls, one or two of which fell, we thought, a short distance astern of us. We, however, continued our progress, in tending to stop at the settlement of Mr. M'Askall, who had expended a good deal of capital in the purchase of land, and was then erecting a saw mill on the banks of the Hikutaiah, on which we subsequently bestowed the name of the “ Hobson,” the first tributary which the Thames receives. Night was already fast closing in, the wind blew freshly, and with a rushing sound through the woods and swamps on either side; and we were from time to time startled by numerous wild ducks, which rose at every twenty yards. Rain, thunder, and light ning, soon contributed to our discomfort, and worse than all, it became so dark that we could discern nothing but the indistinct outline of the tall trees. Fortunately the wind was strong, and with the aid of our foresail, we stemmed the current—I steering, whilst my companion sat in the boat s bows, to guard against the risk of staving her crazy timbers against drift wood or snags. At length we reached the junction of the Hikutaiah, and soon heard the voices of the natives, among whom Mr. M‘Askall was living, and by the blaze of torches we effected a landing opposite to his abode. A few days after my arrival at Mr. M'Askall’s, there arrived a small schooner, of twenty tons burden, with