ds, the captain being anxious, if possible, to make the
entrance of Cook's Straits, should he be unable to reach the more
northern settlement of Auckland. At that time the natives of many parts
of New Zealand were in open hostility with the settlers, and he was
therefore unwilling to run the risk of landing on any other part of the
coast.

The stormy weather still continued, but at length a slant of wind from
the westward enabled the schooner to lay her course. Water and
provisions were running fearfully short, and her passengers and crew
were already beginning to feel the effects of their scanty fare. Many
anxious eyes kept a lookout for land. The thick weather had prevented
an observation from being taken for three days. Willy had the morning
watch with Bill Windy. As the day broke, and the sun, rapidly rising
above the horizon, shed its beams across the foaming sea, they lighted
up the snowy summits of a range of mountains. "Land! land!" he shouted.

"You are right, Mr Dicey; but I am afraid it's a long way from
Auckland," observed Bill Windy.

The deck was soon crowded with eager spectators. As the sun rose
higher, and the little vessel sailed onwards, the intermediate lower
shore could clearly be perceived. The vessel stood on till the mouth of
a harbour of sufficient size to admit the schooner appeared ahead. Sail
was shortened, that she might approach it cautiously, and a bright
look-out kept ahead for sunken reefs. Captain Westerway was in hopes
that, by going in, even though no settlers might be there, he would be
enabled to obtain a supply of water, as well as wild-fowl or other
birds, to support the people till some more hospitable place could be
reached. The schooner, under easy sail, sounding as she went, entered
the little harbour, and after making several tacks, brought up at no
great distance from the shore. It was a lovely spot, and the eyes of
all were gladdened by a sparkling stream which ran down the hillside.
The boat was lowered, the empty casks were put into her, and Charles
Dicey, with two other gentlemen, carrying their fowling-pieces, went on
shore.

How delicious was their first ample draught of water! A cask being
filled, they sent back the boat with it to the ship while they filled
the others. This done, they proceeded over the hills in search of game.
They had not gone far before they perceived, in a little cove that was
not seen from the deck of the vessel, several large