e of
loving labour, taking refuge in a cave; for not even the knowledge that
the mountain itself seemed to be in the throes of dissolution could
entirely destroy their trust in those apparently eternal fastnesses.
Here their eldest son died, worried to death by incessant terror. At
last a passing whaler, remembering them and seeing the condition of
things, had the humanity and courage to stand in near enough to see
their agonized signals of distress. All of them, except the son buried
but a day or two before, were safely received and carried away, leaving
the terrible mountain to its solitude.

As I listened, I almost involuntarily cast my eyes upwards; nor was I at
all surprised to see far overhead a solitary patch of smoky cloud, which
I believe to have been a sure indication that the volcano was still
liable to commence operations at any time.

So far, we had not happened upon any pigs, or goats either, although we
saw many indications of the latter odoriferous animal. There were few
sea-birds to be seen, but in and out among the dense undergrowth ran
many short-legged brown birds, something like a partridge--the same, I
believe, as we afterwards became familiar with in Stewart's Island by
the name of "Maori hens." They were so tame and inquisitive that we had
no difficulty in securing a few by the simple process of knocking
them over with sticks. From the main branch of a large tree hung a big
honey-comb, out of which the honey was draining upon the earth. Around
it buzzed a busy concourse of bees, who appeared to us so formidable
that we decided to leave them to the enjoyment of their sweet store, in
case we should invite an attack.

So far, our rambling had revealed nothing of any service to us; but just
then, struck by the appearance of a plant which was growing profusely
in a glade we were passing over, I made bold to taste one of the leaves.
What the botanical name of the vegetable is, I do not know; but, under
the designation of "Maori cabbage," it is well known in New Zealand. It
looks like a lettuce, running to seed; but it tastes exactly like young
turnip-tops, and is a splendid anti-scorbutic. What its discovery
meant to us, I can hardly convey to any one who does not know what an
insatiable craving for potatoes and green vegetables possesses seamen
when they have for long been deprived of these humble but necessary
articles of food. Under the circumstances, no "find" could have given us
greater pleasur