Kelly drew his men aft and formed them into a solid body.

When the Maoris, headed by their chief Karaka--Kelly spells it Corockar--rushed at them, the seamen beat them off, using their large sealing-knives with such effect that they killed sixteen, and cleared the decks.

The remaining natives jumped overboard.

A number were swept away by the ebb-tide and drowned.

Next day the crew, now only fourteen in number, repulsed an attempt made in canoes to take the vessel by boarding, and killed Karaka.