At daybreak, I landed in company with six or seven people who were going out on different shooting parties.

The natives came down to the boat as usual, but all carried throwing-sticks--contrary to their usual practice of late; and at the place where they had slept, numbers of spears were stuck up on end in the sand.

These preparations surprised me, but Paida would not explain the cause and seemed anxious to get me away.
The shooters marched off--each with his black--but I loitered behind, walking slowly along the beach.
WITNESS A NATIVE FIGHT.
About 200 yards from the first camping-place, two groups of strange natives, chiefly men, were assembled with throwing-sticks in their hands and bundles of spears.

While passing them they moved along in twos and threes towards the Evans Bay party, the men of which advanced to meet them.

The women and children began to make off, but a few remained as spectators on the sands, it being then low water.