# Enterprise and Adventure/An English Sailor in Disguise

AN ENGLISH SAILOR IN DISGUISE.
Early in the present century, the captain of an English merchant vessel calling at New Zealand, which had not at that time become a colony of England, was surprised to receive a message from the native government, written in tolerably good English. It desired him to attend upon the governor, and report the name of his vessel and other objects of his voyage, and was signed by the remarkably English-looking name of George Bruce. On presenting himself accordingly at a well-built house, which was indicated as the residence of the governor, the captain was ushered by Maori guards into the presence of that functionary, who, though attired in European clothing of a nautical cut, was so completely tattooed, as to leave at first no doubt upon the mind of the sea-captain that the governor was a Maori chief. This notion, however, was quickly dispelled when the supposed native chieftain extended his hand, and in a perfectly English accent said, "How are you, Captain Robins? I do not wonder you have forgotten me; but I remember you, as you see." A vague recollection of a seaman named Bruce, who had served ​aboard his ship on a short voyage from Port Jackson to Calcutta, some years before, then flashed across the captain's mind. A few minutes' further conversation convinced him that this was the man; but how was he to account for the strange position in which he found him—his tattooed skin, his almost royal authority in the country? Questions of this kind were readily answered; and before he had left, Captain Robins had learned the strange, romantic story of the English sailor.
George Bruce was born of respectable English parents, and had received what in those days was considered a good education. He had run away to sea early in life, and had several times sailed round the world without abating anything of his love of roving and maritime adventure. He was one of the crew which accompanied the heroic Flinders in his early explorations of the coast of Australia. It happened that while Bruce, at this period, was stationed at Port Jackson, a native king of New Zealand arrived at that colony on a visit. Being seized with a dangerous illness, a British vessel was appointed to convey him home, and it happened that Brace being known as a well-educated and a trustworthy man, was deputed to wait on him on the voyage. Pleased with his attendant, the king, when they had arrived at their destination, asked permission for Bruce to remain, to which the captain of the ship consented. Bruce rose rapidly in the favour of the Maori sovereign; and on his part seemed to have acquired a liking for the country, and for the manners and habits of its people.
It is well known that the Maories have at all times displayed so great an aptitude for civilized life as hardly ​to have been regarded by Europeans as savages, but the superiority of their white visitor, who was indeed a man of no ordinary talent, was speedily felt. He suggested a number of reforms in the government of the country, which proved remarkably successful. At length the king proposed to place his English favourite at the head of the army. To this Bruce had no objection; but a difficulty, apparently insurmountable, here presented itself. Maori warriors are invariably tattooed. As well might an English officer look for respect from his men who came forth without sword or uniform, as a Maori chief who had neglected the hideous process of tattooing. There was no escaping the ordeal short of absolutely declining the offered command. Bruce reflected on the position, and came to the determination to be tattooed, a matter which appeared to him of little importance since he had finally adopted a country in which tattooing was in fashion, and a tattooed face decidedly admired. As a reward for this proof of devotedness Bruce was now declared a warrior of the highest rank, and having been duly naturalized a New Zealander, was honoured with the hand of the king's youngest daughter, the Princess Aetockoe. This was the story which Captain Robins received from his host, who did not allow him to depart without good tokens of his hospitality.
It is said that Bruce and his wife were contented and happy, and that the former looked forward with satisfaction to the progress of that civilization which he expected to introduce among the people with whom, by a singular destiny, he seemed doomed to remain during his life; but a singular chain of mishaps soon afterwards interrupted his good fortune for a while. His subsequent ​adventures have thus been told by an American traveller. While enjoying these hopes, the English ship "General Wellesley" touched at a point of New Zealand where Bruce and his wife then chanced to be. This was at some distance from the king's place of residence. Captain Dalrymple, the commander of this vessel, applied to Mr. Bruce to assist him in procuring a cargo of spars and other things, and requested specimens of the various products of the country, all of which requests were cheerfully complied with. He then proposed to Bruce to accompany him to North Cape, distant about seventy or eighty miles, where it was reported the gold dust could be procured, and the captain imagined that the authority of Bruce would prove useful to him in his search. After many entreaties, Bruce consented to accompany Captain Dalrymple under assurances of being safely brought back. He accordingly embarked with his wife on board the "General Wellesley," representing at the same time to Captain Dalrymple the dangerous consequences of taking the king's daughter from the island; but that fear was removed by his solemn and repeated assurances that he would at every hazard reland them at the Bay Island, the place from which they embarked. Being at length all on board, the "Wellesley" sailed for the North Cape, where they soon arrived and landed. Finding that they had been misinformed as to the gold dust, the "Wellesley" made sail in order to return to New Zealand, but the wind becoming foul, and continuing so for forty-eight hours, they were driven from the island. On the third day the wind became more favourable, but Captain Dalrymple did not attempt to regain the island, but stood on for India.
​On reaching the Fiji Islands the Captain asked Bruce if he chose to go ashore and remain there; but the latter, knowing the barbarous and sanguinary character of the islanders, indignantly refused. Leaving this place, they sailed for Malacca, where the captain and Bruce went on shore, and the latter, in hopes of seeing the governor or commanding officer to whom he might state his grievances, remained all night; but next morning the unhappy Bruce found that the captain of the ship had treacherously sailed, carrying his wife to Penang.
After remaining at Malacca for some weeks, Bruce set out in quest of the ship, and obtained a passage to Penang, where, upon his arrival, he found that his wife had been bartered away to another officer. On waiting upon the governor of Penang, he was asked what satisfaction he required for the ill treatment he had experienced. Bruce answered that all he wanted was to have his wife restored, and to get a passage to New Zealand. This the governor was, happily, able to accomlish. His wife, who had been so unjustifiably detained by force, was restored to him; and with her he returned to Malacca in the hope of a promised passage to New South Wales. But the opportunity was missed. Poor Bruce indeed was doomed to much wandering before he finally returned to that country where the cause of the long absence of himself and his wife was still unknown. He returned to Penang, and thence to Bengal, where he and his wife, whose story had become known, were received with great kindness and hospitality, and an opportunity having afterwards occurred, they at length obtained a passage to New South Wales, and from thence to New Zealand, where they were joyfully received. Bruce ​lived many years in New Zealand, where the name of the English sailor who became a Maori chief, is still remembered with gratitude among the descendants of the Maories of those days.