The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-12-23

es OF the rocks for Il path of deliverance
The gale, AS is usual with northeasters,
had abated as suddenly as it had arisen,
and the night Was quite calm an still, the
only sound that was heard being the sui.
len moan Of the swell as it swept the rocks
below. l immediately began to look
about for means of exit from my posi-
ton, aud found that the ledge OF rocks on
which | stood extended backward for
some distance | went back few feet
and perceived hole in the rocks, about
three feet wide, and about six IL height
Fine Ida struck III that this was the cav
dedicated by the Noorannos to the rship
IT the >ea.deity, Naptuukurko or Maun-
wirrirn Cor he that holds the waters in his
hand~.) The appearance of the entrance
agreed with the description given me lay
the Manries-l being but a few inches
above the highest sweep Of the surf, and
the tide beit & at its lowest ebb. also
remembe ed that this was about the time
of the half yearly visits of the Nooranoos
To the temple; aud as it was ouly accessi-
bic for oae dav in tie hal-fyear, expected
every moment to see the sacred galley
sweep round the point, aud land its crew
OF wrrshippers. | was now in a fearful po-
Slt ~, and saw no method of escape, for
there was Il law among the MaorIs, that
"ny those set apart Tor the purpose OF Of
fcring the sacrifices for the tribe should
approach this cavera, all others being con-
Lemned to instant death, if found there
Irrespective of this, however, the hated
Paheka Of the Taiemuugas was surely
doomed to destruction, if found by bis
foes.
| carefully searched every recess of the
rocks, guided by the light Of the moon,
but could find no egress-nothiDg but pre-
clpitous walls of rock on three sides, and
the boundiess ocean on the fourth. [ re-
'lrned in despair to the temple entrance,
determined to enter, and there await the
coming IF the Nooranoos. did so, aud
cropped along its rough walls for some way,
| then took out my flint and steel, which
| carried with me on all occasions, and
striking light on some cotton which had
fortunately remained dry in my inside
pocket, was enabled to see my way. |
found the cavern of considerable length,
extending, should Imagine, about one
thous md yards in length, with a breadth
of two bundred. | reached the altar
where stood the idol surrounded by the
offerings Of It's devntees, consisting Of va
rios marine curiosities ADD other valua.
bes. L did not, however, take much note
OF chem, my anxiety regarding the arrival
IT the natives being too great to thiuk of
satisfying curiosity | knew that they
might come at any moment, and were
sure to come, at all events, in the course
of twenty four hours.
looked for a place to conceal myself,
and creeping round behind the Idol, found
that it the priests did not remove it, |
might possibly escape their sight. Tue
IDIOT was not stu ,ted at the extreme eud
Of the cavern, but only about tw, hun.
bred yards from it's entrance, so that be,
hind it there was considerable, space
which apparently was not much iutruded
upon, all the devoti"ns being paid in front
Ut the altar. hoped that, as they would
not pass neyoud the idol, | might possibly
remain concealed, for | knew that they
would have no tune to waste, the return
my tide compelling them to quicken their
dcvotious ; but when ref, cted that, even
should l he successful enough to escape
tnelr uotiue, miserable death awaited me,
left as would be to die of hunger in that
lonesome cavern, various schemes fitted
through my mind, one of which was to
escape their observation on landing, 10y
aiding behind some corner OF rock aud
creeping down to their canoes while they
were engaged IN their deVGtiuns, endeav-
"ring II conceal myself below the skins,
Nc, which lie in the bottom of their boats,
wnen, il fortunate enough to be unnhselv
Cd, | might he left in the canoe on tn ir
Landing at their pah, and afterwards es-
cape by walking round the bay to my
tribe. GA examination, however, | found
this plan impracticabIe, as | could find no
iit conccal'",ut to escape them Oh landing
then made up my mind to risk instant
death, by 'ak'n. the FLOWING bold ad
vantage of their snp"rstitious.
The Idol was about the height Of an or
dluary-slzed mau, and was made Of wood
the lace was painted red with the juice Of
ia tree which Is comman in that part of
New ZeaiauI, aud the body was covered
b. shaws made Of fix No part of the
body was visible except the hands, In
bis right hand he held spear, Oh which
was transtxed IA serpent, aud in his left he
hrId the nus VI ia barracouta. afterwards
found the meaning of these emblens.--
Til" god was supposed to have driven all
serpeuts aud noxlous reptiles into the sea
hence the emblem in his right hand
while being supposed to protect the in
habltants of the sea, the food and riches Of
the Maori, his left arm is represented az
defending the principal fish On that coast
The idea that possessed me was this
to displace the wooden frame to dress
myself III its garb; to hlug it into the
backmost corner of the cave, and play the
god to the saving of my life. | acted al