State Library of NSW
[Page 214]
210. Some account of New Zealand
the state of war in which they live; constantly in danger of being surprizd when least upon their guard; has taught them, not only to live together in towns; but to fortify those towns: [Margin note] Fortifica:s which they do, by a broad ditch, & a pallisade within it; of no despicable construction. For these Towns or Forts which they call Heppas they chuse situations naturaly strong; commonly Islands, or Peninsulas, where the sea, or steep cliffs, defend the greatest part of their works; & if there is any part weaker than the rest, a stage is erected over it of a considerable hight 18 or 20 feet, on the top of which the defendants range themselves, & fight with a great advantage, as they can throw down their darts & stones with so much greater force than the assailants can throw them up. within these forts the greatest part of the tribe to whoom they belong reside, & have large stocks of provisions; Fern roots, & dryd fish, laid up, but no water, which for that article in all that I have seen was not to be had but at some distance without the lines, from whence we were led to conclude that sieges are not usd among them. Some part however are generaly out in small parties
This page has its status set to Completed and is no longer transcribable.