War to the Knife or Tangata Maori

Massinger, "as to the exact ma

every sense of the word. The Governor, egged on by the Provincial Council of Auckland and t

satisfactory title could be given, he would accept t

land. There are always scores of claimants to such blocks, the consent of all of whom was necessary. And after and above all

Teira come to

] Te Rangitake. With the Government behind him, he argued, they would be able to force through the ba

cherously to his own people

s he wrote to Lord Caernarvon), 'That the immediate consequences of any attempt to acquire Maori lands without previously extinguishing the native title to the satisfaction of all having an interest in them would b

would you h

a public trial and full examination of the title of Teira would have satisfied Rangitake and the tribes. Teira's title w

n certain to come at some

ave been entered upon to bolst

g

pread, do

-a powerful tribe, well armed, and with numbers of young men who have not been

ar? This tribe has been exceptio

ry. It is one long list of stubborn and bloody engagements-wars for conquest; wars in satisfaction of long-past feuds; wars in defence; wars of aggression; wars for il

w where they lead. Burghers, to guard their t

self is the most delightful excitement known to him. So, you may judge that a force of this character, u

iawa and other tribes, they will have a considerable force? What, for [Pg

early half as many soldiers; and of nati

o combine, they could

overnment could get help from abroad, the whites would be something in the same po

hould

been true to the whites, and will remain so-Waka Nene and Patuone, with others. Their tribes are powerful, and are, like most sava

or referring to it-that you had personally assisted t

When I proposed to the chief, Waka Nene, to oppose Heke, he said he had not men enough, but that if I would join him with all I could raise, he would turn out. I saw that the fate [Pg 195] of the North depended on my

ery one who could have taken prompt advantage of i

al at the animated countenan

It was very good fun while it lasted. My friend Waterton came on as soon as he could get across

t of conversing with strangers of all callings and both sexes,

me or abroad, had he encountered a companion like to this one. A wonderful admixture of the heroic and social attributes! The reckless courage of a Berserker; [Pg 196] the air of born command which showed itself in every instinctive motion; the love of danger for its own sake, as yet unslaked by time, by dangerous adventures over land and sea; the iron constitution which could endure, eve

vegetation during one year, and in the second following are dust and ashes! To any eminence in the wide realms of Greater Britain might he not have ascended, surrounded by staunch friends and devoted admirers, had he chosen to select a career and follow it up with the unflinching determination for which he was proverbial! And, thought this Englishman, what had he done? what was he? A leader of men, certainly-a chief in a sa

d stream which barred their path, presented a living answer to the query. As she stood in the uncertain light which struggled through the forest glades, her eyes bright with triumph and her form transfigured with the momentary gleam of the sun-rays, he could have imagined her a naiad of old Arcadian days, prompt to warn the hero of the approach of dang

hrough the silent woods, joyous with girlish triumph. "It was made

rn path which turned at an a

g

as you can see, but strong and unbroken still. Over this passed the great tribe of the Ngatimaru when they were fleeing with their women and children in Hougi's time. I could almost fancy that I see traces

d been talking earnestly for some time, probably about the

one with leisure and effect. After being a foe to hurry and bustle all my life, I think it most unkind of fate

you will agree with me that this is no time for dilettante work. I shall alway

ou propose to do when

raising a volunteer co

g

eek after under military protection. Te Rangitake built another pah on the disputed land, and pulled up the surveyors' pegs. On the 17th, Colonel Gold attacked the pah with howitzers, after sending a note by Parris, which the Maoris refuse

start,

heir ability to fight white troops-a dangerous less

er fightin

angitaka, to do him justice, warned his men not to make war on unarmed people. A combined force of militi

e hand,' as they used to say bef

inion is that the war has only commenced. If the Waikato tribes join, others will be drawn in. It w

of both sides, what would you s

each side has secured a temporary advantage. With a consistent and impartial policy, disaffection would cease. By-and-by the natives will sell their land readily enough; with a

ent act even now upon

to quit 'the arts of war and peace,' wildly exciting as the subject is becoming, he

sive wharf, was a cottage, built bungalow-fashion, with broad verandahs, surrounded by a palisaded garden, and shaded by those typically British trees, the "oak, the ash, and the bonny elm tree." Leafy memorials

n a lofty hill-top within easy reach was the primeval fortress, to which for generations they had been wont nightly to repair for security, and from which issued to their daily duties the long trains of chiefs, warriors, wome

ur after Massinger had been refreshed with a glass of excellent Hollands, and inducted into a bedroom, furnished chiefly with books, he found himself in the dining-room before a luncheon-table exceedingly well appointed. The fish and game, with vegetab

over to the Terraces, has returned. You will hear what he says on the present state of things. No man in the island can speak with more knowledge or authority. Warwi

n the mantelpiece, the window-sills, and, indeed, on the floor. Old colonial works of the earliest days of New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia, the worn binding of wh

absolute beatitude. The open window 'gives' on the broad river, 'strong without rage, without o'erflowing full,' an occasional sail fleeting by like a returning sea-bird. Canoes are racing home after a day's fishing, the girls paddling for their lives, and encouraging one another in the mimic contest with laughing reproaches and warlike cries. The dolce [Pg 203] far niente period to be succeeded by a pedestrian expedition

ents was interrupted by the entrance of Erena, who had apparently completed her househol

er puts back, and reads day and night for weeks together. He is absent-minded, and careless of the proprieties to a wonderful degr

ome as when I met you first?" he s

of whom? In time of peace who is there to harm me? When you saw me I

introduce me? Is she of the same charming complexion as y

gh she talks good English, and is thought very good-looking. I would have brought her up, but she went away the mo

h; I hardly noticed him before. Now tell me

to the future; slow in making up his mind, never changing it afterwards. He decided many years ago that the religion of E

s being calm nearly always?

It is an old story now, but he once shot a native dead before his own fri

ial severity in earnest

aking the pah there, at Wharekahika, captured two Europeans; one they killed, the other was rescued by a passing ship. A Ngapuhi native took part in the murder; he was then visiting at Whakatane, but lived with his wife at Tauranga. Waka Nene was on the beach at Maungatapu when this native returned. He advanced towards him and delivered a speech, taki-ing, or pacing up and down, Maori-fashion, while the other natives sat aroun

ribed as 'hang first and try afterwards,' but from hi

tribe for an act with which he had nothing to do, and perhaps had never heard of. What the Ngapuhi suffered for was, that if he had belonged to Ngarara's tribe his act [Pg 206] would have been

be ready to receive them in half an hour; the other, that a timber-laden schooner would leave the wharf on t

om bad to worse at Taranaki. The natives have scored what they consider a success so far, and are confident that they can hold their

walk, and even take a turn at that mysterious industry of gum-digging, of which I hear exciting reports. But as things are, I feel in honour bo

d Mannering. "The colonists are so keen, that any one who

ger goes to the front. Only, remember our bush rambles, and don't despise the poor natives because the

s much inclined for tears as for lau

s of ceremony, having a fine flaxen mat, worn toga-fashion, across his breast. In his hair were the rare feathers of the beautiful huia which non

young man's face. "My pakeha friend Mannering tells me that you depart to Waitemata. It is well. My h

"It seems a small matter, but this la

lied the chief, gravely. "Money was given to Teira for Waitara

to Tamati Ngapora?" said Mr. Mannering. "Their word is not for

en there is the King business to bring more trouble. If the Waikato

Massinger, almost wonde

through the war of Honi-Heke; they fought with the Rarawas against the Ngati man

uced th

ue to Mr. Mannering, who replied in the same language; then, saluting both in a farewell manner, he depar

inquired Massinger. "Did i

ould tell now what was going to happen. He thought it well that you should leave in the tim

smoothly in the half light; the grim pah, with its palisades and trenches, looking down upon the peaceful scene which, to all appearance, was fixed in Arcadian serenity. Was it fated to resound with t

afforded of late years such cheap and plentiful repasts to the British working man, reminded the ex-squire of his home flock. Mr. Mannering produced claret of a choice vintage, the finest which the guest had met with in New Zealand. Tales of wild life and strange company were contributed by the host and Warwick, replete with thrilling int

tranger was most anxious to see-the far-famed tribal [Pg 210] fortress, the unconquered Whiria,

e able to make acquaintance with my old friend and comrade, Waterton, who is the King of the Lower Hokianga. I will say nothing more than that you will find him 'a picked man of countries,'

tongue, sword, as this astonishing island, in which the human marvels were not less numerous and unique than those of nature. But he said merel

in Australia there, besides our poor ratas and karakas. However, you will see for yourself; only don't t

afraid I shall break down in the cross-examination

g

tribe moves away. But if we can't tell what is before us in time of peace, in war it will be even more unc

annering, having lighted his pipe and opened a fresh bottle of claret, invited his guest to take the comfortable

be on hand. Reflecting that he might never have the opportunity of enjoying such another symposium, or meeting so many-sided an entertainer, he resigned himself frankly to the occasion. The bottle of claret was finished, and

Hereafter. He could imagine him travelling onward through the dread solitudes of the Antarctic pole, sledge-borne, like the creation of Frankenstein, or turbaned and robed as an Arab, urging a camel through the arid wastes of the Western deserts. Of all inhabited lands south of the equator, his knowledge was complete and accurate, and in every clime or condition of life the g

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