MANAKIHAKA, OR A MAORI'S REVENGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2069, 19 October 1893, Page 45

MANAKIHAKA, OR A MAORI'S REVENGE.

Written for the Witness Little Folks by A. Saunders.

Chapter Vll.— Manakihaka,

When they woke up the sun was already in the sky, so they hastily descended and ate a scanty breakfast. Before they had travelled long they could see plainly a hill which was obscured from their view the day before by reason of the mist that covered it. Taunga did not see the use of climbing the hill, and suggested that they should go round it. "No," said his father to this suggestion, •• we had better go to the top, so that we can see all around. We can also see where the streams run, and where the pas are situated, if there are any." They started to climb. It was not climbiDg in the proper sense of the word, for the hill had a gentle slope ; but that did not prevent them from frequently stopping, looking round, and sometimes sitting down for a rest. When they at last reached the top, what a scene met their eyes ! Inland nothing could be seen but forest trees. To the north only forest trees ; to the south only forest trees, and to the east forest trees, ferns, tutu, and toi-toi grass, and away, far away, the sea. But Taunga had seen something else. Looking down the hill on the opposite side to that which they had ascended, he saw a number of men coming up. Kahaka made up his mind that they were enemies. " I can make out the features of some of the men, and I am sure I have not seen them before," he said.

Taunga at once proposed to climb a tree, and wait to see whether they were enemies or not. No sooner said than done. Father and son soon climbed a tree, and remained hidden in its branches.

Up, up, came the band of men. Slowly but surely they ascended the hill. At last they reached the top. Two or three ran to the tree in which the two men were hiding, and tried to get them down. Taunga's spear killed one, and Kahaka's club settled another, but others came to the spot, attracted by the dying cries of their fellows, and our two heroes were quickly overcome. They were immediately dragged down from their hiding place, and firmly pinioned with flax bands.

They were thus helpless prisoners in the hands of unknown enemies, and their fate could not be long in being decided upon.

The people did not stay on the top of the hill, but went on. They carried the prisoners with them, sometimes dragging them like dead animals, sometimes making them walk themselves, being all the time well guarded. At last Ithey reached the foot of the hill, and all sat down to rest. Here they remained all night, and when they arose in the morning they prepared to start again.

But before starting their chief sent word for the two captives to be brought before him. This was immediately done. Kahaka thought he had seen the chief before, somewhere ; but he did not speak for fear of being killed.

While they were standing before the leader two men passed, who looked into their faces. One of them started.

" Kahaka and Taunga ! " he exclaimed in surprise.

" Marane and Henare," ventured Kahaka.

"What is the matter ?" asked the chief.

' ' Oh, Manakihaka ! " said Marane, for it really was him — " Oh, Manakihaka ! these prisoners are from Makara."

"Is that so ? Then what are you doing so far from the pa, killing the Tenawake men with me ? "

".Oh, Manakihaka ! " said Kahaka, " will you forgive us ? We did not know that you were here. We mistook you for enemies."

•• Oh ! well, what are you doing here ? Have you committed a crime ? " Far from it, O great Manakihaka. I have a long tale to tell you."

" I have heard that I am now chief of Makara. Is that true?"

"It was once, O Manakihaka, but it is not true now." " How is that ? Tell me, quick." Manakihaka wa3 now very excited. Kahaka then told him, as briefly as possible, the story of the defeat of Makara and of his and his son's escape and adventures. To this story Manakihaka listened attentively. At the end he gave a long sigh.

"What do you think of all this?" asked Kahaka, when at last he had finished his story. • ' What do I think ? What would you think ? What would anybody think ? Revenge on Ruawhare; that's what I think," answered Manakihaka haughtily.

Then he called the little band together. He rose to address them.

" Friends and warriors," he said, " you know the position in which lam placed. lam here without anyone to help me except yourselves, and we are now liable to be caught by the Ruawhare rebels and killed or made slaves. Warriors, I want you to help me. We are not many, and our enemies are great. We must fight them with caution. We can live up on the hills, come down in the night, kill some men, and rush up to the hills again. I thirst for revenge, and I must have it. If you join me I will lead you. Who will help me now ? who will join me ? "

All the warriors in the little company promised to obey Mauakihaka aud help him to revenge himself on his enemy ; and so the meeting broke up. The next day they made a bee-line for a hill, on the other side of which was the pa of Ruawhare. They carried plenty of weapons — Maori tomahawks, adzes, and clubs — with them.