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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 432, 28 October 1863, Page 3

Dabing and Successful Expedition.-— On the 13th. inst. Mr. Von Tempsky, of the Bush-rangers, and Mr. MacDonnell, of the Defence corps, started on a secret expedition to the f rout ; they stayed the following day at Wangamarino and its neighbourhood, viewing as much of the country as possible from the high ground in the vicinity of that post ; and when darkness had settled over the face of nature, turning their steps towards Paparata, tbey proceeded cautiously along, so as to leave no track, if possible. There are two strips of bush on either hand, of the hill on which the pa is situated. .It Sras:tHeihtention of these two bold adventurers to have proceeded straight to one of these and there to lie hid, but fortunately for them (as it afterwards proved) they changed their minds, and lay in the flax swamp by the side of the foot-way. Here, from 3 a.m. all the next day until dark again shielded them, they lay hid by the flax, merely keeping a sharp look out on the track through the loopholes in the bushes. At early dawn five araied natives were noticed corning along the track in the same direction and as if following on. their tracks. The two adventurers lay every moment expecting to be obligated to use revolver and knife in self-defence, but the " five" passed on their way to Paparata. Next came a rider, on a grey horse from the pa and galloped along the road to Meremere, carrying despatches for the commander of the native forces ; this individual was booked for capture on his return. Now became manifest the lucky chance which deterred our two heroes from entering the before-mention-ed strip of bush, for a large party of the enemy were there engaged pigeon- shooting for a considerable portion of the day ; this bush was but a few yards from the spot where Messrs. Von Tempsky and MacDonnell were lying, and all their conversation could be overheard. The lastnamed gentleman, who is thoroughly acquainted with both the ways and the language of the natives, estimated that there could not be less than several hundreds of the enemy — literally filling the strip of bush ; fortunate, indeed, it was for them that they had not chosen tbat spot for their hiding-place, for at present they were quite safe, as the pigeons would not be likely to take shelter in a tiax swamp. But now the yelp of dogs was heard, and the grunt of a pig which they had started, and our two adventurers felt themselves in a peculiarly uncomfortable position not at all to be envied by the most ardent lover of excitement — a position in which they were constrained to continue in anxious suspense until the danger should be literally upon them. Knives were drawn ready to finish any intruding dog who should have taken the first scent, without allowing it time to give the alarm — when down pours the rain I never before had the prospect of a down-right good soaking been so welcome perhaps as now it was to those two dangerously situated men, for they knew that the natives would prefer, the shelter of their huts to even pig hunting. Down came the rain, all the afternoon — still steadily it poured down, and' at dark when our adventurers started on their return, it will not be surprising that they felt cold, stiff and hungry. Where the track to Wangamarino diverges from the Mereinere track they again lay hid waiting for the man on. the grey horse whom, they expected to return with despatches. The plan was all arranged— Mr. McDonnell was to hail the horseman in the native language which would . cause- him to stop aud then both were to leap- out, one dispose of the horse and : the other of the rider, but he came not-rcnore than an hour they waited and then thinking he perhaps might not come at all they continued on. their, way, and arrived at the Wangamarino stockade, where they were most hospitably received by. all the- officers stationed there, who had sat up in expectation, of their return, and after doing justice to ; . a >hot supper in waiting* the^ turned in. These, two gentlemen returned to their quarters the' next day, Friday,-- New Zealander Co-respondent,