A STORY OF MOUNT WESLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16467, 17 February 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

A STORY OF MOUNT WESLEY.

TOLD BY A MAORI WARRIOR. BY C.H. Ov Mount Wesley, facing Dargaville, there stood in days gone by a Maori pa. Here is a story as told to me by the old warrior Tahu: — Here it was that the powerful tribe of Kekeri lived, many years ago. The pa was strongly fortified with no less than three Maori fences, and commanded such an outlook upon the surrounding country that Kekeri was not molested by his enemies, who realised the great disadvantages of an attack. At the Kaipara Heads, some fifty miles down the river, lived the tribe of Nui. strong and prosperous. The tribes of Nui and Kekeri were friendly, and often the braves in their canoeG taking presents, visited their friend?. Now, among Kekeri's tribe there was no maiden more beautiful than Rawhiti, and many were the braves who loved her, for not only were her eyes larger and brighter, her face rounder and sweeter than all others, but she was rightly named " Sunshine." Kaitoa, son of the chief Nui, had long loved Rawhiti, as indeed R-awhiti had loved him, and Nui and Kekeri had agreed that the couple should marry when ready, so while Kaitoa planted his crops and got his house in readiness for his beloved, Rawhiti spent many happy hours lying high up on the range chanting Maori songs in her rich plaintive tones, and weaving happy dreams, as she watched and waited for the canoe of Kaitoa and his braves to glide up the river. Preparing for War. And then a storm broke, which brought desolation to the lives of Rawhiti and Kaitoa. While on a fishing excursion Tama, Kekiri's son, offended deeply the great chief Nui, who bade the party leave his waters at once lest he do them injury. In high wrath Kekeri listened to his son's story, and, refusing, to hold any communication with Nui, swore to be revenged for the insult which he felt had been dealt him. Preparing for war, and summoning his braves, they made ready, and soon were speeding in their canoes down the great Northern Wairoa River. Effecting a quiet landing they completely surprised a little band, and left death and desolation to await the homecoming of Nui and his followers. When the triumphant Kekeri arrived back with his spoil there were great rejoicings, after which they set about further fortifying their pa in view of a possible attack. And Rawhiti still climbed the heights and watched with wistful eyes the quiet river, but sad was the face and hushed the songs of Rawhiti. A Choice Between Love and Tribe. And Nui, what of Nui, returning to find lus crops ruined and many of his people slaughtered. With bowed head and sore heart he walked among his tribe, giving comfort where he could, then silently stole down to the shore and stood gazing at the silver scintillating path as the moonbeams danced across the darkened waters,' the soft waveo lapping around his feet. But Nature was asleep to the great chief Nui, the music of the waves was to him but the moans of his people, in the silver dancing waters he seemed but to see their tortured faces; With a cry he raised his arms to the moonlight sky, and calling upon all the cods swore never to rest until Kekeri and his tribe were destroyed. The following day a council was called by Nui. Realising the hopelessness of an attack on their enemy's pa, after deep thought Matau, the wise and brave, brought forward a plan which met with the approval of all. Accordingly Kaitoa, son of the chief Nui, was called into the counsel, and was asked the question by Nui, "Which is the greater, thy love for Rawhiti, the daughter of our enemy, or thy tribe?" And Kaitoa hesitated not as he replied, " My love for Rawhiti is deeper than all the waters, but my tribe comes first. What would you have me do?" Then was Kaitoa made to swear bv all the eods that he would carry out the plans that were unfolded him by the brave Matau. Hit' heart sank as he realised the nature of his task, but he made no sism. taking his orders submissively, and with attention to detail. A Deserter. And thus it came about that Rawhiti, as she lay watching the broad river one calm evening, beheld the lover she had so hopelessly mourned, again once more. As he came with swift strokes towards the shore he made signs of peace unto her people, and upon landing requested an audience with their chief. Coming before Kekeri he made obeisance, and stepping forward, impassionately cried, "0 great chief Kekeri, I, the son of Nui, have been cast out by my father and his people, for I love Rawhiti better than my tribe, and therefore would not war with you. Forget I am your enemy's son, and make me one of your braves, so that if I prove worthy I may yet wed Rawhiti." And Kekeri, while despising Kaitoa for deserting his tribe, was rejoiced at the sorrow it would bring to hie enemy, Nui, and was very gracious unto Kaitoa, and Kait'.-i went to seek Rawhiti and found her in her favourite resting place. Thtf stars in the heavens were , shining, but [no stars so bright as Rawhiti's eyes as she turned to her lover. Instead of taking her in his arms Kaitoa said, " Wait until you bear why I have come. Go to Km and he will tell you that I have deserted mv tribe and become one of his braves, so that I mi? win von. And the light was quenched in Rawhiti's eyes, for she was proud, and Kaitoa had become a deserter and dishonoured to her for ever. And she left him with soft, slow footfall to the starry night, with death in his heart, and a prayer that things might come swiftly. Victory and Tragedy. The days grew into weeks. The Kekeri's vigilance had gradually relaxed since no sign had come from Nui, and things had resumed their normal state. One morning about this time they i went fishing in the river, and next day, to the horror of Kaitoa and his braves, they found his precious canoe had pone, it could not have been securely tied the previous evening. All day Kaitoa sat apart wrapped in gloom, nor would he speak to anyone. And many miles down the river there were great rejoicings as Nui sat gazing at a canoe carbed byKaitoa's practised hand, and bearing a message cunningly worked in with the design. And that night the river seemed alive with shadows moving swiftly through the darkness up its course, and later streaming up the mountain to the pa gates to be let in by Kaitoa. who, task ended, drove a knife through his heart. Pandemonium reigned, for the surprise on the tribe of Kekeri was complete, and unprepared they were very soon overcome. Kekeri, however, had escaped with the women and children and a few braves through a tunnel built for emergencies, and opening up many yards along the range. Dashing out of the pa the greater section of Nui'B braves followed up, and daylight saw a pitiful scene being enacted as the strageling little band were caught and destroyed ruthlessly, as Nui had ordered. While thev were away on- their merciless errand Nui sought, and found, his son. And Nui's braves, returning full of triumph, found their chief kneeling by the gates murmuring brokenly to a prostrate figure he held in his arms, who, with glassv eyes, stared qr—*mi'nfflv skywards.