THE TE KOOTI TRAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE TE KOOTI TRAIL.

J , BY FRANK a BODLEL

A STORY OF THE MAORI WARS.

%\ v (CQPTIUGRT.)

; ; CHAPTER XIV.-(Continued.) The grim prophet, savagely stern, sat / upon a log beside the river's brink. He wore the long, white priestly gown in which he delivered his judgments. The glitter of the fierce eyes and the twitching of his hands told all that his mood was black. Beside him, a pace to the reari stood Peka Makarini, the bloodlusty half-caste. In front, facing one another across the lane of judgment, stood two lines of men, the victors of Te Poronu. They looked sullen and savagely apprehensive. Their barren victory and empty-handed return had won them such a rating that they were still in tortured doubt as to the ultimate end of the matter. At the approach of To liangi, a dozen men, gripping axes viciously, stepped behind tie prisoners—for clearly such they Mere. Makarini glared .mockingly at the Taupo chief, then bent and whispered it) Te Kooti's ear. The prophet nodded, grim lips'pressed tightly together. "I have cotne." Te Ilangi spoke quietly, though he read his doom in the hot eyes of the half-caste butcher and the prophet's lowering stare. For a full minute there was silence—save for the pulse of near gunfire. To Kooti, hand upraised, seemed to be communing with invisible, terrible powers. " Te Rangihiroa, who claims to be one of the Chosen People, Israel " —the voice of I the white-clad prophet was cold, surcharged with deadly menace—" it has been told me that thou art a faithless servant. I have read you the words ol the Atua. Tliev command that none ol the wicked - shall be spared. Icu have disobeyed. Store thari* once you have disobeyed." " It is true," Makarini shouted. " And now," the prophet continued raising his voice, till it vibrated witl: anger and menace, "you disobey mj commands once more. Yon save these women who hide the cartridges of -the Frenchman." The men of the Te Poronu attack growled savagely, playing in eager anticipation, with their war axes. "I, Te Kooti, prophet of the Atua, have been chosen to drive the white despoilers from our land and those cartridges must be found, else our missioi may fail. What are the lives of twe women ?"—ho pointed an anger-shaking finger at Te Rangihiroa—" aie, or of f man, or many men, when our sacred cause is jeopardised. Where is thai powder ? If you would save your life and, perhaps, those of the women, there is one chance only. Speak, or make . them speak and there may be —there— may—be—still a chance." Te Rangihiroa stepped forward, quietly, with dignity. "It is true that I saved these women when the ether would have killed them," he answered soberly. 41 They pleaded and the Cross "—he pointed to the crucifix which Monika -now •held in her hand—" spoke to me of mercy. I promised to save them. Then the cartridges could not-be found and I begged them to tell My word bael been given and though I learned nothing, I conld not see them harmed." "Your word! What is your word to me?" Te .Kooti called scornfully. "I want those cartridges. 1 will have them." Te Rangi folded his arms and stared boldly at the prophet. "Will not the Atua reveal to you the secret of their biding place?" he asked, with grim sarcasm. "It is quite certain that 1 cannot help you." There was a sudden rage of firing from the pa, and at the sound Monika's heart beat hopefully. Perhaps the relief force li3?I arrived at last and there would be a dash for -i>e*?ue/ r But the firing Blackened, trickled into silence and the hope died still-born. * " That one, the woman who weeps, was the Frenchman's wife," the flat-faced man shouted, before Te Keioti could sufficiently control his anger to reply tc the yonng Chief's defiance. " She could be made to tell." " I know nothing of it," Peti said hopelessly. Again Makarini whispered hi the prophet's ear. * ••"loj#gV'A re .toany .'ways, to refresh" pe>or " memory," To Kooti said slowly and very firmly. " But lam merciful. I give you one more chance. For the last time, woman, where are those cartridges ? " Then Monika. stepped from the group and stood along before the judge. Even among that band of fierce 'fanatics, her winsome beauty and fearless bearing won a sh&rp gasp of admiration. Her small, sweet face seemed to glow with that more than earthly light that had come upon her in the hut. While all strained to watch her least movement, she held the crucifix to her lips, kissing it reverently before she spoke. Then she facet! Te Koot i. " By this Cross, that speaks of love, not slaughter " —with difficulty Monika controlled her deep emotion—" I swear that I and I al«me know where the cartridges are hidden. Let the judgment fall upon me. These others are innocent; they know nothing." The grm face of the judge relaxed. His eyes paid a reluctant tribute of admiration, as he looked at the small, steadfast figure, so solemnly, ' splendidly, courageous. Yet, at all costs, his mission / must go forward Those cartridges he niust have. ' She is very young to die." It was the man, Te Kooti, not'the prophet, who spoke, as one talking to himself, quietly and without anger. He nc>ted the girl's youthful beauty the shining, faith-lit eves, the soft cheek's and rounded limbs 'of happy maidenhood. He turned, almost reluctantly to the Taupo chieftain, speaking without hardness. " This time, this only time, I forgive your disobedience, Te Rangihiroa; I understand your temptation. If She will tell, I give back your three lives." Makarini's face contorted angrily. The thing did not ran as he had planned. He stooped to speak, thought better of it, and glared malignantly at his enemy from Taupo. But to his Surprise. Te Rangi showed no trace of elation. With folded arms, the prisoner stated moodily at the ground. * " If she will tell, I give back the three lives," the prophet repeated and leaned forward expectantly. In that hush of painful waiting, men forgot to breathe. Why did she not speak? Her lips moved. Ah! She was talking to the Atua of the Cross. The prophet moved restlessly. He grew impatient of the delay. His lean, right arm shot foward, stabbing at the silent girl. He was no longer the man, but the prophet with a mission that was being threatened. " Where is that powder?", ho demanded harshly, all his mood of pity gone. " Tell ine at once." - " I—will—not—tell." Monika's low voice grew louder and clearer as she / Fathered courage. " I will "not tell, now or ever." The murmur of the sigh that rose from many parted lips was like a distant, faintly-heard shout. Truly the girl was mad—hut she was very brave. The spectators eyed each other furtively, appraisingly. ■ There was not one man among them would dare deny the prophet as she had done. Makarini's sullen face lit up with sudden glee. Now, without possibility of escape, there must be bloodletting. " Tell—or you die, nil three of you," Te Kooti thundered, his voice quivering with a consuming anger. < " I will never tell," Monika repeated, steadily, though there was a ring of un~ happiness in her voice. The way was not clear—the message that had seemed so certain clear in the hut, had told that the others should not suffer. Now, she felt, miserably, her silence dragged them to their doom. A fiendish grin grew on Makarini's face. He chuckled with horrid mirth, then bent and whispered fierce words, a *pate of rushing speech. In cold silence Kooti .heard. him out. then thought fcwbila, his faeo as-impassive as a mask aeaoi. Us nodded sombrely at last,

Taranahi gripped an old man-who passed near him. " What news/' he demanded eagerly. " The pa has fallen," the 014 man mumbled heavily. " Our cartridges are all gone—save for a few our fighters use to cov«r the .flight. See! See! Here come the-toas (braves) now.. They'flee! The last cartridges are spent." " And To Poronu and its people?" The tenseness in Taranahi's voice was index of his consuming anxiety. All his hopes and happiness hung on the answer: his tremendous exertions would count for less than nothing i! the news were as he feared. He glared, almost savagely, at the old man, refusing to turn for so much as the fraction of a second to watch the harried coming of his kinsmen. It seemed an eternity before the old man spoke. " It has fallen," the old man muttered. " They burned the mill." " But the women-—what of the women and Hoani?" Taranahi spoke so menacingly that the old man gaped in astonishment. Ho shook his head sadly. "They burned the mill. Hoani is dead, so I heard. They killed him and young Tautari also. The women 1 I saw two of them, the Frenchman's wife and her sister brought in a canoo to To Kooti's camp. 1 know nothing of tho others." There .was still hope, though the news was bad. There was still hope—if they drove forward swiftly. The youth ran toward his leader, calling his news as he ran. Mair was talking hurriedly to ono of tho retreating fighters from the pa. " Get back to your place," the officer ordered sharply. Here come tho Hauhaus." He had not finished speaking when a swarm of yelling savages, on tho trail of blood, dashed clear of the scrub immediately in front. At sight of the ordered line where they had expected panic flight, they halted sharply, then, screeching with rage, dived for cover, all save three, who were caught bv the sharp volley of tho rescue force. The fighters from the pa, grabbing each a handful of cartridges from the men of Matata, formed up in rear of tho line. They had been driven from their fortress —but they were not demoralised. With a fresh supply of ammunition they were ready and eager to fight on. The scrub seemed full of the raiders. Every bush belched flame and lead in answer to tho steady volleys of the relieving force. " Lie down!" Mair gave tho order reluctantly, for he was as anxious as Taranahi to push forward. But ho had what Taranahi lacked just then, clear judgment, and it was obvious that the enemy was there in strength. " We must drive" them back before wC* can advance." There was brisk but indecisive firing for more than half an-hour, half an-hour of torment for tho white men and Taranahi, who fretted to bo pressing forward. Eric's patience gave way at last and he secured Jules to take charge of his section and selecting a dozen of his best men, crawled off along the bank of the Whakatane River in an attempt to get behind the enemy's firing line, Eric led his men directly inland through the scrub. " Half of you fire, while the others reload," Eric ordered, when he ( J ia d gone as far as ho thought safe. "At that clump of scrub ahead there," Eric whispered. " Fire!" It was a complete surprise. The sudden volley from their rear, where no enemy was expected, sent a wave of panic among tho Israelites and many sprang to their feet and bolted, shouting maledictions. " Again," Eric shouted and two at least of the fugitives bore away mementoes of the markmanship of Eric's party. The panic spread and Mair thrust his main force forward, beating the scrub and blazing at the startled, fleeing shadows. With scattered opposition and much firing and shouting, the advanced skirmishers came at last to the edgo of the scrub and the patches of cultivation that surrounded tho pa. " Lie down!" Mair's order was passed along the lino of the main body and the young officer and eager Taranahi, who, of course, knew the ground well, pushed forward to scout the position. Kneeling, they peered through the branches and saw the pa in front, less than quarter of a mile away." The captured stockade was lined by exultant, yelling Israelites: in front of the wall of tree trunks, drawn up in readiness for battle, was the bulk of le Kooti's raiding force. Swiftly Mair estimated their number and his heait sank. There were, he judged, not less than four hundred warriors there, all, as he could see, well-armed and hungry for the fight. "Four to ono," he muttered angrily; " and ours old men. Wo can't attack tHem in tho open." " But Monika ?" Taranahi pleaded. " She is in their camp. Let ns at least make one try to break through." Mair shook his head soberly. He sympathised with the lad's desire, but reason told him that the thing was hopeless. " The only hopo for us and for her," Mair said, his hand on the youth's heaving shoulder, "is that we do not show our weakness. Wo must keep them busy from this screen of scrub, but never let them see how few we are. Then, when darkness comes"—ho glanced up at the westering sun—" you, Taranahi, and a few volunteers, must swim, or paddle, upstream and reach their camp. It is the only chance to save the girls. In the darkness you may bo able to get clear with them. You couldn't do it now. Hallo! Who's that ? That man is either drunk or mad." A tall strong man, whose face, even at that distance, they could see was contorted as if he were in tho agony of death, dashed through the open gate of the pa. He plunged into and through the close ranks of tho Israelites, hurling men this way and that, in his wild, unreasoning rush. In his arms the madman carried a woman, whose face was hidden against the man's breast. The stranger—he was unknown to, either watcher—ran blindly on, plunging' into one man after another, as if he had hot seen them. He broke clear of the war-line of the enemy and as he drove toward them both watchers sensed something familiar about the man's burden. The woman's hair was wildly free, almost dragging on the ground; her clothing told them nothing. It was no different to that of any other Maori woman—and yet, both Taranahi and Mair had the strongest feeling that they know her well. "It's Peti," Taranahi called huskily and would have jumped into tho open but for Mair's detaining hand. " Wait," the officer said sternly. " Don't show yourself. He's corning straight for us." The man ran on, stumbling often, but recovering swiftly, heedless of direction or of obstacles in his way. The Israelites made no effort to stop or harrass his flight. Clearly the man was under tho orotection of madness. Ho came nearer. They hoard his laboured breathing then—and their hearts sank at the horror in it—the low wailing of the woman he carried. " Get back a bit," Mair ordered sharply. " I'll catch him when he's out of sieht of the pa. You take Peti from him.'" The fugitive plunged into the scrub, and was beyond the sight of those at the pa. His eyes were wide and staring, but ho seemed to see nothing, and if lie heard Mair's challenge to halt, took 110 heed of it. The oilicer sprang at him from behind, and, catching the bare shoulders, held the runaway in a viceiko grip. Tho fellow had no wound risible, and yet, the Englishman saw with : surprise, gouts of blood had spattered .vhere his fingers clutched. Tho stranger struggled violently, but in spite of his savage resistance, Taranahi dragged the' ;irl from his arms and laid her gently lown while he went to Mair's assistance, [t was clear that the man was demented, aid, for tho time, possessed unnatural strength. Strong though he himself was ind skilled in the arts of wrestling, even with tho advantage of his surprise grip, Mair could barely hold tho man. " Leave Peti," Mair commanded breathlessly. "Get the prisoner back first." Ho struggled every inch of tho way, LHl j bore him back toward tho main oody, and, with the help of Eric and Barney, who had come from tho wings to learn Mair's plans, ho was soon tied hand and foot with bonds of flax. Taranahi raced back to carry in his sweetheart 3 sister, while Mair sent forward three men to keep watch on the enemv's movements. (To be continued daily.) }

an ominous glitter 111 his dark eyes, then slowly rose to speak in judgment. " I have considered this matter. Kow hear my word," he began witu -ow emphasis, "Te , Raqgihiroa claims tliesc women as his prize of war. He shall have them: they are his by right ol olden custom. That one" he pointed tc Peti—" who knows nothing, ho shall wed at once and turn her tears to laughter. This one, the other's sister"—he pointed a quivering hand toward Monika—" he shall kill, with his own hands, now, here, before us all. But, in my mercy, I offei one final chance. Girl who has so stub bornly refused the prophet of the Atua. think once again. Where—are—those—cartridges—hidden ?" Cut the light of a great joy was upon Monika. The message had been true: the others. should bo saved. In gladness willingly, steadfastly, she faced the arbitei of her destiny, speaking clearly, without defiance, yet in deepest determination, - "i will never tell," she stated, onco again her face radiant. "Then let the bridegroom slay." Tc Kooti's voice rang clear above the din oi battle, suddenly grown fierce. " Before you all, I name the pair man and wife, Now let the bridegroom kill the sister ol his bride." " A wedding sacrifice," Makarini jested "Ah! how she will hate that husband But the bridegroom is bashful." " I will not do this thing," Te Rang muttered sullenly, while Peti sobbei. broken-heartedly. "You will." Te Kootv'a voice was shrill and savage, "if not, all three shall die. Bo swift! We< have wastec too much time already." "No!" Te Rangi flung his tomahawl on the ground. " 1 will not. This is the work of that devil"—he pointed tc the gloating half-caste. " I will not." But Monika ran to him pleading, a-glow with love for her sister, glorying in the sacrifice that should save v two lives ant keep the bullets from Taranahi, her lover and the three white men, her deal friends. She placed her hands on the man's shoulders, looking him boldly in the eyes. ■ - " For her sake and for 'mine, i be£ that thou will do this," she said, witi: fearless earnestness. " Once 1 was afraid, Now death lias no terror for me." The man tried to shake her off, but she clung to him. Heads thrust forward, sc that they missed .no sight, no whispered word, the spell-bound audience watched the tense drama. Never had they seer one so young, so willing-glad to die. " Listen," the girl implored, her voice faltering, " The one 1 love is dead, else would he have been here before now. J have a tryst to keep: 1 die willingly, happily. And the All-Merciful will not judge "thee harshly. Nor will Peti. But oh! be swift. Be swift!" So silent were judge and they who watched, there might have been none present but the girl who pleaded for the boon of death, and the man who withstood her pleadings. Te Rangi was deeply moved. Eyes tear-dimmed, he picked up his axe, irresolutely. The two sisters were in each other's arms. A messenger from the firing line raced up to Makarini, and spoke feverishly, pointing toward the sand-hills. The bugler gave the runner's message to Te ICooti, and the prophet looked black indeed. " Enough of this," he muttered heavily. "If the bridegroom will not kill, then all three take the last journey together." "Oh, be swift and strong," the girl begged despairingly. She was still the willing sacrifice, but her high courage, was faltering. " Hold thou my hand, Peti, that I may be bravo," she whispered. One small hand in her sister's, the other grasping the Cross, she waited. Once Te Rangi swung his axe, then, with a moan, let it fall again.' " Oh, be swift, be merciful,' Monika wailed. " For the three —and one other I die gladly, but, oh! be swift." With grim-set face, Te Rangihiroa poised his axe and swung. Without a cry or any sound, her sweet face smiling, as a tired, happy-child, Monika fell. Te Rangihiroa, his forehead wet, his face working terribly, caught his wife, before she, too, fell, and carrying her, sobbing, in his arms, ran blindiy from the court of dreadful judgment. CHAPTER XV. SWEATING OF THB TJTT7. - Mair led the race down the last plopc of sand to the slow-flowing Orini. Taranahi, raised from v the depths of despair by the white officer's refusal to abandon hope, flung himself down the sand slide, and, with the others, plunged into the water. Those with cartridge belts unbuckled these, tied them to their guns and holding the weapon aloft with one hand, struck out vigorously with the other. Those who had loose cartridges, pulled flax leaves, and tie.d the precious ammunition on their heads with a band of flax that went under the chin. Old men and boys left hands held high to save the guns and powder, they hurled themselves at this last barrier between them and their beleaugered friends. Whiie the vanguard were "in midstream, they were, of a sudden, dismayed by a fierce intensity of gunfire from the direction of the pa It was clear that the attack was being desperately pressed, and every man struck out with all hi's strength. The leaders, among whom was Taranahi, scrambled ashore through a dense growth of flax, and turning, helped their comrades out. Cartridges were replaced in handy positions for firing, and the men formed up beyond the fringe of flax. Mair spread them oat into two long lines for the advance through doubtful territory. "We don't know if Te Kooti's got any force out this way, and wo can't afford to take chances," ho said to Eric. "We'll move as fast as we can, of course, but we'll have to spread out and skirmish forward to dodge any chance of ambush in that thick scrub. You take the left, Jules, and I will look after the centre, and Barney, you take charge of the other wing. And remember, you wild Irishman, to keep touch with the rest of us. It's no good galloping ahead like one of your Kerry bulls, these old boys of ours have their hearts in the right place,-but they're just about done. You've got to remember that our speed is the speed of the slowest of them. Hurry 'em all you can, of course, but ceep some sort of formation. Now off you." ie turned to the Maoris, now ill ashore and ready to advance. " You lave made a great march, men of Matata. Vow the fight is to be won. Be swift mt for a littje lohger, and our friends hall bo saved." They were blowing hard, most of them. Some were shaking like wind-blown leaves m the forest edge, for brave hearts and trong wills had made unnatural demands in aged limbs. Again those indomitable vills took charge and they jogged forward d, a hard trot, keeping touch with diffimlty, for the ground, though level, was :overed* with thick, low growth. They had gone, as Mair estimated, half he distance to the pa, and the oldest nen were beginning onco more to flag, ,vhen they were halted by the crash .of very close ahead. On tho heels :»f the volley came wild shoutings and the screams of women and frightened children. More shots rang out. sharply dose, the smoke of the firing rising above .he bushes in front. There was a crashng through the brush, and a crowd of terror-stricken fugitives, women, children, m'd a few old men and boys, dashed, screaming, into view. They stopped in sudden alarm at sight of tho waiting lino of armed men, but catching a glimpse of Mair, ran forward joyfully. " The pa has falle'n. These be fugitives," Mair shouted to his men, "Open four ranks and let them through.'" Tho rush of panic-stricken folk swept through tho gaps in the line, then halted uncertainly. Firing was going on continuously in tho direction whence tho fugitives had come. They had' great faith in Mair. but the lino was very thin, and Ie Kooti's men were many. With one accord, they turned and continued tho flight. .