HIDDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 4 (Supplement)

HIDDEN.

In (he early days of New Zealand Rauparaha, then'a harmless chief of a small tribe, was visiting a powerful tribe, when ho had a quarrel with a chief and was forced to flee for his .ife. Through the bush he sped, his pursuers at his heels, using every trick his wily brain could think of to throw oft the enemy. ■ At last, staggering with fatigue, he stumbled into the village of a friendly chief renowned for his hairy face and body. To this personage Rauparaha. poured out his tale of woe, then the chief thought decplv. If lie protected Rauparaha the others would fight him, and ho did not like wars. Suddenly inspiration came to him, and he the fugitive go down the kuirara pit, over which ho drew his mat Thud 1 thud! thud! came tho sound of running feet. The man in the pit lay still, the sweat pouring in streams from his forehead. Harsh voices inquired whero he had gone. "To the rising sun," grunted the chief. Tho sound of feet died away into silence, the mat was removed, and Rauparaha stepped up into the sunlight. Ho was light-hearted with joy, and, to thank his old friend, ho danced a baka ho had made up for the occasion. Here it is: " Ka mats! Ka mate! Ka orn! Ka ora! Tenci to tangata, pohuruhuru, Na na o tikimni, whnkawhiti te Rs»! Upane ! Upane! Ka upane ! Whiti te Ra!" A freo translation is: "I die! I die' I live! I live! Behold the man with the hairy body! I am,saved; I sea tho sunshine 1 Up a step 1 Up a step ! I step up ! The sunshine!" —By Arnott Meiklejohn, M.8.G., nsa 1!?, Pnkotai.