THE TEAR OF PEACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20792, 7 February 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE TEAR OF PEACE.

By BEATRICE EVERSHED, c.o. Mr. T. N. Fletcher, Pyo's Pa Road, Tauranga (age 16). Many years ago, in what is now the Tauranga district, was a small bush clearing, and it was here that great-grand-father and his wife lived happily together in a wooden house he himself had built when he arrived from England with his bride. But, lately, something had happened to disturb the peace of their home, for persistent rumours had started and they struck terror into the hearts of all, as they wore that the Maoris were getting dissatisfied and were even now preparing for war. Already there had been several skirmishes, so it was small wonder, as ho walked home to his house one beautiful summer's evening, great-grand-father should feel so worried and distressed. lie thought of his coming to New Zealand, how he had worked to clear tho virgin bush and start to make their small farm, and it now seemed that all was to go. lie was turning round the bend that would bring his home in sight when from behind a clump of ferns he thought ho heardi a low moan. He stopped and listened intently. Yes, it came again, and without any hesitation the old man quickly walked to the ferns, and there sitting on the ground holding bis foot was a Maori. He was big and strong, and it was evident to great-grandfather that ho was a chief, for in his hair there were several huia feathers and round his neck hung a beautiful greenstone pendant, such as Maori chiefs wore. For a moment each looked at the other, then grandfather spoke. " What is the matter ? Are you hurt ?" And the man, seeming to understand, rubbed his ankle. " Oh, it's your ankle, it is?" was the reply. Then he knelt down beside him, and it was then he first noticed the Maori's ankle was badly swollen. " Well," ho thought, " the best thing I can do is to get him home, then Jane can help me bandage it up, for it looks like a sprain." At last, he made the man understand that ho wished to help him to get up, and after much difficulty he did so, and from there to his house. As can bo imagined greatgrandmother was surprised at seeing her husband helping a Maori along, but when ho told her what had happened she bustled about and soon great-grandfather was bathing the throbbing foot with cool water. When the bandage, at length, was neatly tied and great-grandmother had given him something to eat, her husband said to him, " Sleep here to-night." The Maori understood what the word meant, but he did not wish to sleep with the pakehas, so he slowly shook his head, then stood up and was helped to the door by his kind friends. It was then he spoke, and said, " Maori no forget," and then he turned and limped off down the bush track and was soon lost to view among the dark trees. «««*** " Oh, Robert, what shall we do ? What is to become of us?" sobbed greatgrandmother, as she clung to her husband. Many weeks had passed since that day when grandfather had helped the Maori who had hurt his foot, and now they were prisoners. The war that had been so persistently rumoured had come, and in fleeing for their lives from one tribe of Maoris had been captured by another band, and they were now standing in the enclosure before the pa, awaiting, although they did not know it, sentence of death, and it was then that great-grandmother uttered those pitiful words. Great-grandfather said nothing, but his arm tightened around her as with uplifted head ho faced the hostile Maoris. Then from a group of men who had been talking not far away there stroda a tall Maori, and it was evident from his bearing and dress that he was the chief. Right up to great-grandfather he walked, then stood before him. The old man looked at him and over his face came a look of surprise and hope Why, it was the Maori he had helped; would he remember, and doing so would he give them their freedom ? Then tho chief spoke. " Pakeha," he said, " you must die, and the wahine, too." But, as he finished speaking, over his face came a strange look, and he went still closer to his captive, then looked straight into his eyes. Then, quickly, he touched his ankle and said in uncertain English, " You made well." Great-grandfather nodded, then lifted his wife's drooping head. The man looked at her and over his faco crept a look of great astonishment. Then his hand went to his neck and he seemed to be fumbling there, and one could see that he was undergoing some great emotion. At length he undid what ho had been trying to and in his hand lay a beautiful greenstone pendant. This hand he extended to his prisoners, saying as ho did so, " Peace, tho Tear of Peace." It was then they both noticed that at the end of the pendant the greenstone was so transparent it seemed to be a tear, a tear that hung glistening ready to fall, a tear of peace. "Keep," said tho Maori, "keep for evermore." And as great-grandfather took tho pendant a tear trickled down tho chief's tattoed face and fell on to his feather mat. But he kept his word and the next day they wero taken back to their home, and here they lived unmolested until the war was over and peace reigned once more. ■

That pendant has been handed down through the long years and is now in the possession of my auntie, a most treasured and precious gift', and still tho tear glistens, as clear and beautiful as it did on that memorablo day—the Tear of Peace.