OUR LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2070, 26 October 1893, Page 45

OUR LITTLE FOLKS.

By Dot.

Dot will lie plcnied to receive short letters from jin enile corre-P-ioudcnt-, on nny nutters of interu«c to themsehes— <->ioU Tories of not auiiuiß descriptions of their fatoiirite ton, tin ir i.mtieH, Hni\i«. incut*, f.O. The loiters to hi « 1 inc., bj the children tlicmsdtvs mil -iddrosed " Dot, c.ire of the Kilitor," and to be published in the page dcroted to " Our Lutlo Folks."

MANAKIHIKA. OR A MAORI'S REVENGE.

Writtan for the Witness Little Folks by A. Saunders.

Chapter IX.— Satisfaction at last,

As it was the custom for the warriors of the Utupa to go out by twos and threes down the hill at times, Te Pehi and Manuera were not missed at first. But as night came on, and no signs of them were visible, the men began to suspect something was wrong. Then, when morning came round and still no signs of them, revenge showed itself more plainly in their faces.

Manakihaka delivered his last address to them.

•'Warriors of the Utupa," he said, "revenge is sunk in mj heart now so that I cannot wait any longer. I must be up and doing what I purposed to do. It is plain that two of us have been killed. It is plain, too, that 200 Ruawhare slaves must be killed. Ha, for revenge ! We must have satisfaction as soon as we can. We have only 10 left. The Ruawhere slaves killed and murdered Makara by a trick ; we will kill them with a trick also. Marane, Kahaka, Patuone, Waipero, and Rangihaeta can make fiax ropes. Let them make them. Make them extra strong, for they are to hold our lives. Henare, Taunga, Tareha, Hongi, and I will do all the rest. My warriors, you will now the rest afterwards."

The next day the young men cut a quantity of fiax and carried it to the pa, and the elder ones converted it into a rough buc strong rope.

The next day was spent in the same manner.

Three days after the meeting everything was ready. On the fourth everyone in the pa rose early. After a hasty breakfast was eaten the weapons were placed in a position where they could easily be got. Large stones were placed on the edge of the precipice ready to be rolled over. The ropes were already tied to trees on the top, and allowed to drop over till the other ends reached the ground at the bottom.

Then they all got ready, and some of them descended. Those who had gone down then began to shout and make as much row as they possibly could. Then they rolled stones down to Ruawhare, and tiied in every way to attract their attention. Two or three came out of their whares and loked up the hill. There they saw the Utupa warriors in their warpaint. Then they thought they had a grand chance to destroy them. They apprised their comrades, and then rushed for their arms. Soon almost the whole of Ruawhare was running up the hill to scatter the Utupa to the winds.

After an exchange of attentions the Ruawhare people were not surprised to see the "brave" Utupa children run and climb up their ropes double quick. But if the Utupa men could get up with the help of ropes so could they. So they threw a few missiles at the retreating acrobats, and then began climbing up the ropes after them. One of the few missiles despatched had struck and killed the gallant but revengeful leader of the Utupa. He fell, and was seen no more. When the Ruawhare warriors were far up the ropes near the level top — headed by Arawata, the chicf — when the ropes were covered with unskilled ropeclimbers, when the rest of the Ruawhare were standing below to witness the defeat of the Utupa, whom they had learned to dread and hate, then the ropes were cut, and a mass of mangled corpses was the result. Then the stones were thrown or rolled down on top of their enemies, and the deed was almost done. Then the avengers went down to the pa, and man, woman, and child were destroyed.

All that Ruawhare had meted out to Makara the same was meted out to them, and more. And the Utupa was satisfied.

Chapter X. — Conclusion.

The next day a meeting was held to decide what was to be done now the Utupa had accomplished its end. Kahaka rose and said :

" Warriors of the Utupa, now that we have finished what we have begun ; now that we have hit the mark that we have aimed at, what can we do now ? Four of vs — Marane, Henare, Taunga, and myself — have no home to go to. We have no whare, no shelter. We must wander about and be killed unless you help us. Will you do so, or not ? "

Then up stood Waiperc, and said :

" Kahaka, Marane, Henare, and Taunga, you will all be welcome at Tenawake. When we tell Hawara your story and your brave acts he will shelter you. You will be one of us. Do you not think so, my friends ? " Murmurs of assent came from the other four Tenawakeans.

Next day they packed up and set off on their journey back to Tenawake. It is now four years since the destruction of Ruawhare. The four Makara men now belong to Tenawake. Kahaka is certainly not as strong as he was, and can only .sit at the door of his whare and watch the children at their play.

Taurjga is a dutiful son, and often goes out hunting, bringing home the spoils to his father, who ia justly proud of his son.

His constant friend and companion is Honare, the son of Marane, who often accompanies him on his hunting expeditions. Marane is like Kahaka — not very young or strong. He is attended in his old age by the new chief of Tenawake, Patuone, who, you will perhaps remember was one of the Utupa.

The other Utupa warriors are all doing well, and many are the talks they have of the curious capture of Kahaka and Taunga, of' the Utupa, and of the downfall of Ruawhare ; and they recall with feelings of pride the valorous deeds they performed under their brave chief and leader, Manakihaka.

[The End.]

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dear Dot, — I wish to tell you about a fine trip my sister and brother and myself had away off to the Gull'fl Roost — a place where hundreds of gulls lay their eggs. It is on the top of a hill near a small pool of water. There are hundreds of nests on a very small piece of ground. The gulls have jnst commenced to lay their eggs, and we got about 20 neste When they saw us the poor gulls flew out. The rooefc is 10 miles north from Waikaka township, and near the top of Mount Wendon. We could see Kelso and Tapanui 20 miles to the east. Kelso looked like a few cows and calves grazing near a few trees, and Tapanui looked like a churchyard in the middle of a big bush. We could see Gore about 20 miles to the west. It looked as big as Dunedin, for the sun was shining on

was brought down from where I was and shown to a lady who wanted to buy a bucket. The person that I was shown to bought me, so that night I was put in a cart and taken to her house. A girl took me and washed me then I was put away until the next morning. When the morning came I was taken to a shed and filled with nice new milk. This was continued until I got a little shabby. After a good while I was taken to the wash-house to carry water from the pump to the boiler, and from the boiler to the tubs, and after this I was taken back to the cowshed, but I was not filled with new milk again, but with chaff for the cows. Then I was cleaned and used as an ash-bucket, until about a month ago I met with an accident, and so I was thrown aside as useless. For two days I lay in a shed, and then I was thrown over the fence, but on Wednesday I was taken out of the paddock and used as a tin can by some little boys who were tin-canning a newly married couple. Dear Dot, I must come to a close now as it is getting rather late. — Yours

lavercargill, October 18.

Dbab Dot, — I am a Donkey. Every day my master makes me carry a heavy load of sand from a river three miles away from my home. Sometimes he gives me too much to carry, and I have to lie down to see if he will take some off. He never does, and the other day to be even with me he loaded me with sponges. I lay down, but lo ! instead of taking them off he let me lie until they soaked up the mud and water. Then he made me get up, and I had to totter ou to my journey's end as best I could. Don't you think me a very ill-used animal, Dot ? I am sure all the little folks will agree. I can assure you I have not lain down since. Is it not too bad in one's old days to be used so cruelly ? Now perhaps you would like to koow how I, a donkey, came to write to you. Last week my master was leading me along and he was reading the Witness. I saw letters from little folks, also from various animals, but none from a donkey, so I thought I would break abruptly in on your column with my tale of woes. I think I shall soon change masters, for yesterday a man was talking to my master, and he was looking sharply at me the while. Then he took out his purse and gave master a few papers. Shall I write again and let you know the result ? — Yours truly, An Aged Donkey.

Woodlands, October 21

Beam. Dot, — I am a Pink Rose. I have fh c sisters, but they are not roses like me. I grow in a pretty garden, and I go to sleep at night, and wake up in the morning by the sun shining on me. A little girl who goes to pchool picked me and gave me to her teacher, and she put nao on the mantelpiece, and the next morniDg I was faded. — Yours truly, A Rosio.

Enwood, October 18

Dear Dot, — I am the Flower Pot spoken of by the Old Dish. I was made at the same place as the Old Dish was, but I have not seen it for a long time. A lily of the Nile was planted in me, and I was sent to East Invercargill as a present. I was placed on a sideboard

became Countess of Gifford), whose Irish songs — " I'm sittin' on the stile, Mary," and others — are so well known.

Mr Cochrane Morris has been " doon the watter," and up and down certain other parts of Scotland. He has published the resulting anecdotes, with his own illustrations, in a book with the title, "An Unco Sbravaig," which is published by Messrs Wardjj and Downey.

Mr John Murray announces an " Introduction to the Study of the Greek Testament," by Mr Theophilus D. Hall, intended for those who posses 3no knowledge of the Greek language. It will contain a brief account of the principal MSS. and editions ; a connected narrative of our Lord's life from the Synoptic Gospels (based on St Mark), in the original Greek, together with a grammar, vocabulary, and explanatory notes.

Mrs Deland is at work on a new novel which is said to be likely to succeed " John Ward, Preacher," in popularity. It will run first in The Atlantic Monthly, probably beginning with the October number. It is to be called " Philip and His Wife," and will deal with the problem of divorce for imcompatability.

A book that promises to be one of the most attractive of Christmas presents will be issued in the autumn by Messrs Lawrence and Bullen. This is au illustrated edition of Hans Christian Andersen, which, from the richness of its get-up and the beauty of its pictures, promises to be a serious rival to all other editions now in the market.

Sir Arthur Sullivan, the eminent English composer, executes his work with remarkable rapidity. The overture to " lolanthe " was commenced at nine o'clock one evening and finished at seven the next morning ; tliat to " The Yeoman of the Guard " was composed and scored within 12 hours ; and the melody and score of " The Golden Legend" were commenced and finished within the space of 24 hours.

Messrs Sampson Low, Marston, and Co. have in the press for early publication a volume of travel entitled " Two RoviDg Englishwomen in Greece," by two venturesome English ladies. The travellers were Miss Isabel J. Armstrong and her friend, Miss Edith Paytie. The former is responsible for thn narrative, which will be illustrated by reproductions from sketches by Miss Armstrong's pen. Wh-.n ex-President Harrison retired from the White House the Amcricjn pi l >Hfihers overwhelmed him wi'h cll'-rs of laige sums for literary woik. Ooe fun), for instance, offered £2000 for a biiuf leg il handbook, while a magazine editor tried to tempt him with the oJfe- of £500 for a political nrlicle. Every day almost, fcr months past, he has received some communication of this kind.

it, and a big thunder cloud was creeping down on it. We watched the cloud, and in a short time it came to us. We went into a bush where little birds were singing with all their might and the rabbits were all outside. When the rain commenced the rabbits all gave a stamp and a kick and ran inside their holes, the little birds stopped singing, and the fog got so thick that we could hardly see the tops of the trees. We stayed in the bush about two hours, and some little birds not much bigger than a thimble sat near us, wondering what we wanted. We at last started for home, but it rained terribly hard. We saw a lot of little lambs standing close beside their mothers, shivering with cold. — Yours truly, Ellen M'Gregor.

Wendon Valley, October 14.

Dear Dot, — I am another resident of Bast Invercargill. I am a Goldfish. I have three companions. I had five, but two went to Georgetown. One little one died. He swallowed a big fly, and it choked him. Was it not a pity, Dot? We came all the way from America. A lady brought us in a billy, for we live on nothing but water, changed every day. This lady travelled in America for a year, and on board a ship she made the acquaintance of a cousin of the family. We are with her now. The cousin gave us to her to bring here. Was it not kind of her to take such a lot of trouble ? I often pu6h my head above the water to take a breath of fresh air, and then I see what is going on. We are kept in a large glass dish, so we can see as well as hear. We are gold on our backs and silver underneath. My name is Gold Fin. Do you think it is pretty? The little one that died was named Napoleon. I suppose you have never had a letter from a goldfish before. I think you would like to see us, for we are told we are very pretty. We have been here just one month, and our owner says that the one who sent us would never know what pleasure we give the children. Good-bye, dear Dot. Is my letter too long ? — Yours truly,

Gold Fin

Invercargill, October 14-.

[Not a bit, Gold Fin. It is very interesting. Daisy will find her question replied to in Notes and Queries. — Dot.]

Dear Dot, — I am Gold Fin's sister, and my name is Silver Side. Do you like that name ? I know somebody who wanted to call me Judy and Gold Fin Punch. Ib was cruel, was it not, to call goldfish such ugly names ? We are over at Georgetown, as the place at East Invercargill is getting new rooms on to it and alterations, so we would be in the way, and we were sent over here. Our other companion is dead. He died last week, and Gold Fin and I are very sorry. lam sending you some riddles which I heard long ago. — Yours truly, SiLVEr Side.

Invercargill, October 19,

Dear Dot, — In the commencement of my knowledge of the world I was a bright new Bucket. When I first looked around where I was placed, I saw some buckets just like myself and a great many other things. That day I

in one of the rooms, but someone knocked against me and I fell down and got my edge broken, and I was not used again, but was put under the house. Dear Dot, may I write again and tell you what becomes of me ? — Yours truly, Flower Pot.

East Invercargill, October 14-.

[Of course you may, bub now that you are disabled I do not think you are likely to have many stirring adventures. — Dot.]

Dear Dot, — I am a pretty little Black and White Pup. My name is Spot, and I don't like it at all ; will you please give me a nice name. I hear my master saying that I am to be drowned on Monday, but I think I will run away on that day. Don't you think I deserve a little sympathy, Dot ? May I write again if I do not get drowned P — Yours truly, The Black and White Pup.

Roxburgh, October 13.

[I am afraid there is very little use giving Spot a new name, as he has ere now no doubt departed this life. If, however, he has run away and thus escaped drowning he might very well be called Rover, and as a rover he will no doubt be able to tell us something of interest in his next letter. — Dot.]

LITTLE FOLKS' BIDDLES.

764. By Andrew Petrie, Dunedin :— (1) What is majesty stripped of its externals? (2) Why did the accession of Victoria throw a greater damp over England than the death of King William ? 765.— 8y Silver Side, Georgetown :— (I) Which is the largest table in the world ? (2) Which is the smallest bridge in the world ? (3) Which is the easiest table swallowed ?

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S RIDDLES.

760. By Nellie Thomson, Milton :— A needle. 761. By Andrew Petrie, Dunedin :— (1) He took a chop at the King's Head. (2) When it's madder. 762. By Pussy, Oamaru :— Letter b (let her be). 763.— 8y Three School Girls, Akatore.— (l) Because the cat'll (cattle) eat it ; (2) to keep his head warm.