CHAPTER 111.

Otago Witness, Issue 2387, 30 November 1899, Page 50 (Supplement)

CHAPTER 111.

When Tukiauau learned the fate of Ake te Kura he urged the men at the paddles to put forth all their strength, and to get as lav away south as possible before Tv Iriroa had time to follow. For several days the canoes sped south, the fugitives resting at night in some sheltered bay or creek, of which there are many all the way down the coast, till at length they sighted the high, wooded peaks of Rakiura, across the strait. It was a beautiful calm day when the canoes crossed the strait, and many of the sheltered havens with which the island abounds were examined ; but well knowing that the Taieri chief would be on his track sooner or later, Tukiauau passed on to the stormy south side of the island, where the storm winds cast the waves high upon the rocks as they sweep up from the cold south, or come across from the direction of the setting sun. Fine weather favoured the flight of the fugitives, and before the storms broke forth again they had chosen a place for a pa — a long point of high-wooded land broke the force of the west winds, and a sheltered bay afforded a landing-place when the sea was calm. From the hill behind a good view across the sea was obtainable, and the dense bush could not be easily passed through by an enemy. Tukiauau depended upon the generally stormy character of the sea at the south side of the island as his best means of protection against a loe, and in this he was not wrong, for ' soon after the party landed a westerly gale sprang up, and for the, rest of that summer the sea was stormtossed. Tukiauau and his followers cut down the tall pines and the hardwood ratas, and built them a strong pa. During that summer and the following winter the fugitives lived there undisturbed by any foe, and Tukiauau thought he had found a quiet resting-place at last from the avengers of Manawa and Ake te Kura. There were birds in plenty in the unbroken forest with its deep impenetrable undergrowth of fern. Here the kakapo and the roa found food and cover and the weka a happy hunting-ground. Aloft among the treetops the kakas and the pigeons found plenty ol food, and their heavy flight from tree to tree showed how fat they were. The mut--tenbirds came in countless numbers, and made their nests amongst the rata roots by the shore ; and when their young were downy balls of living fat the parent birds flew away in black clouds, no one knew whither, leaving their young to develop feathers and the power of flight upon their reserve store of fat. This is the time when the Maoris catch the young birds and preserve them in kelp-bags, or split them open and smoke them, after which they will keep for a long time hung up in the whata. There were fish in plenty, too, in the bays and sheltered gulches, and abundance of eels in the creeks. Anxiety about food gave the followers of the fugitive chief no concern, for they could always get plenty for the trouble of catching it. The only thing they lacked in their daily menu was the dried fern root, which the damp climate of Rakiura did not favour.

After the flight of Tukiauau and the death of Ake te Kura, Tv Iriroa held a council of war with the other Taieri chiefs — Moua, Tama Kaipapa, and Tv Hokairangi — concerning the due punishment of Tukiauau and his son Korokowhiti. From other hapus along the coast they learned the whereabouts of the fugitives, but Moua, who had been there in his great war canoe, told of the wild storms that swept the strait, and made a canoe passage across a matter of great danger. But nothing would turn Tv Iriroa from his purpose ; so great preparations went on through the autumn and winter months. The largest totara trees that could be found in the fertile gullies near the Taieri River were cut down and great war canoes made. Then when the summer came again and the yellow kowhai draped its hanging branches in golden tassels a war party of picked men set forth in the big war canoes. But the sea grew stormy often, and there was much delay, for the canoes had to shelter many days in havens of refuge along the coast. Three times the crescent moon had grown round, and was waning again before the passage of the stormy strait was successfully accomplished.

Watching their chance, as the weather permitted, the avengers cruised round the island along the north coast and west about intending to surprise Tukiauau from a direction in which he would not expect a foe. It took a long time to get round the exposed west coast of the island, for the prevailing winds were from the west, and when there was wind it generally blew a gale. However, nothing would deter the avengers of Manawa and Ake te Kura from their pur-

pose. Often they had to wait ashore for days with the canoes hauled into some sheltered creek before progress for a single day could be made.

But their determination triumphed over wind and weather, and at length the runaway slave from Tukiauau's pa, whose services had been enlisted at Toetoes, showed them the projecting point that sheltered the kainga of Tukiauau. They landed where a small island acted as a breakwater for the waves that came booming on the rocks, and a deep creek afforded a splendid harbour for the canoes. Scouts were sent to view the pa, and they reported that it was very strong. The gate was on the side next tho bay, and for some distance the forest had been cleared away all round. That night the war party rested, and did not kindle any fires till it was dark, lest the people of Tukiauau might see the smoke, and so be on their guard. The pa was impregnable unless taken by stratagem, so they resolved to wait. Daily the scouts climbed the high hill, and saw the movements of the people and noticed their habits. At length a day came when all the men went to sea fishing, and the scouts reported that the canoes had gone away round the next point into the quiet harbour there, where there were plenty of codfish and moki. The war party knew that the men would be away most of the day, and only the old feeble men and the women and children be left behind.

Now was the time to begin the work of vengeance, for time does not change the purpose of those who have to heat the hargis for their ancestors. Swiftly and silently the armed party crept through, the forest where there was no track and were at the gate of the pa before the busy women, who were preparing the ovens for the fish, had time to raise the alarm. The warriors rushed in, and the women picked up their children and fled into the whares ; but in. vain, for the armed men were soon within, and slaughtered the old men and the women and children — all except two young boys, whose comely features attracted the attention of Tv Iriroa, who spared their lives. With wonted cunning, the avengers waited the return of the fishing party before anything further was done. Unsuspecting the presence of a foe, the men came up to the pa, bearing with them some of the fish for the women to cook 'before they prepared the balance for smoking and curing. When they entered the pa, and saw no signs of anyone, only the smoking ovens, they called out to the women : " Are you asleep, there? Is this the way to treat those who bring you food-i — "

The response came in the shape of a wild rush of armed men, with shouts of " Avenge Manawa! Kindle the ovens for Ake te Kura! The last hour of Tukiauau is come ! Kill the slayer of Manawa ! Destroy the murderer of Ake te Kura! Better food than fish will fill the ovens to-night!" Andbefore Tukiauau and his followers had time to recover from their surprise, Te Hokairangi, who led the attack, and his followes fell upon the unarmed men, and put them all to death. Fortunately for Tukiauau, the spear-thrust of Tv Iriroa pierced his heart, for had he fallen wounded only nameless tortuies would have awaited him. The avenging of Manawa and Ake te Kura was celebrated that night in true Maori fashion, the flesh of their slaughtered enemies making a fitting feast, and for several days the hakari was kept up, while the men held a tangi for the avenged.