Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/154

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Billy Simpson.
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“Well,” said Te Pahi, “If you don’t give it to me I will come and take it,” and with that he left for the other pa, at which he was staying. On telling Rauparaha about the greenstone being refused to him, he said, “Tell Te Mairanui that if he does not give it to you we will make a prisoner of him instead, and take him back with us.” This message was duly delivered the next day, and still the greenstone was refused. Next morning, Te Pahi and six others went across to the pa, and, as usual, sat down. Each had a loaded musket in his hand. Te Mairanui and his men had had a talk, and agreed amongst themselves, if he came again to demand the greenstone, that they would kill him; so when they saw them come with the guns they formed a plan, and they were rushed from behind, and all of them clubbed to death, their own guns being used to finish them. The Maoris then commenced to fire them off, the sound of which was plainly heard by Rauparaha and the others. Shortly afterwards a canoe came down, bringing word of the fate of Te Pahi and his men.

Rauparaha heard the news of the death of his brother’s party, and was very “pouri,” but did not attempt to be revenged at this time. He said to his men, “Tenei a na kino mahi tan ka hoki ki te kianga” (this is bad work; we will return home); so, having got his men all together, he departed, vowing vengeance at some future time. On his way back he called at most of the pas where he had been well treated coming down, and laid them waste, killing great numbers of the Natives, who were not prepared for a mob of well-armed men like these. The pa which offered the greatest resistance was at the Kaikorai, where the Natives were well fortified on a small hill close to the sea. Rauparaha and his men attempted to take it, but were several times repulsed. He agreed to wait and starve them out, and, after doing this for a few days, he hit upon a