Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/181

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Stories of Banks Peninsula.

taken. In April, 1869, the Hero arrived with stores from Napier. “Chips” fetched her into the river, and she discharged her cargo (which consisted of stores of all kinds, including grog) on to the bank. Now, the name of the chief of Mohaka was Paul Rurepu, who was a very great Rangitiera indeed. A wife of his was ill at this time, so he determined to send her to Napier in the Hero for medical advice. She agreed to go, but insisted on “Chips’” wife (who was a great friend of hers) accompanying her. The Hero did not intend to sail till the 12th of the month, but on the 8th “Chips” had a dream to the effect that if she did not leave the river the next day she never would. The presentiment left by this dream was so strong that he persuaded the captain to go to sea the following day, against his will, which turned out to be a lucky job for him, and all the others aboard. The Natives had a plantation about two and a half miles up the river, and the great majority of the young men and women were working there at the time. Whilst working at this plantation they used to sleep in some whâres there, only returning to the pa at intervals. More than sixty of them went to rest in these whâres on the night of the 9th April. They only woke to die, for at the first break of day some two hundred Hau Haus, led by the ferocious and pitiless Te Kooti, surrounded the whâres and mercilessly shot down and tomahawked all. Out of sixty-five only two—a man and a young girl—escaped to tell the tale. The sound of the firing was heard at the pas, and they knew that the Hau Haus were on them, “Chips’” brave old father-in-law came to him and said, “You must go and take your youngest boy with you, or his mother will go mad. It is better for you to go at all hazards, for they are sure to kill all the white men, but may spare the Maoris. I will remain here with the other children.” “Chips”