Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/19

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Stories of Banks Peninsula.

crew, who, suspecting Moki’s design, sprang from the bows of the canoe on to the beach, shouting aloud, “My pa, Karaka! my bay, Kawatea!” Encouraged by the success of the attempt to secure an estate for himself, this young man, who was only a chief of secondary rank, resolved to proceed overland to the destination of Te Maka whiu. Accompanied by a few followers, he made his way from Okain’s to Gough’s Bay. In the forests he encountered Te aitanga a Hine mate roa, a wild race (thought to be enchanted black pine trees, whom he overcame and destroyed; and between Poutakaro and Otu tahu ao he fell in with Te ti a Tau whete ku, enchanted cabbage trees, that moved about and embraced each other like human beings. He also came across Te papa tu a Mauheke, an enchanted broadleaf tree. After a very adventurous march, Mahi ao tea rejoined the expedition at Karuru (Gough’s Bay), where he found the canoe already drawn up on the land, and preparations being made for the advance on Parakakariki, He learnt that after his departure from Okain’s the expedition had moved on to Otutahuao (Hickory), where they encamped. There an incident occurred which had caused considerable amusemeut. One of the leading chiefs had presented a basket of dried barracouta for distribution among the crew. Those whose place was nearest the stern got the first helping, and by the time the basket reached those who occupied the bows, only a few fine fragments remained. These were handed to a couceited chief named Whakuku, a sort of captain of the forecastle, who, on seeing what had fallen to his share, said to his companions, “Hold tight, hold tight to the fish dust!” (meaning that when his men fell in with Ngatimamoe, they should take care to secure for themselves something better than the leavings of the persons of higher rank). He dubbed the cave where they took their meal “The cave of