Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/45

been invited by Ngatata to leave Kaiapoi and to reside at Koukourarata, in order to shield him from any attack by the Akaroa people. When the two men who deserted from Paewhiti were seen emerging from the bush above the Whatamaraki, every one expected they would soon arrive at the settlement; but it soon became evident that they had passed on to a neighboring village of Ngai te rangi. Taupori could not contain his indignation at what he regarded as a grievous slight offered to himself by the travellers, and he demanded that Ngatata should send at once and fetch them back. His demand was complied with, and a canoe was immediately sent to convey them back. On arrival, they were placed before Taupori, who asked them why they passed him. “Did you not know,” he asked, “that I was here for the express purpose of protecting Ngatata and his friends? Did you doubt my power to protect your lives? I am in doubt now whether I shall not kill you both, for the insult you have offered to me.” They then stood up one after the other; and replied to Taupori, and succeeded after a time in soothing his wounded pride, and inducing him to spare their lives. One of them, Te More, decided to remain and live with Taupore, but his companion asked permission to return to his friends.

But another runaway was not so successful in pacifying Taupori’s eldest son, Te Whare rakau, who felt injured in reputation by his distrustful conduct. Te Whare rakau had gone with his eldest boy to Pigeon Bay to fell totara trees for making canoes. He was engaged working on two, one called Te Ahi aua, and the other Te poho a te Atua, when a man named Kahuroa made his appearance, accompanied by his wife and children. When Te Whare takau saw him, he asked him to stay and assist him in his work. The man consented to do so, but during the night he went away with his family, and so