Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/65
who was taken to Sydney, and from thence to England, where he was presented to King George, who was very kind to him, and made him several presents, and told him when he returned to his country to be good to the white man. On Te Pahi’s return, he was full of what he had seen in England. He appears to have been a very good man, and anxious to tell of the wonderful things he had seen to other tribes. He went with a small party in a canoe to Akaroa (Banks Peninsula), to pay a friendly visit to the chief, Te Mairanui. On his arrival, he and his party were treated very kindly. Not having any suspicion of the treachery in store for him, they all went into the pa, when Te Mairanui and his men fell on them and killed every man. When the news reached Kapiti, there was great excitement amongst Te Pahi’s tribe, of whom Te Rauparaha (after Te Pahi’s death) was head. Of course, as was the custom then, the tribe were bound to have their revenge on the first opportunity. This opportunity offered when Captain Stewart made his appearance. Whether Captain Stewart was aware of the real intention of the Natives is a mystery, but for certain he was promised a large quantity of flax. On the arrival of the vessel in Akaroa, the Natives, as was the custom, soon came on board to trade, among them the chief Te Mairanui and his daughter, a girl from ten to twelve years of age. During this time Te Rauparaha and his party were in the ship’s hold, keeping out of sight. As soon as the decks were full of men from the shore, Te Rauparaha’s party rushed up from below, and killed all they could, with the exception of Te Mairanui and his daughter, whom they took alive. Te Rauparaha and his men then went on shore, took the pa, and killed all they came across. It was rumoured that human flesh was cooked in the ship’s coppers, but this appears to be doubtful. The brig then sailed for the island of