Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Tales of Banks Peninsula

No. 18—The Chief Paora Take's Story

page 180

No. 18—The Chief Paora Take's Story.

You want to know when Te Wherowhero came here. I will tell you, for I was one of the first to see him. Our interview came about in a strange manner. I was on my way from Port Lsvy to the Maori village at Pigeon Bay, which was situated close to where the steam wharf is now, 1 was accompanied by another Maori, named Hapakuku. On nearing Mr Hay's house we became aware that our movements were being attentively watched by several Europeans. My companion grew rather nervous when he found this out, and wished to turn back. He was too familiar with the dark doings of our own people in former times, not to suspect the white men of some evil design against us. I laughed at his fears, for I had mixed enough with white men to know he had nothing to apprehend from them As we drew nearer I recognised the Akaroa policeman, who was a friend of mine, and then was able to assure my companion of our perfect safety under his protection. When we got up to the Pakehas they all shook hands with us, and then the policeman asked us whether we knew anything about a boat that was then sailing up the harbour. We told him that it was not a Maori boat, and that we had noticed it entering the Heads from the south as we descended the hill. The white men then talked together, when the policeman told us that one of his companions was the mate of a whaling ship anchored in Akaroa Harbour, that six of the crew had run off during the night with one of the boats, that they had come in search of the deserters, and that if we would help to capture them we should be liberally rewarded. They believed that the approaching boat contained the missing men. We consented to assist them, and were told to keep about on the beach, while they retired to a neighbouring settler's house, where we saw them watching the boat with a spy-glass through the half open door. The boat made at first for the Maori pa, but the crew seemed page 181to change their minds, and headed straight for where we stood, at the mouth of the creek. On their coming within hail, they asked if they could get any food on shore, The settler who was with the policeman and mate when we first met came down, and told them that they could get what they wanted at his house. Four of the men then jumped ashore, leaving two in charge of the boat, We all walked up to the house together. On entering the kitchen I did not see the policeman or his mate; they were hidden away in an inner room. When the meal was prepared, the men sat round the table, and ate as if they were very hungry. Presently 1 was told to go to the beach and send up the other two, who were in charge of the boat, We all walked up to the house together. On my telling them my message, they seemed very glad, and jumped ashore without delay. I got into the boat and pushed off. As soon as I got clear of the beach, I hurrahed and danced about; to the evident astonishment of the two men, who stood for a while staring at me, and then went on, evidently never suspecting the cause of my shouts, which were so loud as to attract the notice of the people of the village, who ran out to see what all the noise was about, wondering what crazy fellow could be larking in such an idiotic manner as I appeared to be doing with the white men's boat. They did not know that it was a preconcerted signal between the policeman and myself. 1 pulled the boat in to the village, where I got the Maoris to help me drag up, and, after stowing away the oars and gear, I returned to the settler's house, where I found all the men still sitting round the table. As soon as I got in I stood with my back against the door, and a minute or two afterwards the bedroom door opened, and the policeman and mate walked into the kitchen It would have made you laugh to have seen the crestfallen expression on the faces of these men, who, with their legs under the table, could not stand up quickly, and could have no chance of escaping or successfully resisting, seven men standing behind the seats, and ready to pounce upon them if they ventured to move They exchanged looks while quietly submitting page 182to have their wrists manacled. As soon as they were all fastened together, we started for Akaroa Harbour, It was a rough journey for the sailors, fastened as they were, for the path that led up the heavily timbered valley was very narrow, and continually crossed by a narrow stream. On reaching the Head of the Bay we lighted a signal fire, and soon after a boat came from the whaler and took us all to Akaroa, where the deserters appeared before Mr. Robinson, the Magistrate, and were ordered by him to return to their ship, The captain took Hapakuku and myself on board with him, where he gave us each a good suit of clothes as a reward for our services, We slept on board, and the next day after breakfast I went on deck, which was almost entirely covered with empty casks, as the mate was busy stowing the full ones at the bottom of the hold. Wanting to have a look round, I stood upon some casks near the bulwarks, and looked over the side, I had not been many minutes there before I saw something that quite startled me: I saw a large ship opposite Onuku, and coming up the harbour without any sails—coming so fast that the water spouted from its bows like a wave recoiling from a rock bound coast. When I could get my breath I called out, "O, look year! look year! What dat? Water break all er same stone on er beats!" Several persons sprang to my side, amongst them the captain, who, as soon as he looked, said, "Steamer!" That was. the first steamer I ever saw. It was soon at the anchorage, and the whaler sent a boat on board, when I found that Sir George Grey, Te Wherowhero and Te Horeta were on board. Sir George asked where all the Maoris were, and I told him at Port Levy. He said, "Go and tell them that I am here with Te Wherowhero." I went off at once and returned the following day with twenty companions. We had an interview with the Governor, and then I went to Onuku, where Te Wherowhero had gone to confer with our people We stayed all together in William's large house. I woke in the night and found our guest smoking There was a large oil lamp burning, which gave a bright light. I saw him go out once, and noticed that his body page 183 was beautifully taltooed. His stay was very short, for the next day he and the Governor went away in their steamer, and we saw no more of Te Wherowhero.