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Ngamihi; or The Maori Chief's Daughter

Chapter LVI. A Fatal Shot

page 240

Chapter LVI. A Fatal Shot.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you," said the Captain returning, "that Captain Wilson has requested me to allow you off duty this afternoon, as he wants your company at his quarters. Miss Munroe will probably think this an encroachment on her privileges, but under the circumstances she ought to excuse you. I am delighted to hear of your approaching marriage, and I am sure you will be given a very good send off. Before going round to see Wilson give Andrews orders for the afternoon, and send word to the natives about the expedition to-morrow, and also see that the men are all armed."

On my way to Captain Wilson's quarters, I met Doctor Gill going home. After our first greeting was over he laughingly referred to the fun of the previous evening, and said that the way Jessie had led Dr. Preston on was too bad.

"Did you ever come across such a tease? I quite regretted telling her of my assistant's weak point, for she took every advantage of his failing. Indeed I could not help pitying the poor fellow."

"But you will forgive her, I am sure, Doctor, as it was only pure fun on her part," I remarked with a smile.

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"Of course I forgive her, Douglas; she does pretty well what she likes with everybody. But here we are at my sanctum. Come in and try my new imported cigars."

Doctor Preston was standing at the door with a cigar in his mouth when we approached.

"Many patients yet Preston?" inquired Doctor Gill

"No," he answered, "there appears to be nothing else to do here but to kill time."

"Well, said Doctor Gill laughing, "you'll find that good practice, this place has been getting disgustingly healthy lately."

"It is said that doctors find it was rather hard to live even in Auckland, but evidently things are worse here," remarked the young assistant as he knocked the ash off his cigar.

"Yes," answered Doctor Gill with a smile, "I believe that if it were not for the casualities that we occasionally suffer in our skirmishes with the Maoris, there would be no necessity for us at all. This climate is exactly suited to a British constitution, with the additional advantage of being free from the fog and generally unhealthy surroundings of the towns of the old country."

After smoking a cigar and conversing pleasantly, I took a hurried leave and wended my way to Captain Wilson's quarters.

"Good day, Douglas," he said, rising and shaking hands; "I was getting the blues, and wanted your company this afternoon, so I took the liberty of asking Captain Snell to let you off duty. Of course I know your time is pretty well taken up elsewhere," he added with a significant smile, "but I am sure she will not page 242mind your being with me for a little while. You are to be congratulated in making such a conquest, for Miss Munroe is a lady in every sense of the word, and held in the highest estimation by everybody in Wairuara. Captain Snell has informed me of Mr. Lovelock's wild proposal, which so far as I can understand was more of a burlesque than anything else. The refusal that he received, however, he appears to take to heart very much, as he consumes whisky and water all day, neglects his duty, and vows all kinds of revenge on you. I hardly know whether it is disappointed pique that has driven him to such a condition, or whether he really possesses in that cold nature of his a spark of some genuine attachment for Miss Munroe. But come out for a walk in the forest, as there are many things I wish to speak to you about—nothing like the open air on a fine day."

We walked slowly through the township, and soon found ourselves in the forest at the back of Mr. Munroe's house. A thrill of fear went through me as I caught sight of Zada and her maid Hema standing under a tree watching our movements. Instinctively I felt that some impending danger was lurking near us, and the astonishment I might otherwise have felt vanished as I saw the two girls. I refrained from telling my companion of my fears, who was very silent and appeared to be thinking deeply. At length he said:—

"Douglas, old fellow, you know all about my first meeting with Zada, and the subsequent events that brought us nearer together. I have taken your advice, and during the last few weeks have treated her as only a valued friend. I called at the house when you were all away the other day, and spent a couple of delightful hours with her. I was astonished when her first shyness had worn off, at the knowlege she displayed on the subjects we conversed about, and the natural refinement of her page 243manner and her easy style of conversation. In fact Douglas, I have never met a truer or more nobleminded girl. Her's is a nature deep and affectionate, and I am sure she would give her life freely for one that she loved. As for her beauty there can be no doubt about that. Do you agree with me, Douglas, from what you know of her?"

"I do, Captain Wilson," I answered with sincerity. "She is indeed all that you say. I have before extolled her good qualities, and since she has been residing with Miss Munroe she has developed traits of character which has considerably increased the already high opinion I had formed of her. She is a companion and friend that any gentleman might be proud of."

Captain Wilson's eyes glistened, and he seized my hand warmly.

"Thank you, Douglas, old fellow. I value your opinion because you have had better opportunities of observing her. Well, to continue what I was saying:—When I bade Zada adieu after our long and happy interview, I left her more in love than ever, and I have now determined to ask her to be my wife. In her innocent way she betrayed by a something in her manner that she cared for me, and I intend——"

There was a quick rustle in the underwood close by, and suddenly Zada sprang across the path with a wild scream. Throwing her arms quickly round Captain Wilson, she backed him swiftly against a tree, but too late. Almost at the same moment a rifle shot rang out with startling distinctness, and a white puff of smoke could be seen coming from the trees, followed by a piercing cry of pain from Zada as she sank to her knees, struck by the bullet intended for the Captain. Immediately after the shot half a dozen wild looking Maoris, their page 244faces distorted with demoniac glee, headed by a tall cruel looking chief, whom I at once recognised as Kiapo from his description, sprang upon the path and all levelled their rifles at Captain Wilson alone. Zada, though apparently mortally wounded, on catching sight of Kiapo, with a great effort rose to her feet, and pulling the carved rod from under her dress held it aloft, at the same time crying out in a voice which shook from the intense pain she was suffering:— "Kua mate ahau, Kiapo; kei te ora te pakeha (it is I that is shot, Kiapo; the pakeha lives)."

Had a bombshell been exploded in their midst it's effects could not have created greater consternation. They looked blankly at one another, and trembled visibly on seeing the symbol of authority which Zada still held in her hand. They turned angrily on their leader, who appeared dumbfounded at the turn events had taken, and muttered some words in a sharp undertone. Kiapo, however, appeared too agitated to hear them, but kept looking at Zada as if fascinated. Suddenly rousing himself he stepped forward and then hesitated, upon which he was seized by his companions and dragged off, when they presently disappeared among the trees in great haste.

"After they were gone Zada became insensible from loss of blood, and Captain Wilson was almost frantic with grief as he threw himself by her inanimate form lying at his feet.

"Oh, my darling! my darling!" he cried wildly, kissing her face and hands passionately; "you have saved my life at the cost of your own! My God! that it should come to this!" and here he gave way to a flood of tears.

Hema now appeared and threw herself on her knees beside her mistress, sobbing violently and murmuring:—"E noho e hine; e noho!"

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"Run, Hema!" I cried as I found that Zada's heart was still feebly beating, "and tell Dr. Gill to come here quickly—you know where he lives."

The girl understood and vanished in a moment, while I did what I could to staunch the blood with my handkerchief and the sleeve of my shirt.

An expression used at parting.