A Messenger in Peril.

Next day Rochfort and his party followed them up, and when within about two miles of the village a messenger, Ruakawa, was sent to report that the Government men were coming. The Hauhaus regarded this man as a seceder and a spy, so they decided to shoot him. Some time elapsed before a man could be found to carry out the shooting. At last one volunteered, and seizing a gun went towards the door of the council-house, but before he could reach the spot where Raukawa was sitting several of his fellow-tribesmen stopped him, and the messenger was reprieved. Raukawa was allowed to return to the surveyor's party next morning. He said that he had found the Hauhaus busy making cartridges, but that after a night's talk they agreed to meet Rochfort and his friends.