Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 7 (October 1, 1937.)

A Panic-stricken Flight

A Panic-stricken Flight.

“They shook hands with me, and let me pass outside; I had just got up from my blanket, and had not a stitch of clothing on as my uniform was not yet dry. I had a suspicion now that something was wrong. I did not attempt to take my arms. Passing the armed natives I walked towards my comrades, most of whom were now outside the huts. Then all with one accord realising that the Maoris were enemies, made a rush for the shelter of the bush, which was perhaps a chain away. Not a single one of us had any arms; our carbines, revolvers and swords were all in the huts.

“When we made the dash for the bush the Maoris did not fire immediately, as they were on both sides of us, and they could not fire without endangering their own party. The instant, however, that the troopers ran the gauntlet, a heavy volley was fired after us; the bullets knocked up the earth about me. The shooting continued as long as any of us were in sight; a great many shots were fired. I had only time for a hasty glance about me when I realised that we were trapped, but long enough to see that the place was full of Maoris; there must have been quite a hundred of them. Immediately the first volley was fired into us I took a different direction from that of the others, and dashed by myself for the bush, making to my left; they ran to the right.

Te Rangi-Tahau, of Taupo, who led the attack on the troopers at Opepe.

Te Rangi-Tahau, of Taupo, who led the attack on the troopers at Opepe.