near which his sheep were feeding, he observed a small canoe gliding
down the stream. A single native was in it, who, as soon as he saw him,
paddled up to where he stood. The stranger leaped on shore, and asked
Harry, in Maori, pointing to the hill, whether he did not belong to that
place. As Harry understood very little Maori, he could but imperfectly
comprehend what the man, who appeared to be delivering a message, was
saying. The stranger, perceiving this, tried to help his meaning by
dumb show, and Harry heard him repeat the name of Hemipo several times.
The man placed himself on the ground, and shut his eyes, as if he was
asleep, then he jumped up, and, moving away, ran up to the spot, and
pretended to be lifting up a person whom he carried to the canoe. He
did this several times then he flourished his arms as if engaged with a
foe, leaping fiercely about from side to side, and then jumped into his
canoe and began to shove it off, as if he was going to paddle up the
stream. He returned, however, again coming up to Harry, and, with an
inquiring look, seemed to ask whether he was understood? Harry asked
him to repeat what he had said, and at length made out, as he thought,
that the stranger wished to warn him that the settlement would be
attacked at night, while the inhabitants were asleep, by Hemipo, whose
object was to carry them off as prisoners, but when this was likely to
take place he could not discover. The stranger, who was evidently in a
great hurry to be off again, seemed satisfied that he was understood,
and, getting into his canoe, paddled rapidly up the river.
"I wish that I understood the Maori better," thought Harry, "I should
not then be in doubt about the matter; however, it will be as well to be
prepared. We will fortify our house, and keep a bright look out, and
I'll tell the other people to be on the watch."
He soon after met Toby, and telling him to look to the sheep, hurried
homewards. Lucy listened calmly to his account.
"There is, I fear, no doubt that some harm is intended us," she
observed. "But we must pray that it may be averted, and do what we can
to guard against it. I think our six native labourers are faithful, and
we must place three of them in the house, and send the other three out
as scouts to give us notice of the approach of an enemy. I propose also
that we have a large pile of firewood made above the house, that, as
soon as danger threatens it may be lighted as a signal to our friends in
the neighbourhood. You must tell them of our intention, and ask them to
come to our assistance as soon as they see the fire blazing up."
"You ought to have been a man, and you would have made a first-rate
soldier," exclaimed Harry, delighted at Lucy's idea. "It is the wisest
thing that could be done; I'll tell everybody you thought of it, and I
am sure they will be ready to help us."
"But perhaps they will think that the whole place is to be attacked, and
if so, the men will not be willing to leave their own homes and
families," observed Lucy.
"Oh, but I am sure the Maori intended to warn us especially, for he
pointed to our hill while he was speaking," said Harry. "Then he
mentioned Hemipo, who probably has a spite against us for rescuing
Waihoura from him. However, there's no time to be lost. I'll tell the
men to cut the wood for the bonfire, and go on to let Mr Osburn and our
other friends know about the matter."
Having charged Lucy and Betsy to close the doors and windows, and not to
go out of the house, he went to tell the other people. The farmer was
out, but he told Mrs Greening what he had heard.
"Oh, it would be terrible if any harm was to happen to Miss Lucy, and
the Squire and Master Val away," exclaimed the good woman; "I'd sooner
our place were all burned down than that--I'll go round to her and
persuade her to come here--then, if the savages go to your house they
will not find her, and if they come here, the farmer and Tobias, I'll
warrant, will fight for her as long as they have got a bullet or a
charge of powder remaining."
Harry warmly thanked Mrs Greening for her generous intentions, though
he doubted very much whether Lucy would consent to leave the house. He
then hurried on to the village.
Mr Spears, at whose house he first called, was thrown into a great
state of agitation on hearing of his apprehensions.
"I'll go round and tell all the other people, and we will see what can
be done," he exclaimed, getting down his musket. "We will fight bravely
for our homes and hearths; but dear me, I wish all the people who are
away would come back. These savages are terrible fellows, and if they
were to come suddenly upon us at night, as you fancy they will, we may
find ourselves in a very unpleasant predicament."
While Mr Spears went off in one direction, Harry continued on to the
house of their friend Mr Osburn, which was at no great distance. He,
though expressing a hope that the stranger had been amusing himself at
Harry's expense, undertook to collect the rest of the neighbours, and to
make preparations to go to his assistance should the signal-fire give
them notice that the house had been attacked.
"I would offer at once to go up and assist in guarding you," he said.
"But I am afraid that our other friends will not be willing to leave
their own cottages undefended; indeed, I think we shall more effectually
assist you by following the plan you propose. Still, I would advise you
not to be over anxious about the matter, though you will do wisely to
take the precautions you propose."
Harry, feeling somewhat proud of himself, and tolerably well satisfied
with the arrangements he had made, returned home. He found the farmer
and Mr Greening at the house. They had in vain attempted to persuade
Lucy to pass the night at their house--she would not leave Harry, who
said that, as he had charge of the place, nothing would induce him to
desert his post, and they hoped, with the precautions taken, they might
escape the threatened danger.
"Depend upon it, if the savages really come and find us prepared they
will not venture to attack the house," said Harry.
"Well, well, I like your spirit, Master Harry," said the farmer. "I'll
be on the watch, and if I hear the sound of a musket I shall know what
it means, and will be quickly round with my four natives."
At length the farmer and Mrs Greening took their departure. Harry had
spoken to the native servants, who seemed fully to understand what was
expected of them, and promised to be vigilant. Betsy had undertaken to
keep a lantern burning, and to run out at the back-door at the first
signal of danger, and light the bonfire. Harry tried to persuade Lucy
to go to bed.
"Of course I shall sit up myself and keep watch for anything that
happens," he said; "and if you fall asleep, Lucy, I'll awaken you if
necessary."
After commending themselves to the care of God, and reading together, as
usual, a chapter in the Bible, the two young people sat down with their
books before them to wait the issue of events, Harry, however, every now
and then got up and ran to the door to listen, fancying he heard some
sounds in the distance. Hour after hour passed by, and neither foe nor
friend appeared. The night seemed very long, but at length the morning
light streamed through the openings above the shutters. Harry opened
the door, the air was pure and fresh, and the scene before him appeared
so calm and peaceful, that he felt much inclined to laugh at his own
fears. The native servants, who had been on the watch, came in also,
and declared that they had seen no one, nor heard the slightest sound
during the night to alarm them. In a short time farmer Greening
arrived, and expressed his satisfaction at finding that they had had no
cause for alarm.
"Perhaps after all, Master Harry, the man was only passing a joke on
you, though it was as well to be on the safe side, and to be prepared."
Lucy had several visitors during the day, who appeared much inclined to
consider they had been unnecessarily alarmed.
"We may or may not have been," observed Harry, "but I intend to keep the
same look out tonight as before."
The second night passed over like the former, and Harry himself now
owned that unless the stranger purposely intended to deceive him, he
must have misunderstood his meaning.
The evening came on, the cows had been milked, the pigs and poultry fed,
and other duties attended to. They were in their sitting-room reading,
when Betsy came in and announced Mr Spears.
"I hope I don't intrude, Miss Lucy," he said, putting his head in at the
doorway in his usual half-hesitating manner, "but I could not shut up my
house for the night without coming to inquire how you are getting on.
Well, Master Harry, the Maoris who were to attack us have turned out to
be phantoms after all, pleasanter foes to fight with than real savages.
However, you behaved very well, my young friend, and I hope you will get
a quiet night's rest, and sleep free from alarm."
"Thank you for your kind wishes," answered Lucy, "but still I hope that
you and our other friends will be on the watch, for I cannot feel
altogether secure till our father and brother return."
"Never fear, Miss Lucy, we will be ready if your phantom foes come.
Pardon me, Master Harry, for calling them phantom foes, but such they
are, I suspect. Ah! ah! ah!" and Mr Spears laughed at his own conceit.
As Lucy did not wish to encourage the little man, she did not invite
him to sit down, and, somewhat to her relief, he soon went away.
Mr Spears had reached home, and was shutting up his cottage, when,
looking towards the hill, he saw the beacon fire blazing up. He rushed
back for his musket, and began to load it in great haste; but in vain he
pulled the trigger, it would not go off--no wonder, for he had forgotten
to put on a cap. Not discovering this, having knocked at the doors of
his immediate neighbours, and told them that the settlement was
attacked, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him to Mr Osburn.
Though that gentleman turned out immediately, it was sometime before he
could collect the rest of the inhabitants, when some with firearms, and
others with pitchforks, or any weapons they could lay hands on, rushed
up the hill towards Mr Pemberton's farm. They were joined on the way
by farmer Greening and Tobias. All round the house seemed quiet, and
not a sign of a Maori could be discovered.
"There's been some trick played," said farmer Greening, "for all my
servants went off this evening, and I should not be surprised that Mr
Pemberton's have done the same; but I hope Master Harry has kept the
door shut, and not let the enemy inside."
As may be supposed, on reaching the house, their consternation and grief
was very great when they discovered that the inmates had gone; and from
the overturned chairs, and the back and front doors being open, their
alarm for the safety of their young friends was greatly increased.
"The savages have undoubtedly come and carried them off, but we may yet
be in time to overtake them, if we can ascertain in what direction they
have gone," said Mr Osburn.
"See, the orchard gate is open," said farmer Greening. "They must have
gone this way, by the path which leads to the river." They went on a
little farther, when Tobias picked up a handkerchief.
"That must be Miss Lucy's," he exclaimed, "and probably dropped on
purpose," observed Mr Osburn.
On reaching the river, no signs, however, of the savages nor their
captives were to be seen; and though they hurried along the bank for
some distance, they were at length compelled to return, in a state of
increased anxiety for their young friends, to the settlement.
CHAPTER NINE.
THE RESCUE.
LUCY AND HARRY CARRIED OFF BY HEMIPO, WHO TAKES THEM TO HIS PAH.--LUCY
EXPLAINS THE TRUTH TO A NATIVE GIRL WHO ATTENDS HER.--WAIHOURA APPEARS,
AND ASSISTS THEM TO ESCAPE.--ENCOUNTER HEMIPO, WHO IS CONQUERED BY
RAHANA.--HEMIPO ALLOWED TO GO FREE.--HAPPY RETURN TO RIVERSIDE WITH
WAIHOURA AND HER PARTY.--GREAT REJOICINGS.--HEMIPO BECOMES A
CHRISTIAN.--WAIHOURA MARRIES RAHANA, AND THE SETTLEMENT FLOURISHES.
Lucy and Harry were spending their evening, as was their usual custom,
Harry reading aloud while his sister sat by his side working.
Mr Spears had not long gone away, when a slight knock was heard at the
door.
"I do believe it must be that Mr Spears come back again," observed
Betsy, getting up to open it. As she did so, what was her horror to see
the figure of a tall Maori warrior, his face painted red, with his merai
or axe in his hand.
"Run, Miss Lucy! run, Master Harry, and hide yourselves!" she exclaimed,
attempting to push back the door. Her efforts were vain, the savage
dashed it open and stalked in, followed by a dozen or more Maoris.
"Light the bonfire!" exclaimed Lucy,--and Betsy, springing by her, made
her escape at the back-door. Harry tried to drag off Lucy in the same
direction, but they were both instantly seized by the Maoris, two of
whom sprang after Betsy. Scarcely a word was spoken by any of the
natives, and Lucy had been too much agitated and alarmed to shriek out.
The leader, in whom, by his sinister features and fierce looks, Lucy
recognised Hemipo, had raised his weapon as if to strike Harry, but he
restrained himself on finding that there was no opposition. He and one
of his companions now bound Harry's arms, making signs to him that if he
made any noise his brains would be dashed out. Two others then lifted
up Lucy, and taking a cloak which hung on the wall, threw it round her.
Plunder did not appear to be their object; for, although numerous
articles were lying about which would have been of value to them, none
were taken. The savages now lifted up Lucy and Harry in their arms and
carried them out of the house. Harry looked round, hoping to see some
of the native servants. No one appeared.
"I hope, at all events, that Betsy may have set light to the
signal-fire, that if we are carried away our friends will come in
pursuit of us," he said to himself.
Great was his disappointment when directly afterwards he saw Betsy
brought along in the arms of two of the savages.
"I have done it though, Master Harry," she exclaimed, loud enough for
him to hear. "I had just time to throw the candle in among the sticks
and paper before they caught me,--I do not think they saw what I had
been about, or they would have stopped and put it out."
A savage growl, and the hand of one of her captors placed over her
mouth, prevented Betsy from saying any more.
The whole party now moved down the hill at a rapid rate towards the
river. On reaching the bank the young captives were placed on board a
canoe, several of which were collected at the spot. Harry felt a little
relieved when his arms were unbound, and he was allowed to sit at his
ease beside Lucy. The savages evidently supposed that he would not
attempt to leap out and swim on shore.
The flotilla shoved off. The night was very dark, but the Maoris, well
acquainted with the river, navigated dexterously amid the rocks and
occasional rapids in their course. Now and then the water could be seen
bubbling up on either side, and sometimes leaping over the gunwale, and
once or twice so much came in that Harry feared the canoe would be
swamped.
"If we are upset, stick to me, Lucy," he whispered. "I'll swim with you
to the shore, and we will then run off and try and make our escape."
Lucy felt confident of her young brother's courage, but feared that
there was little prospect of his succeeding in the attempt. Poor Betsy
shrieked out with alarm. A threatening sound from the man who steered
the canoe warned her to keep silence.
There had been for sometime a strong wind, it now increased, and blowing
directly against them, greatly impeded the progress of the canoes.
Still the Maoris persevered. At length a loud clap of thunder burst
from the sky. It was succeeded by several terrific peals, while vivid
flashes of forked lightning darting forth showed that they were passing
between high rugged cliffs which rose on either side of the stream,
overhung with trees, amid which the wind roared and whistled as they
waved to and fro above their heads, threatening every instant, torn up
by the roots, to fall over and crush them. The thunder rattled louder
than ever, reverberating among the cliffs. Just then a flash, brighter
than its predecessors, which came hissing along close to the canoe,
showed Harry the savage features of Hemipo, who was sitting in the stern
steering. Still the canoe went on, indeed, as far as Harry could see
there was no place on either side where they could have landed, and he
earnestly prayed that, should any accident happen, it might be further
on, where there would be a hope of reaching the shore. Lucy sat with
her hands clasped in his, and her calmness and self-possession gave him
courage.
"Oh, what a dear brave little sister mine is," he thought to himself.
"I would willingly give up my life to save her's. I wonder what these
savages will do with us. They surely cannot be so barbarous as to
intend to kill her,--they may knock me on the head very likely, and I
only wonder they did not do so at first, it would have been more like
their usual custom."
The rain was now falling in torrents. Harry drew the cloaks which had
been thrown over Lucy and Betsy closer round them. He was himself
quickly wet through, but for that he cared little.
Though it was evident that the paddlers were straining every nerve to
urge the canoe onwards, he could judge by the appearance of the cliffs
that they were making but slow progress, sometimes, indeed, they were
almost brought to a standstill, then again they would redouble their
efforts, and the wind lulling for a short time, they would stem the
rapid current and get into calmer water. It was difficult to judge,
under the circumstances, how time went by, but it seemed to Harry that
the whole night was thus spent. Still the darkness continued, and hour
after hour passed.
At length the banks came more clearly into view, and he could
distinguish the other canoes in company. Suddenly the cliffs on either
side ceased, and he found that they had entered a lake. Covered,
however, as it was with foaming waves stirred up by the storm, it seemed
scarcely possible for the canoes to make their way across it. After
they had in vain attempted to do so, and several of them had been nearly
swamped, Harry perceived that they were steering towards the shore.
They made their way up a small inlet, where, sheltered from the gale,
the canoes at length floated quietly, and their crews set to work to
bail them out. This being done, Harry observed that they were examining
their muskets, and fresh priming them, lest they should have become damp
with the rain. He hoped from this that they had not yet reached
Hemipo's district, and were still in that of some friendly tribe.
Meantime a man was sent on shore, who ran to the summit of a
neighbouring height, where Harry saw him looking round, as if to
ascertain whether any one was approaching.
On his return, after he had given his report, Hemipo landed, and with
scant ceremony dragged his prisoners out of the canoe, and signed to
them that they were to accompany him. Eight of the savages immediately
landed and closed round them. Having issued orders to the remainder, he
led the way towards the entrance of a valley which extended up from the
water. Lucy and Betsy could with difficulty walk after having been so
long cramped up in the canoe. Harry begged his sister to lean on him,
that he might help her along, and poor Betsy did her best to keep up
with them, for the savages showed no inclination to slacken their pace.
Every now and then, indeed, one of them gave her a rough push to make
her move faster. Harry felt very indignant, but knew that it would be
useless to expostulate, and dreaded lest Lucy might be treated in the
same way. The valley through which they were proceeding he found ran
parallel with the lake, and concluded, as was the case, that it would at
length conduct them to an upper part of the stream, which, had it not
been for the storm, Hemipo intended to have reached in the canoes. The
chief stalked on ahead, every now and then turning round to order his
followers to move faster. The valley, as they proceeded, narrowed
considerably; the sides, composed of wild rugged rocks with overhanging
trees crowning their summits, rising precipitously on either hand.
Harry observed that the chief, as they advanced, looked cautiously
ahead, as if he thought it possible that an enemy might appear to
intercept him. Suddenly he stopped altogether, and addressed a few
words to his followers, while he pointed up the valley. What he said
Harry could not understand, but several of the savages directly
afterwards drew their merais from their belts, and cast fierce looks at
their captives, which too clearly indicated their cruel designs.
"Oh, our dear father, my poor brother," murmured Lucy, as her eye
glanced at the savages' weapons, and she clung closer to Harry, thinking
of those she loved more than of herself. "Yet they cannot be so cruel."
"Are they going to kill us?" cried Betsy. "Dear, dear Miss Lucy," and
she stretched out her arms as if to protect her young mistress.
After waiting a short time Hemipo ordered two of his men to go ahead,
apparently to ascertain if the road was clear. They seemed satisfied
that such was the case, for at a sign from them he and the rest
proceeded as before. Harry, as they advanced, could not help looking up
frequently at the cliffs on either side, and more than once he fancied
he saw some person moving among the rocks as if observing them, while at
the same time endeavouring to remain concealed. If such was the case,
the person managed to escape the keen eyes of the Maoris, for Hemipo
went on, evidently not supposing that he was watched. At length they
emerged from the defile, and proceeding over a more open, though still a
hilly and picturesque country, till they again came in sight of the
river. By this time Lucy and Betsy were nearly dropping with fatigue,
and even Harry, though accustomed to exercise, felt very tired, but the
savages still urged them on, regardless of their weary legs. Harry felt
very indignant, but Lucy entreated him not to show his resentment.
At last a hill, round the base of which the river made its way, rose
directly before them, with a stockade on its summit, similar to that
surrounding Ihaka's village. Hemipo led the way towards it, and
ascended a narrow path, at the top of which appeared a gateway, with a
huge hideous figure above it. As he approached a number of women and
children and old men issued forth eyeing his captives with no pleasant
looks. Scarcely a word, however, was exchanged between the inhabitants
and him till they entered the pah, when the whole party seated
themselves on the ground, each of them singling out one of the new
comers, and began rubbing their noses together, howling and weeping,
while the tears, in copious torrents, flowed down their brown cheeks.
Under other circumstances, Harry, who with his sister and Betsy, were
left standing alone, would have felt inclined to laugh heartily at the
odd scene, but matters were too serious to allow him to do so now.
After the savages had rubbed their noses, howled, and shed a sufficiency
of tears to satisfy their feelings, they got up with dry eyes and
unconcerned looks, as if nothing of the sort had occurred. They then
came round their captives, who were allowed to stand unmolested, while
Hemipo was apparently giving an account of his adventures. Lucy and
Betsy trembled as they saw the fierce glances cast at them during the
chief's address; their lives seemed to hang on a thread, for any moment
his auditors, whom he appeared to be working into a fury, might rush
forward and cut them down with the merais, which, ever and anon, they
clutched as if eager to use them. At length he ceased, when another
orator got up, and appeared to be endeavouring to calm the angry
feelings of the assembly. Others spoke in the same strain, and at last
the orator, who had opposed Hemipo, having gained his object, so it
seemed, came up to the captives and signed to them to accompany him.
Leading them to a large wahre on one side of the pah, he told them to
enter. Lucy, overcome with fatigue, sank on a heap of fern, which
covered part of the floor.
"Cheer up," said Harry, "they do not intend to kill us, and I hope that
chief, who looks more good-natured than Hemipo, will think of bringing
us some food. I'll let him know that we want it." Harry went back to
the door at which the chief was still standing, and made signs that they
were very hungry. The chief evidently understood him, and in a short
time a girl appeared with a basket of sweet potatoes, some baked fish,
and a bowl of water. Lucy thanked her warmly in Maori, saying that she
might some day have the opportunity of rewarding her, adding--
"Our people will be grateful for any kindness shown us, and though we
have been most cruelly carried away from our home, yet they will not
revenge themselves on the innocent." The girl, whom Lucy supposed from
her appearance to be a slave, looked very much surprised.