MIDST WAR AND STRIFE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 6, 6 July 1929, Page 18

MIDST WAR AND STRIFE

(By Noel Hoggard.)

v Next morning the travellers resumed their journey "Hooray! this is the life I like," exclaimed Paddy. "Roaming through the bush, expecbn a tattooed spalpeen of a Maori to poke his nose out at,you any minute. lam jist longin' to meet one, bejabbers!" I cant say that I particularly want to meet any," returned George, ill J^ 1S °" n°Wt a" '^ are CapturinS and murdering wherever They came upon a sad sight that day, just about noon. It was what had once been the home of some settler and his family, but now only *shes remained Scattered around were broken weapons and butchered owls and live-stock. All fallen before the ruthless Maori. Ihe shades of evening were just falling as the two rangers arrived. ■ red and foot-sore m the small settlement of Wanganui. Here they H^ote^anotSer d^ '^ °f ** ™to *»*>» «*» It was just before dawn, ihe early morning mist him- thickly around, when into the settlement galloped a horseman cry in- 'To arms' to arms! the Maoris are attacking!" ° The gates were instantly closed, and the palisades manned by the volvers W°men helped by loadinS.the rifles and re- , , ? n: on» came , the dreoded foe! Brandishing axes and rifles, their lank hair lied in a knot behind their heads, their faces fiendish and cruel in the early morning light. "Down with the pakehas! Death to them all!" nil »IS(T ll\ C "??' Cr aCk f l) 1C riflcS> tllC Shlicks of the mounded, and all the ghastly strife of war had started. The whites managed to repell the first attack. But on, on, still poured the relentless foe. They were lusting for white man's blood! George and Paddy were amongst the defenders, fighting as bravely as any of them. But what use was bravery in this case? The settlers were hopelessly out-numbered. Yet they kept on against fearful odds. Yon Temsky and his rangers being away, no help could be expected from them. To make matters worse, powder was running short. They S °"w?M f r Zy °f Their Wives and childre» de P ended on them. While there was life there was also hope! Suddenly George exclaimed: "What was that? Listen!" Hope rose ■n his breast. Could it be help? Yes! There was no doubt; he could 1 ■stinctly hear die thud, thud of hoof-beats. It was the Redcoats A bugle-call rang out, and a troop of mounted soldiers galloped *"v ?T ing tu 1T ST ds they Charged the Maoris- utteri»S a rousing Rntish cheer. The settlers answered back. Help had come in time. And kt "I „y P°,° r chaps were mounded, some very badly, yet like -» N-w Zealanders they made light of their hurts. 'How was it you arrived in time?" asked a settler of the Colonel •"tending the troops. "It was pure chance," returned the other. "We were on our way un north to iom Yon Temsky. There's trouble up there, I reckon, with the Maoris. However, we heard- those fiends attacking this settlement so we immediately rode up." ' "Thank God for that," fervently exclaimed a settler. -Colonel," struck in George, who had been standing near, "would-it be possible for my friend and me to go with you up north? We are ioinmg Ihe rangers, you know." J The Colonel gave them botli a searching look, and then let his steel grey eves travel over them. Padd" BesabberS> and is nieself that hopes he'll take us," whispered "Yes, I think you can come, my lads," said the Colonel. "We will be «ettins; out soon, so don't go ofar away." In the meantime the wounded were.cared for, their wounds bein<* washed and bandaged. Meals were then prepared, for during the sice? no time could be spared for eating. "Sure, and it's nieself ■ that's hungry," exclaimed Paddy, "I could eat an ox. skin and all." In half an hour or so the bugle rang out and George and Paddy collected their rifles and blankets. It was arranged that they were to ride spare horses. A dozen Redcoats were to remain "behind-in case of the Maoris returning. The rest, fifty in all, fifty-two counting George and Paddy, were riding to join Colonel Yon Temsky at Auckland. [To Be Continued.] .'• ■

SO BLOWS THE WIND. At two o'clock in tho morning, if you open your window and listen You will hear tho feet of the wind that is going to call the sun I And the trees in tho shadow rustle, and the trees in tho moonlight elisten And though It is deep dark night you fee] that tho night is done .