men, women, and children, sometimes each of them a grant of land, with im

for a length of a quarter of a mile, might be witnessed. The few Morioris that still survive may almost be counted on the fingers of the hands. The Maori population is also fast decreasing through disease and drink. Still they own a number of farms, and derive fair profits from the export of wool, and from the curing of young sea-fowl mutton birds and albatrosses whose inexhaustible nesting-places on the surrounding rocks they yearly visit for the purpose.

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The interest of the island annals culminates in the exciting episode of the escape of the rebel Te Kooti and his fellow-exiles. Sitting within sight of the scene of the occurrence, I recalled the narrative, told me by an actor in the drama, with the keenest interest, and I believe the story will bear repeating to my readers.

plements and seed, had been made to begin an agricultural life on the island where they must continue to live, the news was received with what looked like the silence of respect. One old chief alone spoke, and in the stately manner, and with the inscrutable countenance, for which the Maoris are distinguished, he replied: "The words of our master are excellent." Not a word or a gesture of dissatisfaction was expressed or evident, and indeed so little was any such feeling among them suspected, that the garrison was withdrawn almost immediately to New Zealand, only a man or two being retained to look after the undismantled redoubt, with, it is difficult to believe, sixty stand of arms and fourteen thousand rounds of ammunition practically unguarded within it. As the troops sailed away out of the bay it was a peaceful At the close of the first Maori war a picture on which their eyes rested — number of the leaders in the rebellion, the deserted redoubt facing them on among whom Te Kooti was the most the top of the cliff over against the important and dangerous, were ban- anchorage, the Union Jack fluttering at ished to the Chatham Islands under its pole, and the apathetic Hauhaus guard of a small English garrison. Te squatting Lound it on the ground, watchKooti, besides being a chief of high ing with unsuspected interest this, to rank, was also the recognized head and them, momentous departure, while on revered high priest of the Hauhau reli- the beach the usual crowd of Eurogion, a fanatical bastardy of Christian-peans and natives had congregated to ity, which had taken and still retains a speed the parting vessel. strong hold on the Maori mind. After a short period of stricter surveillance, these prisoners were, on account of and returned here on board the Rifletheir docile bearing, gradually treated man, on her voyage subsequent to the with less and less rigor. Their con- removal of the garrison. As we dropped tinued exemplary conduct brought them anchor a boat, manned by Hauhaus, wider privileges, till they enjoyed the was as usual brought alongside, in liberty of the whole main island during which was a youth with whom I had the day, having only to present them-long been very friendly. Although he selves within the redoubt at nightfall well knew that Waitangi was not the - their imprisonment being indeed port for my station, he, with an inlittle more than a formality. After a sistance I could not understand, begged few years of this apparently quietly permission to land my belongings, accepted exile, the government deter- which I refused to give, for the vessel, mined, against better advice, to grant as I pointed out to him, was going them their full liberty, but without the round to my own port next day in the right to return to New Zealand. Ac-ordinary course. Better take what cordingly they were assembled together, you can, sir, there are many dangers in and on the decision of the government the bay,' he repeated. I again debeing communicated to them that they clined, but changing my mind, I sent were once more free men, and that to him for my handbag in which was a

I had been

on a visit to New Zealand," to continue in the graphic words of Mr. Chudleigh,

considerable sum of money. Just say the word, sir, and have the rest with you,' he urged once more, as he handed it over the side. If I could then only have caught his meaning! But I was quite unsuspicious, and my well-wisher, evidently privy to the conspiracy that had been formed, dared not be more explicit.

not been so serious would have been intensely ludicrous. We were trampled on, kicked, and rolled over and over till our bodies were black and bruised and covered with dirt. Finding in this scrimmage a bare leg across my mouth, I lost my temper and fastened my teeth well in it. Our contest, however, was too unequal to last long and we were "Next day, while occupied in the both finally overpowered and with our court-house with Captain M-check- hands tied to our feet we were laid on ing the government accounts, one of the beach. My little ebullition of temthe long-shore loafers staggering in per all but cost me my life, for the from the public-house called out to us, fellow whose leg I had bitten was not 'You'd better see what's going on at unnaturally very furious, and having the redoubt, if you're wise men.' possessed himself of a rope, he enKnowing the fellow we ordered him out noosed my neck and with his foot at once. Very well,' he hiccuped as against my back did his best to strangle he took himself off, don't you blame me; but I fortunately managed to reme for not telling you.' Something in lease one hand and thrust it between the man's face struck me, and I sent the rope and my head. My assailant the interpreter to see if anything was then with his foot on my face attempted taking place. He presently hastened to dislodge my arm, but I had got my back to say that the Hauhaus were in fingers so well between my teeth that possession of the redoubt. We both his efforts resulted only in the tearing hurried out just in time to see the En- of their sinews. Finding it impossible glish flag coming down and Te Kooti's to strangle me he next seized the being run up the flag-pole under a salute coulter of one of the ploughs lying on of musketry. Captain M- rushed to the beach and intended for the use of the redoubt in the hope of staying the the Hauhaus, and lunged at my head. revolt, but as he approached, he was Luckily the Maoris have a habit of repulsed by a volley out of which he brandishing a weapon before striking, escaped with only a scratch. I ran to and I was able to dodge several of his the shore to find the master of the Rifle- blows. While he was swinging it in man and order him to slip his cable and the air for what I felt must be for me keep off and on the coast, for if the the last time, I saw his hand seized and vessel were safe the Hauhaus could a revolver presented at his face by one effect very little. The boatmen, who of his own people, who, having seen were Hauhaus, without actually refus- the attack from the redoubt hastened to ing, began excusing themselves from my rescue; for it appeared that strict taking him on board. As a matter of orders had been given by Te Kooti that fact everything had been well planned none of the officials or European resiand the Rifleman was already in posses-dents should be injured in person. My sion of the rebels. As I was disputing cords were cut and I was carried bleedwith them a harmless volley was fired ing to the courthouse. A few minutes from the redoubt, evidently the signal later a company of the rebels, as well for action. In a moment more the drilled as our own troops, was marched master of the Rifleman and I were on up by Baker, a handsome half-caste, our backs fighting and struggling. For- one of Te Kooti's lieutenants, and I tunately the Hauhaus were so excited was conducted to jail, where I found that they scarcely knew what they were many of my fellow-islanders already really doing. While they thought they lodged. This man Baker was the most were assisting each other, they were in intelligent and the cruellest of all Te reality struggling more with each other Kooti's officers. He had received an than with us, and the scuffle if it had excellent education in one of the mis

6

sion schools, he could speak and write sacrificed to the spirits of the ocean. English with remarkable accuracy, and The lot fell on a near relative of Te he was imbued with an implacable Kooti, and, as it was not a time to rehatred of the race to which his father spect persons, the order was given to belonged. On coming into my wool- throw him overboard, and he was acshed one day, some months previously, cordingly cast into the sea and perished. I found him laughing with the shear- There is little doubt that the favorable ers. On inquiring what was amusing wind which soon after sprang up was them, he replied, with boastful inso- credited to the offering they had made. lence, Oh! I was just telling them The news of the arrival of the rebels on about the chirping birds I killed in the coast of the North Island of New Hawke's Bay during the war. I found Zealand soon reached the government, in one house two dead women they but the parties of troops sent out had been friendly to the whites- with against them were unfortunately too two gore-covered infants sprawling over small, and a few successful resistances them crying to be fed. I took them up of recapture by Te Kooti, who had, it is and rapped the backs of their heads said, really intended to retire quietly to in, and cast their bodies to their dead the west coast, encouraged him to break mothers.' Just as he finished speak- into open hostilities, in which he was ing Captain M- came in, and I re- quickly joined by large numbers of his marked, This is the wretch who killed former companions-in-arms. This was the infants in Hawke's Bay during the the commencement of the second Maori war, you remember. He has just been rebellion which cost the colony £4,000,boasting of it.' My friend said noth- 000 sterling to reduce. Te Kooti and ing, but turned on him a glare of scorn his half-caste lieutenant, Baker, ter-a look which strange to say was to rorized a great part of the North Island, prove fatal for the half-caste on a moving from place to place, commitfuture day. On my way to prison I ting frightful enormities wherever they observed a dark object being washed appeared, and were pursued by the up and down on the beach by the sea queen's troops at a great disadvantage and drew the attention of my guard to through the forest-clad and river-interit. It turned out to be the master of sected country. The history of the the Rifleman, who had been left bound conflict is well known; but I may follow on the shore and forgotten till the rising Baker's fortunes to their close. Havtide had reached him. He had just ing raised a picked company of Englishsaved himself from being carried out to hating Maoris, he attired himself and sea by digging his finger-tips into the them in the queen's uniform, a cunsand as each wave receded, and when ning disguise, in which he succeeded in brought to join us in prison he was all approaching undiscovered close up to but done for. Te Kooti and his friends and in decimating more than one party had expected to find a considerable sum of government troops. The following of money in the government chest, but is one of his many daring atrocities. they were singularly disappointed; but Having learned that a party of Maori if they carried away little in coin they women, friendly to us, were to rendezwere, thanks to the carelessness of the vous with food for one of our native government, well armed and ammuni- companies at a whare in the forest, he tioned. Their search over, they lost no repaired thither with a couple of comtime in embarking on the Rifleman, panions to receive them, dressed as an whose mate and crew were impressed English officer. And when these poor to steer them for a designated port in women, without a suspicion of the deNew Zealand. Before the vessel had ception, carried their burdens into the got well clear of the coast they encoun- whare, he closed the door upon them. tered a heavy adverse gale. In their One woman at a time was passed out jeopardy and terror of failing in their to his companions and swiftly murdered escape, they cast lots who should be with the children that some of them

carried. When the ghastly deed was unsuspected evidence was a portion of completed, the dead bodies of the a skull of a bird brought thence amid a women, each with her child and the collection of beach débris to me in New food she had brought laid on her breast, Zealand a few days previous to my sailwere piled by the side of the door, ing by a visitor from Wharekauri — inon which he inscribed, 'Food for the deed, the obtaining of this bone was brave Arawas on their return.' A few the means of hurrying me off. I was days later Captain M- himself was fortunate in engaging its collector, Mr. hailed by Baker under the name of one W. Hawkins (who was returning on of the English officers known to be out board the Kahu), as guide and companafter the rebels. M-, somewhat sus- ion during my visit. A good observer, picious of the spokesman's identity, yet and an excellent horseman and camseeing that both officer and men were paigner, familiar with every foot of the in the queen's uniform, and that he had islands, he proved a most valuable asbeen hailed by name in perfect English, sistant. decided to advance to an interview. My first excursion was made to the Before setting out, however, he gave sand-hills in Petre Bay. It was a beauorders that his movements should be tiful morning after a night of rain when closely watched, and if they saw him Mr. Hawkins and I set out on horseput his hand on his revolver, or drop back. Our road for some miles passed suddenly to the ground, they were to along an avenue in the woods which fire straight on the party regardless of lay some distance inland from the shore, himself. On approaching within. a bordered with elegant-leaved matipos short distance of each other Captain M— recognized in a moment the eyes he had so sharply scrutinized in the Wharekauri wool-shed. He gave the agreed-on signal, and at the same instant a volley from his men cut down the most of the rebels. Baker himself was severely wounded, and though he lingered for some days, he succumbed before he could be adjudged the righteous reward of his crimes. Te Kooti, having succeeded in evading in the forest shades and among friendly tribes every attempt to capture him, was eventually pardoned by the crown at the close of the war. He still lives execrated throughout the land, and still a prophet and chief, he is to-day, even in his old age, one on whom the gov-roundings; for the undulations of the ernment requires to keep a watchful eye."

(Myrsine chathamica), dark - foliaged karaka trees (Corynocarpus lævigata), loaded with handsome clusters of large olive-like berries, and korimikos with their purple, bottle-brush flowers, a bushy species of veronica -a group of plants which here attain to great size and are peculiarly characteristic of the New Zealand region-the stately representatives of the lowly blue speedwell of our own hedgerows; while the thousand-shaded crannies of the limestone crags that cropped out among the trees were busked with masses of the freshest fern fronds. We rode rapidly in harmony, with the crisp, clear morning, and my eager hopes were heightened by the exhilaration caused by our sur

road or the numerous breaches in the sand-hills between us and the shore constantly gave and took from us charming pictures framed in foliage of the expansive bay on our left, whose waters,

The main object of my visit to the Chatham Islands was to search their geologically recent sand-hills in quest of remains of ancient bird forms of overarched by the cloudless azure, were which unsuspected evidence had come of a deep blue very characteristic of the to my knowledge, and to explore the old Chatham Island seas, and had just moMoriori kitchen-middens in the hope tion enough from the softest of zephyrs of ascertaining whether the extinct to play with the sunbeams, and ruffle moa, or any of the other characteristic into sparkling foam as they rolled gently birds of the mainland, had ever lived up in semicircles on the yellow beach, in this neighboring archipelago. This or rose and fell against the deep rust

It may be remembered that on the 13th of August, 1868, the shores of Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia were vis

which scores of cities were overthrown and thousands of lives destroyed. So violent was the quivering of the earth that great crags were toppled from the pinnacles of the Andes, and the ocean

colored walls of the high bluff that, | a laboratory. Among them were the some four miles from the anchorage, missing portions necessary to identify breaks the long curve of the Waitangi the bird with certainty, and these placed beach. Beyond this striking buttress beyond all doubt the correctness of my the shore continues in an unbroken assumption that the bird which in resweep for eight miles, over which we mote times had lived here was a rail of had many a splendid gallop. From the large size, all but identical with a spewater's edge the shore rises rather rap- cies of wood-hen named Aphanapteryx, idly into sand-hills sixty to seventy feet hitherto known only from the farin height, shelving down gently land- distant Mascarene Islands, by portions wards. They are much breached by of its beak and limbs. the wind, and here and there are topped with a stunted scrub which is rapidly disappearing. Along these eight miles of shore and cliff lay the hunting- ited by a disastrous earthquake, by grounds I had come specially to search in the hope of obtaining confirmation of my belief, based on the fragmentary cranium picked up by my guide, that here at one time, though now extinct, there lived a species of bird, which, if heaved into waves of such height that this outlying island should prove to their undulations swept across the have been its home, would be of much whole of the Pacific Ocean. Fortyimportance in helping to solve the many eight hours after leaving the American difficult problems in the geographical coast these huge rollers reached the distribution of life which this singular longitude of the Chatham Islands, and region presents to the student. Having broke with disastrous force on the shores dismounted and tied our horses to a of Petre Bay. These waves, of which branch beneath the shade of a tree, we there were at least three of greater descended to the shore and began our magnitude than the others, swept in on eager hunt along the slope between the the Waitangi beach, washing many water's edge and the top of the sand-yards of the sand cliffs away, breaking hills, over which were strewn sea-bird through the compact belt of karaka and bones, the skeletons of, at a very mod- ake-ake trees that clothed them, and had erate computation, hundreds of thou- for generations protected them against sands of albatross, penguin, petrel, the inroads of the sea and the force of cormorant, and all kinds of water-fowl, the wind. The latter of these agencies none of them distinguishable from spe- has during the last twenty-five years concies now living. We wandered up and tinued ceaselessly to widen the breaches down for a long time without finding then made in the hills, and has already any of the bones of which I was in broken down and carried away into the quest. At length, however, I was ar- country beyond stratum after stratum, rested, on the higher part of the slope in some places down to the limestone towards the base of the sand-hills, by rocks underlying the sand. The hills observing at my foot, surrounded by in a few places, however, still present some of the principal bones of the skel- an unbroken face, where the succession eton, the protruding point of a skull, of the strata can be seen as they existed unmistakably of the same species of before the tidal waves disturbed the bird to which the fragment I had exam- scene. The belt of wood on the crest ined in New Zealand belonged. The of the sand-hills, formerly unbroken bones were lying in situ, embedded in a along the whole length of the shore, hard, pink sand out of which it required stands on a band of dark vegetable soil, some care to extract them without frac- whose depth indicates that a long period ture. When disinterred they proved to of time has been necessary for its accube almost as perfect as if macerated in mulation. Beneath this bed lies a sec