Chapter I: Introduction

This book does not contain a history of New Zealand, but something of the story of many full and stirring days. Almost like the ghost the Maori thought him, Tasman came swiftly out of the rosy West, struck a blow which harmed his country more than it hurt those upon whom it fell, and yet more swiftly sailed away. Notable enough were his coming and going, but only as the prologue to the drama which began after an interval of one hundred and twenty-seven years. Then there steps upon the stage of Maoriland that well-graced actor, Captain Cook; and so the play goes on until the fall of the curtain upon the peace which closed the long struggle of the brave tribesmen with settlers, soldiers and colonists. Another interval, not so long, and then, fitting epilogue, the Dominion.

The years since 1870 have no doubt held romance enough of their own. Books have been written and may still be written of the romance of peaceful settlement, of sport, of mountaineering in New Zealand, or of soldiering by New Zealanders in other lands; but, save for a few episodes, one may say that the romance of the history of New Zealand ended for the present with the vanishing of Te Kooti. Then, at least, ended the era of turbulence, and began the fat years of progress and prosperity, and it is as difficult for a State as for an individual to be romantic when "with good capon lined."

Yet so crowded with incident is the brief period named that I have practically confined the story to the most prominent of the facts indexed in the _New Zealand Official Year Book_ for 1906. Even with this limitation there is not space enough in which to tell the whole romantic story. At most, an impression of the vivid happenings of the past can be presented, and this is what I have tried to do.

I gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to those who, being dead, yet speak--Thomson, Gudgeon, "A Pakeha Maori," and others,--whose vanished hands picturesquely chronicled some of the events with which this story is concerned. From Sir George Grey, the gentle "Knight of the Kawan," I had the legend of the Loves of Heaven and Earth and the defiance of their rebellious sons. To the Honourable William Pember Reeves, High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, I am greatly obliged for books of reference and the loan of valuable photographs.

If I am not one of them, I yet claim the consideration of the Children of the Dominion, since I am connected with them by ties of kin and happy memories of childhood and youth lived under the Southern Cross, here and there among the islands on both sides of the Tasman Sea. Also the Dominion has already given me some of the facts of her colonial days as a basis for fiction. So it is permissible to hope that the shortcomings of this book will be forgiven, and that those of the Dominion who may read will recognise throughout its pages a whole-hearted admiration for their country and all that belongs to it.

If I please some, I shall be rewarded. For the rest, since "'tis not in mortals to command success," then, _est quadam prodire tenus, si non datur ultra_.

REGINALD HORSLEY.

CONTENTS

PART I
THE MAORI
PAGE
CHAPTER I
THE COMING OF THE RACE 3

CHAPTER II
THE MEN WHO CAME 10

CHAPTER III
THE LAND TO WHICH THEY CAME 20

CHAPTER IV
THE GROWTH OF THE RACE 35

CHAPTER V
THE LIFE OF EVERY DAY 48

CHAPTER VI
GRIM-VISAGED WAR 55

PART II
THE COMING OF THE PAKEHA

CHAPTER VII
THE DUTCHMAN'S LOSS 69

CHAPTER VIII
THE BRITON'S GAIN 79

CHAPTER IX
CLOUDS AT DAWN 89

CHAPTER X
RONGO PAI! 101

CHAPTER XI
THE WARS OF HONGI IKA 108

CHAPTER XII
VARIOUS RULERS 119

PART III
PAKEHA AND MAORI

CHAPTER XIII
GREAT BRITAIN WINS 133

CHAPTER XIV
INDEPENDENCE AND ARGUMENT 143

CHAPTER XV
TE RAUPARAHA AND HONI HEKE 158

CHAPTER XVI
THE FALL OF KORORAREKA 172

CHAPTER XVII
HEKE AND KAWITI ON THE WARPATH 177

CHAPTER XVIII
THE FALL OF THE BAT'S NEST 192

CHAPTER XIX
THE WAR IN THE SOUTH 201

CHAPTER XX
BUILDING AND UPSETTING 215

CHAPTER XXI
O'ERCLOUDED SKIES 225

CHAPTER XXII
THE QUEEN MOVES 239

CHAPTER XXIII
THE BLACK KNIGHT GIVES CHECK 244

CHAPTER XXIV
PAI MARIRE, OR THE HAUHAU SECT 254

CHAPTER XXV
MURDER MOST FOUL 262

CHAPTER XXVI
ALARMS! EXCURSIONS! 272

CHAPTER XXVII
POVERTY BAY 280

CHAPTER XXVIII
THE LAST RALLY 288

CHAPTER XXIX
THE SUN OF PEACE 307