74 Transactions.—Miscellaneous. 
sting of the ray—of which everyone appeared to stand in great dread. As 
the time approached for commencing hostilities, all hearts were filled with 
alarm, and as this feeling of dread increased the older chiefs felt that some- 
thing must be done to counteract it, or their defeat and destruction were 
certain. They decided, therefore, to take the initiative, and to commence 
hostilities at once. Then Maru rose and called upon the veteran warriors, 
the heroes of former battles, to recount the story of their deeds so as to 
inspire the tribe with courage :—“ Rise up, Te Kane, and tell the people 
what thou achieved at Whanga nui a tara!” But Te Kane kept his seat, and 
replied; * Ah! that was accomplished in the midst of thousands supporting 
me, but here, single-handed, what can I do!" Turning to another, he said : 
** Rise up, O Manawa, and tell the story of thy brave deeds at Waihao!” 
But Manawa only repeated Te Kane's words: ** They were done amidst 
supporting thousands." One after another the heroes were appealed to, 
but all in: vain; till Maru turned to Rakai tauwheke: “Rise, O Wheke!’’ 
** Yes," he said, “I will; since all these brave men decline, I will force the 
way—I wil charge the foe—I will lead the people on to victory! Rouse 
thyself, Pohatu! Rouse thyself, O seer! Dig the wells, rear the mounds 
that you may see how the tatare (dog-fish) of Tane moehau (his mother) 
will burst the nets!" The bold bearing of Rakai tauwheke revived the 
drooping spirits of his tribe. His words inspired them with courage; and 
the omens given by Pohatu decided Ngai Tahu to attack the enemy at once. 
They swarmed up the hill-side that separated them from the pa; but 
Ngatimamoe, thanks to Kiti, were well informed of their movements, and 
before they could reach the top, came pouring over the ridge, filling the air 
with their yells of defiance, and raining down their dreaded spears upon the 
advancing ranks. Rakai tauwheke kept well in front, and succeeded in 
warding off every weapon aimed against him, and finally reached the top of 
the hill, where he was soon joined by others, and there, by a prodigious 
display of valour, he completely routed the enemy, who broke and fled in 
every direction. Tu te uretira pursued after Tu ma taiao, a Ngatimamoe 
chief married to a sister of Maru, and would have caught him but for an 
accident to his foot, which obliged him to give up the chase. As he did so 
he called out to his flying foe: “ It is only this painful foot prevents my 
overtaking you." To which the other sneeringly replied: “Are you the 
one who can catch by morning the moving feet, swift as the raupo swaying 
in the wind?” “ Ah!” said Tu te uretira, ** Can you escape by morning 
the eutting toetoe of Turau moa?" No vain boast, as he afterwards 
proved. 
. Among those who fell upon this occasion was Kana te pu, who had sadly 
misread the omens. In his island home at Rakiura he dreamt that he 
