Se LN BS WERE eT eae CM trae ne RENE Leas Le RL SS OC ee Dt att eh en, SRNL Ott ae eee 
Ss ih Byte AN 
CoLenso.—Traditions of the Maoris. 15 
two, the demon and the priest, was overheard by the armed war-party, who 
were outside listening. Early in the morning, at break of day, they 
assaulted and rushed the big house from all sides. Great was the slaughter 
of Tawheta’s people, he, however, escaped from within the big house; they 
pursued him, but he got clear off ; whence arose this proverbial saying,— 
‘*Through flight only was Tawheta saved.” The priest, Hapopo, they 
dragged outside, and they killed him there ; his last word was, ‘‘ Lying and 
deceiving demon! thou gettest clear off, leaving the trouble with Hapopo.” 
Those words have ever since been used and handed down as a proverb. 
Paimahutanga* (Tawheta’s daughter) was the only one whom Whatiua’s 
band made prisoner and rescued from that great slaughter. The victors 
baked the slain in ovens, and feasted on them ; some portions of their bodies 
were also carried away with them to their own pa. Thus was fully avenged 
the death of Maputukiterangi, of Mahinaiteata, of Ropanui, of Whiwhingai- 
terangi, of Rongouaroa, of Hotukura, of Inangatapukitewhao, of Rangiwhetu, 
and their companions, in that sad massacre by Tawheta. Those whose 
names are here given were all chiefs who fell on that occasion. On the 
return of that war-party to their home they handed over to Uenuku the 
daughter of Tawheta, Paimahutanga, to become his wife, and Uenuku took 
her to wife. And so this first assault and carnage ends here; this 
exterminating slaughter was accomplished by Whatiuatakamarae.t 
After this was over, Uenuku, still thirsting for revenge for his many 
murdered children and people, commanded a war expedition to be got 
ready, that he might himself go and fight with Tawheta. So the warriors 
got themselves ready; the war canoes were dragged down and fitted up and 
launched, when Uenuku ordered that each canoe should also be provided 
with extra large stones (as anchors) and long ropes; and when this was also 
done, and all were ready, they set forth, On this occasion Uenuku took 
with him two celebrated garments of his ancestor Tumatauenga,} in order 
to become a defensive armour for him, that is for Uenuku; those famed 
garments were named Te Rangituitui and Te Rangikahupapa,§ and they 
* Notice, here, the change of her name, according to custom; and, at the same time, 
a play upon her former one as to its sound; her new name being also one of good omen,— 
lit. good- nealing apiece sore, or ~~ 
1 to the name of the leader of that band,—lit. prepared 
- brought to pass) in the meeting in the open court,—which may have taken its origin 
m the prudent counsel he had given to Uenuku, which was also adopted, and led to 
a 
+ See ** Contributions towards a better Knowledge of the Maori Race ;” Part IV.,— 
Yaeaede concerning the Kumara Plant—Art. IL. (infra). 
§ Lit. the Sky-stitched (together), and the Sky-joined, or banded, or rafted (together) ; 
and, viewing the Sky as a personage, this may be taken in an spetedollcewnng See, also, 
Uenuku’s first charm, vv. 10, 24-29 (supra). 
