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promptu flag was borne in front by a Maori. We were soon ob- 
served. The Pah nearest to us hoisted instead of the red war-flag 
the white flag of truce with the inscription “Rongopai” (glad tidings) 
and the other Pahs soon followed its example. The firing ceased. 
An old chief, named Hou, came forth to meet us, and conducted 
us into the main-camp of the Ngaiterangis, to the Pah Tumatanui. 
Here I was presented to the commanding general of the fort, Ra- 
wiri, a man with a defiant, frowning air. He invited me to step 
into a very spacious hut, situated in the centre of the Pah, and 
surrounded with earthworks; and ordered his adjutant to call his 
men together. About forty warriors assembled gradually together, 
all robust young men in the best years; more than a hundred double- 
barrelled guns were leaning against the walls; and I soon found 
myself through my friend Voelkner placed in the wholly unexpected 
and to me rather strange situation of having to act the part of an 
apostle of peace before the assembled combatants. The causes of 
the conflict having been fully explained to me, I was to state my 
opinion on the subject. 1 declared, that, whereas both parties 
were already abundantly blessed with the possession of the most 
fertile lands of the country, which they were not even able to 
cultivate to their full extent, a war about a scanty patch of land, 
for which formerly for years nobody had cared anything, was in 
my opinion utterly unworthy of the wonted bravery and magna- 
nimity of the Maoris , and that I should be greatly rejoiced to be 
able to convey to the Governor at Auckland, whose guest I was, 
the glad tidings that they had made peace. One of the warriors 
then stepped forwards, and declared to me in a pathetic speech, 
that the question with them was not the possession of the land, 
but of their right, and that they would gladly make me a present 
of the whole contested land, if I could prevail upon their enemy 
to give their consent to it; that they would be proud to have me 
settled among them, or if I should not be able to remain myself, 
to send my friends there to settle. Thus I had actually a chance 
of becoming a chief in New Zealand. I had some trouble in pre- 
serving countenance at this otter, but promised to use every means 
