OF THE MISSIONARIES. \\^ 
the few left for the protection of the women and 
children. A few days before the different parties 
began to move to the scene of action, it was sug- 
gested, by some of the peaceably-inclined and most 
influential chiefs, that there was one, and only one, 
way of making peace, without shedding blood — 
that they could not make peace themselves, but 
that the Missionaries might interfere, and place 
themselves in the breach, and propose terms ; but 
that it must rest with them, and with them only ; — 
that if they made peace, it would be ratified ; the 
contending chiefs would secure it, by going into 
each other’s camps, and by a mutual exchange of 
civilities. As this opinion prevailed, that peace 
might be effected by our interference, a regular 
and formal application was made to the body of 
Missionaries, to accompany the army, and to use 
all the influence which they possessed, to prevent 
them from firing upon each other, and to secure 
a lasting peace between them. Of course, we ac- 
ceded to the request ; a deputation from our body 
went across the island ; and negociations com- 
menced with the consent of both parties, which, to 
the joy of all, terminated most happily. Had 
not peace thus been secured, the consequences 
of Wareumu s stripping-party would have been 
dreadful. As it was, the whole passed off with the 
loss of about thirty individuals, at the com- 
mencement of hostilities, and before war had 
been formally declared. Since that period, the 
people of Hokianga and those connected with 
