the New Zealanders . 
347 
the lakes, and many no doubt perished ; but the greater 
part, finding they could not reach the opposite side, 
returned, preferring slavery to death. These hosts of 
slaves were conducted to Makitu (the landing place of 
the Ngapuhis), and behaved remarkably well while they 
were there ; for the Ngapuhis were some days in repairing 
their canoes, &c. But the night before they were to 
depart, nearly the whole of the slaves fled—not one out of 
twenty remained, and those who did remain were in too 
close confinement to leave. Nearly all the chiefs, as well 
as others, had been taken prisoners; but Hongi and 
the head chiefs generously restored them to their liberty, 
or else that tribe would have been completely broken. 
After this the pas first mentioned—viz. the Totara, 
Mauineina, and Matakitaki on the Waipa—were taken. 
While the Ngapuhis were at Waipa, they went, before re¬ 
turning home, to Taranake for the first time : how many 
pas were then taken I cannot say ; but this I can state, 
that laranake slaves amongst the Ngapuhis were far more 
numerous than any other body of natives ; but since the 
Gospel has been generally received, they have nearly all 
returned to their own land. Subsequent to the taking 
Matakitaki was the battle fought between the Ngapuhis 
and Ngatiwatua at Kaipara. This battle is known by the 
name of the Tkaranganui. It was fought in the open field, 
and about three hundred of the Ngatiwatua were killed : 
Hongi also lost his son, Hare, there. The battle seems 
to have been very desperate at first; for a part of the 
Ngapuhis fled, and never returned again, leaving Hongi 
and his immediate party to combat with the enemy. 
The Ngatiwatua were, however, soon routed, and about 
the number above stated killed. Ilongi exhibited the 
true character of a savage on this occasion ; for, while 
many of the poor creatures lay groaning and bleeding, 
he came and dug out their eyes, and swallowed them. 
