140 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. V. 
perienced hands in the stern use larger paddles for 
steering. 
The taiaha is rather a long-handled club than a 
spear. It is generally made of manuka, a very hard, 
dark, close-grained, and heavy wood. When polished 
with oil, it becomes nearly black. The taiaha is about 
six feet long. At one end is carved a representation of 
a man's head, thrusting out his tongue, which forms a 
sort of spear-head. His eyes are represented by small 
pieces of the mother-o'-pearl-like shell, which I have 
before alluded to as used for their fish-hooks, let into 
the wood. The tongue and face are all minutely 
carved so as to represent the tatu. Above the fore- 
head, a part of the stiilk of the weaj)on is covered with 
the bright-red feathers from under the wing of the 
kaka or large parrot, to represent the hair ; and an 
abundant tuft of long, white dog's-hair imitates the 
feathers or head-dress. The taiaha is held just above 
the dog's-hair, and flourished in the right hand with 
the tongue downwards. From this place the stalk 
gradually expands into a flat, sharp-edged blade, about 
three inches wide at the end ; and this is the part used 
to strike in fighting, both hands nianaging the weapon 
like a quarter-staff". 
JJ^arepori could hardly talk about the prospect of the 
settlers arriving at Port Nicholson. His mind was 
quite unsettled by the warlike asj)ect of affliirs, and he 
spoke of the probability of his death in the approaching 
contest. We ascertained that about 800 fighting-men 
had mustered at JVaikanae, and that there would soon 
l)e 600 more of the Ngatiawa tribe from different parts 
of the Strait. 
Rauperaha had been for some time at Otakt, as it 
was supposed inciting the Ngutiraukawa to renew the 
attack. 
