Chap. VI. PREPARATIONS FOR A SKIRMISH. 181 
the assailants. Behind these, others loaded the few 
guns in their possession, and quietly took up a station, 
while behind them again the women and children 
handled a weapon as they bent over some heaps of 
goods. And all this in perfect silence ; the occasional 
yells of the charging party alone being heard, as they 
closed rapidly in. 
I was so taken up with admiration at the classical 
attitudes of some of the defenders, who all remained 
still as statues, gazing stedfastly on the advancing 
enemy, after they had once taken their position, that 
I had not thought of getting further from the conflict 
until the moment of meeting seemed close at hand. 
The assailants were all seeking the weakest point as 
they approached ; the guns were pointed on both sides ; 
each muscle of the defenders seemed straining with 
preparation for the shock ; and I suddenly thought of 
my own dangerous position, and flung myself flat 
on the ground, expecting to hear a volley and the 
whistling of bullets over my head. 
Barrett, however, had tripped up one of the assail- 
ants and pinioned another at this critical moment ; 
Worser and the women of his train had also suddenly 
rushed between the threatening ranks of their rela- 
tions ; and after some squabbling and earnest per- 
suasion of the most refractory, peace was re-esta- 
blished. The Ngumotii seemed to treat the affair as a 
mere joke ; but the others were more than suspicious, 
and, sullenly packing their goods on the backs of the 
women and slaves, departed homewards at nightfall, 
without the usual farewell. A strong party of vigilant 
warriors closed the rear of the caravan as it crossed 
the sand-hills inland of Paretutu. 
The two purchases extended from a spot half-way 
between the mouth of the Mokau river and the Sugar- 
