288 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. IX. 
process with the most eager anxiety. Now and then 
a little knot might be seen encroaching on the space, 
and creeping, without rising, nearer to some tempting 
heap. Then a chief of another tribe would rise, and, 
although scarcely able to restrain his own followers or 
perhaps himself from imitating their example, would 
rebuke them for their dishonest intentions. Then E 
Kura would flourish his bright tomahawk high in the 
air, and fly along each side of the line of goods, anger 
and menace in every gesture, and determination in his 
features ; and the boldest retired to their former 
stations. But while he was busy unpacking a bale, or 
making his calculations as to the fairest way of sharing 
out the contents, the almost invisible encroachments 
and the loud rebukes became more frequent and daring, 
the offenders became less willing to hear reason, and 
the others more prone to share in the offence. At 
length neither E Kurus eloquent appeals to the dig- 
nity of the chiefs, nor his terrific threats against the 
multitude, could produce their intended effect: little 
children were first sent to pilfer a pipe or a looking- 
glass, and though they were seen no one would touch 
them ; then the parents, watching, rebuking, envying, 
and seeking to overreach each other, were closing in 
on all sides. A crisis was evidently at hand. 
E Kuru threw down what he had in his hand, and 
walked slowly and moodily to a seat by my side. This 
seemed to create a pause for a few minutes, as though 
the covetous crowds were uncertain of his intentions. 
" Go on board ship," said he to me, " with all your 
" White men. I cannot get them to do it quietly, 
** and we shall come to a fight. You might get hurt 
** if you remained ; and, moreover, I am ashamed that 
" you should see us fight madly for these things when 
** I have engaged to do my best to count them out 
