Chap. IX. GOOD FAITH OF RANGI TAirWIRA, 231 
Smith to go with a companion and saw timber from 
the forest with which it was covered. The sawyers 
began by building a small hut, and carrying their goods 
to it from the settlement, with the assistance of Rangi 
Tauwira and his people. 
Soon after they had located, Mawai, with about 
forty armed followers, came up the creek, on whose 
banks the spot was situated, in canoes, with the avowed 
intention of carrying the things back to the town. 
Rangi, who saw them pass his settlement at the mouth 
of the creek, and had heard of their design, walked up to 
the scene of action, with his brother and one of his 
sons, the only people at that moment in his village. 
They sat down quietly near the hut, laying their arms 
in front of them. Mawai and his followers began to 
lift some of the goods, and to carry them towards the 
canoe. The old chieftain said to them quietly, draw- 
ing his hand across his neck, " Begin with my head, 
" for that must go first." And the forty marauders 
immediately dropped their bundles, got into their canoe, 
and returned as they had come to their village. Mr. 
Mason immediately wrote to his friend Mr. Dawson, 
to say that he was sure bloodshed would ensue, and 
that the most dreadful consequences would be sure to 
follow should not some measures be taken instantly to 
check the dispute : the followers of Mawai were bent 
on pursuing the quarrel ; and a fearful feud would 
certainly be caused among the natives should they per- 
sist in this intention. There seemed no great need for 
this alarm, after forty armed men had retreated in 
panic from the simple authority of one chief. They 
well knew that a numerous band of warriors would 
soon be collected by the mandate of Rangi Tauwira, 
and that they would be inevitably overwhelmed in any 
contest with his powerful following. Mr. Dawson, 
