233 AD'S^NTORE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. DL 
however, appeared to place implicit faith in Mr Mason's 
statement, and sent instantly for Yankee Smith. He 
told him, that if he did not immediately bring all his 
things away, and abandon the idea of occupying the 
disputed land, he would bind him over in recognizances 
of 200/. to keep the peace, and forfeit them on any at- 
tempt to return to the place. One would have thought 
that the persons who proposed to disturb the peace 
were those who should have been bound over ; and that 
recognizances should have been demanded from the 
inhabitants of Mr. Mason's village, whom he declared 
to be intent on such riotous proceedings. I told Smith 
this opinion of mine, and that I thought he might con- 
tinue his occupation without the slightest fear of Mr. 
Dawson's threatened illegal interference. I was in- 
duced so to advise him, because I felt sure in my own 
mind that the Putikiwaranui men had already yielded 
to the firm rebuke of Rangi, and that Mr. Mason's 
predictions were entirely unfounded and imaginary. 
But Smith was of a timid character : he feared for 
his pockets, should the decision of the magistrate be 
considered legal, and gave up the point, much to 
Rangts regret. 
As soon as I heard of the old man's spirited and 
honourable conduct, I manned my canoe and pulled 
up to his village, saluted him in formal style, and 
threw my opossum robe round his shoulders. I then 
stayed the greater part of the day and all night at his 
village, and bade him farewell in the morning, after 
assuring him repeatedly that his had indeed been the 
conduct of a rangatira and of a White man's friend. 
He was exceedingly proud of the gift and of the 
manner in which it was made. Whenever I visited 
him afterwards, he always put on the opossum robe 
when he first saw me, and wore it while I remained 
