340 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chaf. XIV. 
meant. He only pointed along the path, and said. 
Haere taua ! " Let you and I go on." 
Two or three of his relations came up with us, and 
tried all means to persuade him to return ; but in vain. 
When they asked him if he had not heard the words 
of his tipuna, or grandfather, he answered that he had ; 
but that he too was a chief, and had his word to say 
as well as H^atanui. " Remain in your place," said he ; 
" I am going on to JVanganui with my White man, 
" to see his good chief J^ Kuru, and then to Taranaki 
" to live in the houses of the White gentlemen his 
" friends. Remain ! " 
JJ^ahine iti was certainly not yet 14 years of age : 
but his claims to be an independent chief were immedi- 
ately recognised ; and his early assumption of the dig- 
nity seemed to produce a sudden awe upon the minds 
of IVatanui^ messengers. Although they were men 
30 or 40 years of age, they appeared to grieve at his 
decision, but to yield implicit obedience to his will in 
striking out his own line of conduct. They shouted 
'* Go to Taranaki ! " and returned to the village. 
I augured the most happy consequences from the 
firm determination of this noble lad to risk all dangers 
and decline advice, in order to prove his perfect confi- 
dence in me, and to secure the means of learning to be 
like a White gentleman. On a mind of such amiable 
docility and such manly decision, what great effects 
might not be produced by the training of it to honour- 
able and enlightened objects ! 
At Manawatu, where Taratoa and U^atanuis eldest 
son, Billy, again tried to dissuade him and to warn 
him of the dangers, he persisted in his intention, though 
he smothered a tear as he left the last dwelling of his 
own tribe. 
Our party was here increased by one of the Assistant 
