Chap. XV. E KURU'S OFFER OF AN ARMED FORCE. 363 
This messenger also told me that about 70 volun- 
teers had embarked with Colonel Wakefield on board 
the brig, and were going to Cloudy Bay in hopes of 
saving their fellow-countrymen ; but he had, of course, 
learned at Otaki that they would be too late. 
The White people at Otaki said that Rauperaha had 
sent his canoes up the Manawatu to the care of some 
of his tributary tribes, and was considering by which 
route he should retreat to Taupo or Rotorua, in case 
of pursuit by the White people. Rangihaeata was 
with him ; slightly wounded, my informant told me, in 
the foot. 
I repeated this distinctly to E Kuru ; who had de^ 
clared that he would believe nothing except what I 
told him was true. When I had done, he took me to 
a hut where we could be heard by no one else, held 
me firmly by the hand, and addressed me in a calm 
and impressive voice so that I remember nearly every 
word. " You know," said he, " how many men I 
" could count if I were to send my call to the 
" tribes oi my wives and those of my father. In two 
" weeks, I can count a thousand men, all well armed. 
" From Taupo, as well as from all the settlements 
" where I have relations on TF^anganui, they would 
" all come. I have never teased them to assist me in 
" wars and plunder-parties for trifling matters ; I have 
" never called for war ; they will listen the better 
" when I call them round my name for the first time. 
" Listen ! if Rauperaha tries to reach Rotorua by this 
" path, I will put a net over his head and give him 
" to you. Do not believe, because you have seen me 
" speaking to him familiarly and sitting in his house, 
'' or because I am related to him through the Nga- 
" ttawa tribe, that I have love for him. He is trea- 
" cherous and hard-hearted. Nearly twice ten years ago, 
