Chap. XV. AFFECTING SCENE AT OHAU. 369 
hardly perceptible at Manawatu, and not to be seen at 
all at Ohau ; and hardly any shock was felt at New 
Plymouth or Wellington. The cracks all pointed to- 
wards Tonga Riro. 
I armed myself for the journey with a rifle, pistols, 
and cutlass ; and we reached Rangitikei the first night. 
Here I found E Ahu, Billy W^alanui, two or three 
other young chiefs, and about 12 other armed men, 
awaiting our arrival. The old man was much pleased 
when he found that I had kept my word, and that his 
son was safe. 
We slept one night at Manawatu, and the next after- 
noon we reached Watanui^ settlement at Horowenua 
lake. The patriarch showed me the most delicate kind- 
ness. He spoke repeatedly of the care which I had taken 
of his grandchild, and said he would never doubt my 
protection again. " His heart had been sore ever since 
" my departure in anger." He then spoke of the 
Tf^airau affair, and said Rauperaha and Rangihaeata 
had acted very badly. " But," continued he, " we have 
" a Queen ; for she is my Queen as well as yours. 
" And when her soldiers come to take the bad men, I 
" shall sit still and let them go by. I will not rise up, 
" for the two treacherous chiefs were in the wrong. 
" Go, keep your soreness and your anger in your heart 
" till you have reached Poneke." 
At Ohau the scene was most affecting. The tangi 
was held over me as well as over the boy. His rela- 
tions seemed to appreciate the feeling which had led 
me to run some risk in order to bring fVahine Hi in 
person to his home. I had never seen a tangi before 
among the natives which seemed to come so truly from 
the heart ; and tears rushed involuntarily to my own 
eyes. E Tf^aJii tried all he could to brave it out like a 
VOL. II. 2 B 
