Chap. XV. EVIDENCE RELATING TO THE MASSACRE. 387 
party perceived some smoke issuing from a wood, and 
soon heard the voices of the natives, that oi Rangihaeata 
being plainly distinguishable. On advancing, they 
found them posted in the wood, which is about 50 
acres in extent, on the right bank of a deep unfordable 
rivulet, called Tua Marino, which flows into the 
Pf^airau on its left bank, and is at this place about 
30 feet wide. They were squatting in groups in front 
of the dense wood, on about a quarter of an acre of 
cleared ground, with their canoes drawn up on the 
bank of the stream. The White men halted on the 
left bank, with a hill behind them covered with fern 
and manuka, and sloping upwards with several brows 
or terraces. " All bearing arms were now bidden not 
" to cross the stream, or even show themselves until 
" ordered." 
All accounts agree in estimating the number of the 
natives at about 120 or 125, including women and 
children. The men amounted to 80 or 90, about half 
of whom were armed with muskets, the rest with na- 
tive weapons. 
At the request of the Magistrates, a canoe was placed 
across the stream to serve as a bridge by a native 
named " Big Fellow," whom I once had occasion to men- 
tion before ; and Mr. Thompson, Captain Wakefield, 
Messrs. Tuckett, Cotterell, and Patchett, Brooks the 
Interpreter, and Maling the Chief Constable, crossed 
over. 
The Police Magistrate then called on Rauperaha 
and Rangihaeata. The former alone came forward ; 
and Mr. Thompson told him that he was the Queen's 
representative, that he had warrants against him and 
Rangihaeata for the destruction of the property of Mr. 
Cotterell, and that he must go on board the brig, with 
such of his followers as he chose, where the matter 
2c 2 
