476 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. XVUI. 
That same afternoon I reached Porirua, just as the 
man-of-war's boat was pulling out, and after Mr. Clarke 
and Mr. Chetham (the Clerk of the Bench) had gone 
on to the northward. As I rode through the steep 
potato-grounds leading off the beach into the woods 
towards Pukerua, I saw on either side of the path 
about 200 natives, who had run from the village, sit- 
ting on the skirts of the bush, ready to disappear in 
case of any offensive operations. Rangihaeata was 
sitting in the midst of one of the groups. Some of 
them called to me ; but I rode steadily on, as I had no 
knowledge of the intentions of the expedition, 
I slept at Pukerua ; and soon after starting in the 
morning, saw the frigate come under all sail round the 
point, making for Kapiti. Having a message to deliver 
to Mr. Hadfield, I rode up to his house at TVaikanae, 
just as she was coming to an anchor off Evans's Island. 
But a crowd of natives sitting round the gate told 
me that Rauperaha was with Mr, Hadlield, and 
he came and received the letter outside the door. I 
went on to Otaki. 
Sir Everard Home says : — 
" We were received by the Rev. Mr. Hadfield, a mis- 
" sionary, a gentleman of high character and great intel- 
" ligence, who living in the pa amongst them, knows 
" every movement, for none could take place without his 
' " knowledge. He at once declared all the reports to be 
" without foundation. Having walked to his house, 
" which is in the pa, we proceeded to his school-yard, 
'• and the chiefs, Te Rauperaha, and Rere, chief of the 
" tribe inhabiting the pa of Pf^aikanae, came accompa- 
" uied by about 50 men. I then stated to the chief all 
" that was reported of him, and asked him what he 
** had to say to contradict it. He replied, that far 
" from wishing to continue the quarrel with the Euro- 
'* peans, which had been commenced by them and not 
