Chap. XVIII. RAUPERAHA'S STATEMENTS. 499 
had no strength to take care of me here. The Maori 
all carried arms, and were ready to take care of them- 
selves ; why should not I ? It was the custom among 
the Maori chiefs ; why not amongst the Whites when 
they travelled in Maori territory ? '* Carry your arms," 
he concluded, " and look about you as you ride through 
" the Ponrua bush. You might be attacked, perhaps, 
" by some of your own Ngatiawa people." 
He then urged me to return to Port Nicholson, as 
he acknowledged that my stay caused fears to him and 
to Rangihaeata. " The reports were true, perhaps — 
" false, perhaps ; — never mind; would I go to-morrow?" 
I told him I should go two or three days hence, on 
the same day that I had fixed before this discussion, as 
I did not choose to be frightened away by threats. I 
again assured him that I had not the slightest design 
against him or any other native, as my laws bade me 
leave utu to be taken by the Queen for her people, and 
not by the son for the father. But I also told him, 
that if any one tried to burn me in my house, or to 
attack me in the bush, I would defend myself with my 
own hands and do my best. 
This was the last I saw of Rauperaha and Rangi- 
haeata. 
On the New Year's-day, the Bishop visited Otaki 
with Mr. Hadfield. Some natives, who saw him arrive 
at Pakakutu, told me that he at first held ©ut his hand 
to Rangihaeata, but that Mr. Hadfield informed him 
of his mistake, and he then turned to Rauperaha^ and 
shook hands with him. 
The next day I returned to Wellington. When 
there, I published an exact account in the paper of 
what Rauperaha had said to me ; as I felt sure that to 
inform the authorities would only be to have the 
matter hushed up, and it seemed of consequence that 
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