TE RAUPARAHA AND RANGIHAEATA. 
335 
fear ; but Te Rauparaha turned and said, “ Ka awe te mamae," 
(a chief’s exclamation before battle—alas ! the pain). Te Oro 
ran with his hatchet, and threw it at one of the Europeans, 
who fell into the river. The Europeans tumbled one over the 
other into the canoe in trying to cross; those who succeeded 
in getting over first, escaped; the last fell into the natives’ 
hands. Captain Wakefield and all the gentlemen were taken. 
They were not killed, but when Rangihaeata returned, he bid 
them kill all, as a payment for their relative the woman ; for 
he said that he had been told in all the European battles, they 
never injured women ; therefore, let them die as a payment— 
all were killed. They then embarked in their canoe, and 
crossed over to Otaki. 
This melancholy event caused deep gloom to rest on the 
little settlement of Nelson, and for a time retarded its progress. 
On the arrival of Governor Fitzroy, at Waikanae, he sum¬ 
moned Te Rauparaha and Rangihaeata to meet him. He 
heard their statement, and having previously been acquainted 
with that of the settlers, he reproved them for their cruelty in 
putting their prisoners to death, after they had surrendered; 
but told them that as the proceeding of the settlers, and 
especially of the police magistrate, was altogether unjustifiable 
and illegal, he should not demand satisfaction for it; but he 
solemnly warned them to beware for the future. It is a pity 
the Governor was not acquainted with native customs; other¬ 
wise he would have claimed the district as having been paid for 
with blood; this was what the Chiefs themselves expected. It 
would have asserted our power, and made a salutary impression 
on the native mind, for it is a fixed custom amongst themselves, 
and in after years, when the Middle Island was sold by Taia- 
roa and the descendants of Tamaiharanui, Rangihaeata himself 
demanded part of the payment for the blood of his relatives 
Pehi and his companions, who were murdered at Waharaupo, 
and their claims were allowed by Governor Grey. 
The not doing so, made that Chief entertain a very low 
opinion of British power. He is reported to have said, “ He 
paukena te pakeha ,”—The Governor is soft; he is a pumpkin. 
After the Wairau affair, Rangihaeata went up the Rangi- 
