found to be abandoned, - apparently at an early hour in the morning. The enemy had evidently watched our advance and retreat, as the horse tracks of the previous evening were entirely obliterated for a quarter of a mile beyond the rifle pits, by fresh foot-prints. We determined upon remaining that day at Te Kiwi; having, after consultation with Tamihana on the subject, permitted the native woman, Tuku, wife of John Gemmel, to go forward with a letter, in order, if possible, to recover her child, and her father, Potihi; who were known to be with Hori te Rangi's party. Gemmel accompanied her to the summit of the ridge (leading to the Lake), along which we shortly after traced them, until they were lost in a multitude of tracks, clearly showing that they had either been accompanied, or followed, by a considerable number of persons. The majority of the natives left us here, to return to Tukurangi, Hapimana, at our wish, remained, with some 15 men; and we determined to remain through the night, to give Gemmell a chance of returning. With so small a force, and the natives unwilling to proceed, we did not consider it safe to proceed actually to the Lake, to which we