CHAPTER VIII.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1902, 13 September 1884, Page 5

CHAPTER VIII.

After having thoroughly routed the natives and added a few more bullets to the bodies of those natives who were merely wounded, the whites proceeded to the camp, where they immediately sot fire to one of the largest huts. A native girl came out of the adjoining hut, and tried by signs to make them understand something. Their first impulse was to kill her ; but there was something in her manner that arrested them, and just then George Sutton came galloping up the valley. He then told them that Tom Scanlon was inside the hut, and as the fire of the first hut would soon reach that in which he lay, there was no time to be lo3t in making explanations. When a few willing hands entered, the young man was asleep, but it was an easy matter for them to lift the rude bed and its occupant into the open air. They would have saved the village now,,bu6 it was too late. Everything was as dry as tinder, and the flames shot with alarming rapidity from hut to hut, caught the grass and ran up the slope, fanned by a gentle breeze. While the fire was doing its work of destruction, and spreading its relentless arms over the valley, George explained how it came about that Tom Scanlon lay in the hut. When it became known that it was Triggs who had murdered James Scanlon, and that Tom had been so well cared for since he was brought to the camp, old Scanlon buried his face in his hands and gave way to feelings of sorrow and remorse at having so cruelly returned good with evil. He forgave King Bonshaw on the spot, and declared he would curse with his dying breath the man who dared touch a hair of that king's head. Most of the men around were merciless towards the natives, and thought no more of shooting one than of shooting a wallaby, or any other animal that ate up the grass and gave no return. Many boasted of tha number of natives they had killed, and had enjoyed the day with all the pleasure of devils rather than of men. The dominating feeling, however, was that they had gone too far, and the death of several of their number tended tp foster the feeling. The Anglo-Saxons, more than any people, recognise, respect, and admire courage in any form ; and all the more so when that courage is directed against themselves. No objections were raised when signs of peace were made to some of the natives who were seen on the rocks far above ■ in order to induce them to come down ; i nothing would induce them ; their fear for the white man was greater than ever. j The fire that had been extending with great rapidity now threatened them, and they were compelled to beat a hasty retreat down the valley. Amoretta wished to remain with her tribe, but George Sutton and Tom Scanlon protested that as the camp was now a smoking heap, she should go with them and make their home hers until her own camp was rebuilt. George whispered in her ear that the king should know where she was, and, with a smile and tender look of thanks, she consented. The sun had sunk below the hills, and darkness was rapidly setting in, when the party reaohed the Pine Station. On the way back the party got less and les3, as one or two branched off to their homes. Many had ridden on ahead to inform Mrs. and Miss Soanlon of Tom's safety, and that Mr. Scanlon and some others were doming along slowly with the wounded man. . Mrs. and Mies Soanlan welcomed Amoretta

'■0 their bosoms, and wept with joy and grati.ude when they heard of Tom's safety and how V.moretta had nursed him. (To he continued.)