" Happily he recovered, but
the incident showed the spirit of the man, and he was an example of the
others.'
The English force, Sir George made the postscript, was to have assailed
the 'Bat's-Nest' on the Monday, the defences being much knocked about.
The intention was to assault from the rear, and he believed they would
have been certain of the enemy, without incurring any considerable loss.
The fall of Ruapekapeka brought peace to the northern half of New
Zealand, and when the Governor visited Heke it was 'To explain to him
that I was his friend, which he admitted.'
Some of the folks in New Zealand blamed Sir George for being too
indulgent towards revolted Maoris, fearing, 'In thanks they will raid
Auckland some day, and massacre us all.' A retired military officer,
inclined to that view, was staying at Government House, Auckland, the
night a fire destroyed it and Sir George's earliest group of literary
treasures.
'When a shout went up, on the discovery of the fire,' Sir George laughed
in recollection, 'my guest fancied that his prophecy about the Maoris had
come true. He looked out of his bedroom window, saw Maoris about, and
assured himself that an attack on us had begun. He barricaded his door
with a chest of drawers, the chairs, whatever he could lay hands on.
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