He could look back
upon his years, old Rauparaha, and mark in them enough stir and fight to
satisfy a score of warriors. Age had crawled on to his shoulders, causing
his furtive eyes to rest on the ground. But he was still himself, as Sir
George Grey realised, on receiving certain information. It indicated that
Rauparaha was in a league of mischief, that he had quietly given a
signal, and that large bodies of natives were drawing down the coast to
his aid. Farther, it was put to Sir George that an attack on Wellington
was the evident object. This would be calamity, for the forces available
as a defence, at short notice, were small. Now for the Governor's action,
which some criticised as high-handed.
'At first,' he related the exploit, 'I was doubtful whether I could
fairly attribute the scheme to Rauparaha. However, I satisfied myself
that the information which had reached me was well-founded. It had been
brought by a man who was in touch with the Maoris creeping down the
coast, and who could speak Maori. These bodies of natives, you
understand, had prevented all news travelling. That was how they were
able to get so near, without our being aware of it.
'What was I to do? Was I to delay until actually attacked? That would
have been to wait for too much proof of the plot; and my information
satisfied me.
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