Another instance, and another incident, lie in the conversion of
Rangihaeta to road-making. He had rushed to the rescue of Rauparaha, on
hearing of his capture. It was the chivalrous daring of one chief,
towards the brother in distress, but unavailing. Not a hair of anybody's
head had been hurt, yet Rauparaha was already beyond his friend's reach.
Rangihaeta sulked into his own fastnesses--a rumble of discontent and
vengeance. Sir George did not wish him to remain in a state holding so
little happiness. Moreover, the all-important high roads must invade even
Rangihaeta's territory. Diplomatic overtures were not wasted; they
blossomed quietly, and then bloomed on an inspiration.
'When the old fellow had begun to get frail and ill,' said Sir George, 'I
sent him a pretty pony and trap. The sea shore, at his part of New
Zealand, offered a splendid stretch of firm sand, one of the finest
drives in the world. Delighted with his carriage, he would use it; only a
breadth of rough land intervened between his pa and the beach. He could
not drive across it, so what does he do but turn out his men to make a
roadway.
'There was merriment in Maoriland at the idea that Rangihaeta, hitherto
sternly opposed to our roads, should himself be constructing one. That
was as I had hoped, and he made no more difficulties for us.
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