The quaint instance of how he
got the better of the Maori children of Poa was in point. A member of
that New Zealand tribe had come under the weights of justice at Auckland.
The clansmen mustered to his rescue, and were willed to turn Auckland
upside down, if necessary, in achieving it. The Governor heard betimes of
the advance of their war canoes, and he arranged his welcome.
'I called out our defensive forces, including a corps of pensioners
settled in the locality, and placed them in position round the bight,
where I supposed the Maoris would land. A man-of-war, which was in the
harbour, I sent out to sea, with instructions to return when the invaders
had arrived, and to block their exit. But everything was as if there had
been nothing; not a sign that we expected callers with hostile intent.
'The Maoris rowed to the landing with vigour and confidence, forming
indeed a picturesque sight, though I was little inclined to dwell on that
at the moment. Next, they began to drag their canoes ashore; but here a
signal was given, and our half-circle of troops revealed themselves. The
Ngatipoa evidently did not know what to make of the changed situation, or
what to do. I sat on a hill and watched them, waiting for a move on their
part, which presently came.
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