It was no business of mine to do more than I
had done; let them now propose? They sent up their leader, escorted by a
few men, to ask what I meant to do in the circumstances. That was
considerate.
'I had already agreed with myself that the thing was, by hook or crook,
to get rid of the Ngatipoa in a peaceable fashion. To make prisoners of
them all was not possible, even had it been wisdom; the others might have
done mischief. There were friends of my own among the Maoris, and I
relied upon them as an assistance towards a solution. I must make the
vaunted Ngatipoa in a measure ridiculous; treat them as if they were
naughty children. I addressed the chief, "How could you be so foolish? I
had thought you a wise fellow." He did not say what he thought I was, but
admitted frankly the object of the raid. He asked me to allow them to
leave quietly, and I consented, on condition they went at once.
'They petitioned to remain until the tide was at the flow, when they
could readily get their big canoes afloat. But I was firm, fearing that
if they lingered they might mix with the townspeople, be chaffed, and
retaliate. Besides, I was determined that they should, as a lesson in
humility, have the labour and indignity of pulling their canoes over the
shingle. It vexed them sore, after having arrived with a war-whoop, to be
obliged to beat so menial a retreat.
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