d as "Bed-fellow of earth-shaking thunder." 'Very
well, Sir John Gorst replied to their grand title by another in Maori,
signifying: "The Lonely Sparrow on the House Top." This, of course, was
suggested by the Scriptures, and its force of contrast at once tickled
the Maori sense of humour. Sir John Gorst's satire was so keen that they
could not, themselves, help laughing over the fun which "The Lonely
Sparrow on the House Top" made of "The Giant Eagle Flying Aloft." It went
on for several numbers, perhaps half-a-dozen, when the Maoris informed
Sir John that he must stop his paper, or they would throw his printing
materials into the river.

'The conductors of "The Giant Eagle Flying Aloft" had the view, if I am
not mistaken, that "The Lonely Sparrow on the House Top" did not fight
with adequate dignity. It was too anxious to make merriment of its
adversary, so causing the latter to appear ridiculous to many Maoris. Sir
John Gorst paid no heed to the threats against him, and next, there
arrived a band of Maoris who uprooted his printing machinery. He happened
to be from home at the time, and when he returned it was to find this
disorder, and the Maoris in possession. 'The scheme thus to dispossess
him and the "Lonely Sparrow on the House Top," had been headed by the
chief Rewi. It was Rewi who flung, from a besieged pa, the defiant
message that the Maoris would never surrender, that they would fight "For
ever, For ever, For ever!" I am inclined to believe that he put himself
at the head of the raid upon Sir John Gorst, in order to be able to
protect him from any hurt,'

Be that as it might, Rewi and the raiders were determined that Sir John
Gorst should depart the 'king country.' They pronounced this verdict upon
him with every ceremony, and his answer was equally determined. It was:
'Nothing but a direct order from Sir George Grey shall induce me to leave
my post.' At that, Rewi granted time for a reference to the Governor, who
instructed Sir John Gorst to withdraw. Had it been otherwise; or had the
order lagged, Sir John would most likely have shared the fate of 'The
Lonely Sparrow on the House Top!' The sword proved mightier than the pen
in that duel.

And despite Sir George Grey's efforts, the sword was again to be drawn
over a wide area of New Zealand. A particular land dispute, which meant
cleavage with the confederated Maoris, had been gnawing its way along.
Sir George investigated it, reached the decision that t