above the din, in a mournful booming bleat,
rang out the notes of a long wooden horn.

The tumult increased, and was made more terrible by the screaming of the
women and the crying of the children, which were increased as some
unfortunate defender of the _pah_ went down before the spear-thrusts of
the enemy.

The attack was as daring and brave as could be; but the defence was no
less gallant, and was supplemented by a desperate valour, which seemed
to be roused to the pitch of madness as the women's cries arose over
some fallen warrior. A spear was thrust through at the defenders;
answering thrusts were given, but with the disadvantage that the enemy
were about two to one. Tomati fought with the solid energy of his race,
always on the look-out to lead half-a-dozen men to points which were
most fiercely assailed; and his efforts in this way were so successful
that over and over again the enemy were driven back in spots where they
had made the most energetic efforts to break through.

As Don and Jem looked on they saw Tomati's spear darted through the
great fence at some savage who had climbed up, and was hacking the
lashings; and so sure as that thrust was made, the stone tomahawk ceased
to hack, and its user fell back with a yell of pain or despair.

Ngati, too, made no grotesque contortions of his face; there was no
lolling out of the tongue, or turning up of the eyes, for his
countenance was set in one fixed stare, and his white teeth clenched as
he fought with the valour of some knight of old.

"I would not ha' thought it, Mas' Don," said Jem excitedly. "Look at
him; and I say--oh, poor chap!"

This last was as Jem saw a fine-looking young Maori, who was defending a
rather open portion of the stockade, deliver a thrust, and then draw
back, drop his spear, throw up his arms, and then reel and stagger
forward, to fall upon his face--dead.

"They'll be through there directly, Mas' Don!" cried Jem, hoarsely, as
Don stooped upon one knee to raise the poor fellow's head, and lay it
gently down again, for there was a look upon it that even he could
understand.

"Through there, Jem?" said Don, rising slowly, and looking half stunned
with horror.

"Yes, my lad; and Tomati's busy over the other side, and can't come.
Arn't it time us two did something?"

"Yes," said Don, with his face flushing, as he gave a final look at the
dead Maori. "Ah!"

Both he and Jem stopped short then, for there was a yell of dismay