arly opposite the house, and ran in.

"That's just where the natives took to the bush," Wilfrid said. "Perhaps
he will be able to tell us something about them."

"I expect he has been scouting," Mr. Atherton said, "and his coming
boldly out from that point is a pretty sure proof that the natives have
made off. Well, Jack, so you heard our signal?"

Jack nodded.

"And what have you been doing since?" Wilfrid asked.

"Jack went through the bush fast till he got near house, then, as the
guns were not going off, he knew there could be no attack; but thought
black man might be lying in bush, so he crept and crawled. Presently he
heard man talk, and then saw four Maori walking fast away from house. He
only heard them say as he passed, 'No use now; too many Pakehas. Come
another day and finish them all.' Jack was coming straight to house when
he heard cooey."

"You have seen nothing of your father and the other two men, Jack?"

The Maori boy shook his head. "They chop wood; perhaps not heard
signal."

"More likely they heard, but thought it better to stay away," Wilfrid
said.

"No got guns; they not fighting-men," Jack said, as if in excuse.

"There is something in that," Mr. Atherton said. "The Hau-Haus have
always proved themselves even more merciless towards the friendly
natives than towards the whites; and these men, being unarmed, might,
even with the best disposition in the world, be afraid to come to the
house. At any rate, I am glad those fellows have made off. You see, they
were in a position to shoot any of us if they got the chance, while we
were scarce in a position to return the compliment."

"Why not?" James Allen asked.

"Because, although we could have now no doubt whatever as to their
intentions, they have committed no actual assault. They tried their best
to push their way into the house, and when Wilfrid opposed them one of
them drew his club; but they might say this was only done to frighten
him, and that they had no thought of using it. If they had fired a shot,
we should of course be justified in killing them; but were we to begin
the shooting, the whole tribe they belong to would take it up, and there
would be a cry for vengeance; and even if nothing were done at once, we
should be marked down to be wiped out at the first opportunity.

"We shall learn in a day or two whether the matter was serious or not,"
Mr. Atherton went on. "If there is anything like a general defection of
the natives