eave
till morning. We have been very anxious about you."

"What is the news?" Wilfrid asked.

"The natives murdered two settlers at a farm some four miles from Mr.
Mitford's. Yesterday he received letters both from Poverty Bay and
Napier saying that the natives were in a very disturbed state, that
Hau-Hau prophets had been going about among them, and that in both
districts there had been several murders. Corps of volunteers are being
raised at Napier, and they have sent to Wellington for a company of the
constabulary. The settlers at Poverty Bay are also making preparations
for defence. Mr. Mitford was asked to get all the colonists on this
river to arm and prepare for an attack. Of course this news was very
alarming in itself, and when two or three hours later the news came in
of the murders in our own settlement we were naturally most anxious
about you. However, as we could not come over in the dark through the
forest, and as Mitford pointed out that the house was well prepared for
defence, and that you would certainly be on the alert and had the dogs,
who would give you notice of any body of men coming, we consented to
remain if he would send us home in the canoe at five o'clock in the
morning. And now, what is it that happened here yesterday?"

"It was nothing very alarming, father. Four natives came up and asked
for food, which of course I gave them. Then they wanted gin, and seeing
that I was alone tried to push their way into the house I tried to stop
them. The fellow snatched at his club. As he did so Marion appeared at
the door with a levelled rifle, and the fellows, who had no guns with
them, took to their heels. We gave the alarm-signal, and the Allens and
Mr. Atherton came over at once, and the Grimstones ran in from their
work. However, the natives had made their way off, and I do not suppose
we shall hear any more of them."

"I don't know, Wilfrid," his father said. "If it had been only this
affair I should not have thought much about it. The natives are often
rude and insolent, and these men might not have meant to do more than
help themselves to a bottle of spirits, but taken with these accounts
from Napier and Poverty Bay, and with the murders yesterday, I think it
is very serious."

"Mr. Atherton and the Allens promised to come over at ten o'clock,
father, to chat the matter over with you, and hear whether you had
brought news of any troubles elsewhere. So we shall have quite a
council. And now l