et us have breakfast. We were just going to sit down
when we heard your call, and I am sure you must be as hungry as hunters
after your three hours on the water."

Breakfast was scarcely finished when Mr. Atherton and the Allens
arrived, and were made acquainted with the news of the murder of the two
settlers on the previous day.

"It is clear," Mr. Atherton said, "that the affair here yesterday was
not, as I hoped, a mere incident, such as might happen anywhere if a
party of ruffianly fellows arrived at a lonely house which they thought
they could rob with impunity. This sad business you tell us of shows
that there is a general movement among the natives, the result, I
suppose, of the arrival of some emissary from the Hau-Haus. It is an
awkward business. What is Mr. Mitford's opinion on the subject?"

"He thinks it will be well that all settlers on the river capable of
bearing arms should be enrolled as a volunteer corps, and be in
readiness to turn out at a moment's notice. He is of opinion that all
those whose farms lie at a distance from the main body should drive in
their animals and bring in such goods as they can carry to his station,
as one of the most central. Huts could be got up there, and the animals
all kept at night in his large stockaded yard. In case the natives seem
inclined to make a regular attack the women and children could be sent
down the river in boats or put on board a ship and sent to Napier.
Fortunately, there is seldom a week without a craft of some sort putting
into the river."

"There is no doubt that this would be the safest plan," Mr. Atherton
said, "but it would be a serious thing for the settlers to abandon their
crops and houses to the natives unless it was certain that the danger
was very great."

"That is my opinion," Mr. Renshaw said. "I am certainly not disposed to
have the results of our labour destroyed without a struggle."

Wilfrid looked alike surprised and pleased. "I am glad to hear you say
so, father. It would be an awful nuisance and loss to have all our crops
destroyed and our house burnt down, and to have to begin the whole thing
over again. I don't see what would have been the use of getting
everything ready for defence if we are all to run away directly there
is danger; but I think it would be a good thing to send the animals down
to Mr. Mitford's, as he is good enough to offer to take them. We might
send down the three natives to look after them, as of course the