bly, and know now that it is almost certain
death for any of them to show themselves within range of our guns. They
have lost fourteen or fifteen men, and I do not think they numbered
above forty at first. But if they are only a detached party, and a main
body of the tribe is making an attack elsewhere, perhaps upon the
settlers at Mitford's, a messenger will by this time have been
despatched to them, and we may all have a much more serious attack to
encounter to-night or to-morrow morning.

"I have no idea what tribe these fellows belong to; but there are few of
the tribes that cannot put five hundred men on the field, while some can
put five times that number. So, you see, we are entirely in the dark. Of
course things will depend a good deal as to how the main body, if there
is a main body, has fared. If they have been, as I feel sure they will
be if they venture to attack Mitford's place, roughly handled, the whole
body may return home. The natives have proved themselves through the war
admirable in defence; but they have by no means distinguished themselves
in the attack, and have not, so far as I remember, succeeded in a single
instance in capturing a position stoutly held.

"It is one thing to fight behind strong palisades, defended by interior
works skilfully laid out, and quite another to advance across the open
to assault a defended position; and my belief is that, if they are
beaten at Mitford's as well as here, we shall hear no more of them at
present. Mind, I do not say that after this I think that it would be
safe to continue to live in an outlying station like this until matters
have again settled down in this part of the island. No doubt, as soon as
the news is known at Napier and Wellington a force will be sent here, or
perhaps to Poverty Bay, which is only some twenty miles higher up the
coast, and is, I think, from what I hear, better suited as the base of
operations than this river would be.

"This force will no doubt make an expedition inland to punish the tribes
connected with this affair, for it is of course most important to let
the natives on this side of the island see that they cannot attack our
settlements with impunity. After that is done it will no doubt be safe
to recommence operations here; but at present I fear you will find it
necessary for a time to abandon the place, and either take up your abode
at the Mitfords', or go down to Napier or Wellington. This will, of
course, involve the