them do."

The fight went on for four hours. Then a number of the Hau-Haus leapt to
their feet and made a rush towards the settlers, but the volley they
received proved too much for them. Several fell, and the rest bolted
back into shelter. Again and again this was tried, but each time without
success. At three in the afternoon some men were seen coming along the
road behind towards the deserted camp. Captain Westrupp at once wrote a
note and sent it down by one of the men, but to the disappointment of
the settlers he soon returned with the news that the new arrivals
consisted of only nine Maoris carrying rations. They had opened the rum
bottles on their way, and most of them were excessively drunk. Two of
them who were sufficiently sober came up to help in the defence, but one
was shot dead almost immediately, one of the settlers being killed and
many wounded more or less severely.

Just as evening was coming on the force was startled by hearing a
Hau-Hau bugle in their rear, and presently made out a party of the enemy
moving towards the camp through the broken ground on the left rear. It
was now evident that either the enemy must be driven off the hill in
front or the party must retire to a position on the hill behind the
camp. Captain Westrupp determined to try the former alternative first.
Calling upon the men to follow him, he dashed across the gully and up on
to the crest held by the Maoris. The men followed him gallantly; but the
fire from the Maoris hidden among the bushes was so heavy that they were
forced to fall back again, seven more of their number being wounded.
They now retired in good order down to the camp and up the hill behind
it, and were here joined by Captain Wilson with his twenty men.

It was now determined to throw up a sort of intrenchment and hold this
position until help came; but the settlers, who had hitherto fought
well, were dispirited by their want of success, and by the non-arrival
of the reinforcement, and were weak with their long fast. As soon as it
became dark they began to steal off and to make their way back towards
their homes, and in an hour half the force had retreated. The officers
held a council. It was evident the position could not long be held, and
that want of food and ammunition would compel a retreat in the morning.
It was therefore decided to fall back under cover of the darkness.

The chief of the friendly natives, who had behaved admirably through the
fight, offer