one, and that no possible precaution should be omitted; and yet the man
who is responsible for the safety of all throws cold water on every
proposal, and snubs those who are willing to give up time and labour in
order to ensure the safety of the place.

"I suppose he considers that the tone he adopts shows him to be a man
superior to those around him, possessing alike far greater knowledge of
the situation, and a total freedom from the cowardly fears of his
neighbours. Well, well, I hope that events will justify his course, but
I own that I sleep with my rifle and revolvers loaded and ready to hand.
Mind, I do not say that the chances may not be ten to one against Te
Kooti's making a raid down here; but I say if they were a hundred to one
it would be the height of folly not to take every possible precaution to
ensure the safety of all here."

"Don't you think, Mr. Atherton, that it would be better for mother to go
home? I am getting all right now, and can get on very well without
her."

"I am sure your mother would not leave you at present, Wilfrid, and I
don't think you will be fit to be moved for another fortnight yet. Te
Kooti has done nothing for two months, and may not move for as much
more. Your mother knows nothing of what I have told you, and I should
not make her anxious or uncomfortable by giving her even a hint that I
considered there is danger in the air."

CHAPTER XV.

THE MASSACRE AT POVERTY BAY.

Another week passed and Wilfrid was able to walk about the house and
garden. A ship was going down in three days, and Mr. Atherton had
arranged with the captain to put into the Mohaka river and land them
there. No change had taken place in the situation. There had been a
meeting of the settlers and friendly natives. The latter had offered to
erect the stockades for a small fort if the settlers would do the
earthworks. This they had agreed to, but the project was abandoned, as
Major Biggs again declared it to be wholly unnecessary. Some of the
settlers, dissatisfied with the result, formed themselves into a
vigilance committee to watch the ford of the Waipaoa River.

This was done for several nights, but Major Biggs again interfered, and
told them he considered the act to be absurd. The vigilance committee,
therefore, ceased to act. A few nights later Te Kooti's people crossed
at this very ford. Late in the evening of the 4th of November Mr.
Atherton was about to go up to bed when he heard a grow