ickly followed by the
_Empress's_ men, mounting their ladders, climbed over the palisades, and
were inside before the enemy perceived them. Although there was yet
another fortification in which the Maoris might have held out for a
short time longer, finding that they were overpowered, they hoisted a
white flag as a sign that they were ready to capitulate.

The troops who had been advancing to the support of the blue-jackets
joined their shouts to the hearty cheers of the victors. Not another
shot was fired. Several hundred Maoris, many of them being chiefs, laid
down their arms. Some of the warriors declared that when they saw an
officer whom they thought killed get up and lead on his men as bravely
as before, it was time to give in.

The victory, however, had been dearly purchased: upwards of forty men
had been killed, including four officers, and nearly a hundred wounded,
while the Maoris must have lost a much larger number. Two or three
hundred of the enemy, who had been unable to escape, yielded themselves
prisoners of war, promising never again to take up arms against the
British. They were kindly treated, and at once became on very good
terms with the soldiers and blue-jackets. It was curious to see them
mingling with the men round their camp fires, talking in broken English,
and apparently on the most friendly terms with their late enemies. As
they were totally unarmed, and their chiefs remained as hostages well
guarded, there was no fear of their attempting any treachery.

A redoubt was now commenced on the captured position. Soldiers and
sailors laboured together in its construction, the latter especially in
bringing up the guns, ammunition, and stores required by the garrison.

Another important pah, one of the principal strongholds of the enemy,
further in the interior, had now to be attacked. The steamers proceeded
up the river as far as the depth of water would allow, and the troops
landed, with several bodies of blue-jackets from the different ships,
under their respective officers.

Jack had his second lieutenant with him, Mr Norman, his brother, Billy
Blueblazes, and about sixty men, among whom were Jerry and Tim Nolan.
Adair was accompanied by Desmond, his second lieutenant, and about the
same number of men. While the main body of the troops were to assault
the pah in front, other parties were sent round to attack it in the
rear, as also to cut off the retreat of the enemy.

Jack had se