Mihawhenua: The Adventures of a Party of Tourists Amongst a Tribe of Maoris Discovered in Western Otago, New Zealand

Contents

Contents.

Introduction by the Editor.
	page
Chapter I.—We Plan an Excursion The young lawyer—A client at the door—The proposed excursion—Fellow tourists—The capitalist and the doctor—The Scotchman—Preparations.	17
Chapter II.—Dunedin to Queenstown A preliminary meeting—Our first disappointment—Off by an early train—A train of thought—"Hillocks and knowes"—"Mountain dew"—Land of the mountain and the flood.	24
Chapter III.—Delayed by a Storm A mountain storm—A strong contrast—The compass—A "dancin preen"—Another excursionist—The start —First night in camp.	30
Chapter IV.—A Perilous Experience A snowclad hill—We leave our horses—Reach the summit —A glorious panorama—A lake on a mountain-top— An ice slide—Riding on an avalanche—A "stunning" descent—Rescued from drowning.	36
Chapter V.—We Meet the Maoris Afloat on the ice—Moas in the distance—We bag some waterfowl—A surprise visit—Maori greetings—Tea without sugar—In tow of a Maori canoe.	45
Chapter VI.—The Maori Village What we intended to do—Te Kahu, the Maori chief— Expert kite-flying—A Maori rowing chorus (Tuki)— A walled village—Misgivings—Nil desperandum.	53
Chapter VII.—Moas and Maori Maidens A procession to the pa—Moa riders—A fractious steed— The Ariki—Maori maidens' ideas or physical beauty —The irate Scotchman.	60 page break
Chapter VIII.—The Frenchman's Story A pakeha in the pa—The shipwrecked sailor—Inland wanderings—An apparition—Maori government— Marriage customs—Dog for dinner—Pigs and rats— Mac donald's disgust.	67
Chapter IX.—We Meet Cannibals We interview the chief—Prisoners—A fishing excursion— A Wakatere—The swift river—Kokiri tia a kohuru— Following the assailants—The cannibal feast.	75
Chapter X.—Maori CremationUtut or "blood for blood"—A council of war—A present of Koroai and Heitiki—In love with the pakeha—The phlegmatic Scot—Cremating a body—The cleansing bath.	84
Chapter XI.—Grim and Ghastly Caverns Lode wanders away—Exploring the caves—Wonderful echoes—A Maori chant—Cave drawings and writings —Remains of a carnival—Lights in the caves— Phantoms and fears.	93
Chapter XII.—Spiritual Manifestations The Tohunga—A Maori seance—Tohunga's invocation— The revelation—A husband's revenge—Maori names —How the Tohunga earns his fee.	102
Chapter XIII.—A War Dance Cave drawings again—Hostile natives—Eager for the fray —Ake! Ake! Ake!—Rest before the battle—The advance—Preparing an ambuscade—Examining the enemies strength — A war dance — The scout— Mataika.	110
Chapter XIV.—The Fight at the Gorge A watchful few—Moments of suspense—Misleading signals—A desperate encounter—Three to one— Richards struck down—A ghastly spectacle.	120
Chapter XV.—A Wounded Hero Moments of consciousness—Anxious enquiries—Success the only standard of gool judgment—A meeting of thanksgiving—Maori sympathy—An appeal for freedom—Reluctant refusal.	128 page break
Chapter XVI.—Death of a Hero Painful delirium—An uncomfortable reverie—An omen of ill—Resignation—Last sad thoughts—A dying request—A chastening sorrow—A broken tryst.	137
Chapter XVII.—Entombed in an Ice Cave The body embalmed—A natural mortuary—The beauties of the ice caves—Mummies of former inhabitants— The last look—A large waterfall—An unpleasant accident.	146
Chapter XVIII.—A Volcanic Eruption The return voyage—The volcano—Hot springs and terraces—A warm bath—Geysers and steam jets—A strong contrast—Visiting a crater—A Maori legend— An eruption—Wonders of Nature.	155
Chapter XIX.—Maori Theatricals Trouble brewing—A treacherous friend—Thoughts of escape—Kite-flying—Preparing for an attempt—Maori actors—A mimic fight.	165
Chapter XX.—On Murder Bent Our Wharepuni—A letter to post—We decide on a course —A dream of a ghost—Attempt at assassination— The foiled assassin—A further attempt by fire—The stricken porker.	174
Chapter XXI.—A Maori Court of Justice Practising with the kites—Treachery at work—The accusation—The defence—Maori justice—A word of comfort.	183
Chapter XXII.—Hope at Last The journal of events—The chiefs daughter—Still working at the kite—Doubts—More cheerful feelings— Final preparations—Hope's glimmering light.	192