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Ngamihi; or The Maori Chief's Daughter

Chapter XXXI. "Taipua you're a Brick!"

page 128

Chapter XXXI. "Taipua you're a Brick!"

In a short time we were ready to start, and Captain Snell sent one of men for the young chief.

"Taipua," said the Captain, "we are going back to Wairuara now. When are you going to bury your dead?"

"When the pakeha rangatira (chief) and his men leave the Moa Bird's Nest, we will commence our 'tangi' (mourning)."

"Why do you call this place the Moa Bird's Nest?" inquired the Captain with much interest.

"The moas lived in this part of the country when my father was a child, and their bones are widely scattered over this place."

"Are traces of them to he found here now?" asked the Doctor, coming forward. "Could you show me some of their remains?"

"Taipua is glad to please the 'Koti-roa,' (long coat) and will show him the Moa's bones."

He spoke to his companions in their own language and they commenced to busily search in several places about the defile.

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Taipua.

Taipua.

Above is portrait of Matai, from D'Urville's visit to N.Z. in 1827.
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In a very short time they brought several long bones to the doctor, who pronounced them genuine specimens of the great extinct elephant bird, the Dinornis or Moa. Some of the bones proved the bird to have been at least twelve feet high. It is said that the old Maoris have killed and eaten them within the last thirty years. The doctor was delighted with the specimens, and offered in payment some money to the chief.

"Taipua wants no utu from Koti-roa," he said with dignity. "The Doctor was good to our people when they were in pain—gave them strong water (whisky) to keep up their strength, and dressed their wounds with cooling oil. Taipua and his brothers may do something for Koti-roa some day."

"By jove! you are a fine fellow, chief! and I wish we could meet as friends," said the Doctor.

"Taipua's hapu (family) hates the pakehas, but he will try and soften their hearts. But taihoa, (wait) some day we may yet be friends with the pakehas. Then there will be no taua muru (robbing expedition) and all will be peace."

"I sincerely hope what you say will come true," said the Captain, who had listened to the conversation between the Doctor and chief with great interest. "And now you must let me give your men some provisions to help them home. We have plenty and can spare some."

"Taipua is grateful. Some day your kindness to us will be requitted. Would 'Koti-roa' like to keep this mere ponamu (greenstone)?" added the young chief handing the Doctor a valuable native weapon.

page 130

"Chief, you're a brick; I will keep this with pleasure," said the delighted Doctor taking the greenstone and examining it closely.

"You say that Taipua is a brick," said the young chief with a puzzled look. "What do your mean by that? I know the pakehas use bricks for building their walls and houses."

"Well," answered the Doctor slightly embarassed, "that is an expression of approval that my countrymen often use."

"The pakehas language is very hard to learn, there are so many words with different meanings. Why do the pakehas use the word 'brick' as you use it?"

"Well, chief, there is an old story current which it is said gave rise to the term, and as you seem interested I will tell you about it. Long years ago a great king paid a visit to another king. In those times cities and towns were surrounded by high walls to keep out enemies, like your pahs, only these were stone. The king showed his visitor round, and all the soldiers and fighting men were assembled on a large plain before the city to do him honour. The strange king was very much impressed with what he saw, and said: 'Everything is good in my sight; but I see no wall round your city. Where is it? The king Pointed to his fighting men, and answered, 'there is my wall, and every man is a brick!'"

"Taipua understands now. The pakehas are very wise," said the chief still with a perplexed though interested air.

We parted from our enemies, or friends, I hardly know which to call them, on the most friendly terms, and commenced our march back to Wairuara, Hoani leading Arline Hirch's page 131horse by the bridle. We camped for lunch in a beautiful basin-like valley between two hills heavily fringed with timber. After a cool drink in a stream of the clearest water, I found time to admire the many beautiful ferns that surrounded us. There are very few countries that can equal New Zealand in the variety of its ferns. They grow luxuriantly throughout the length and breadth of the Island, the roots of the coarse kinds being a staple food of the wild swine. Close to me I noticed the beautiful little Hymenophyllum; the lovely todea (Leptopteris superba), and the gigantic Dixonia antareteea; and also a species of fern which grows in the greatest profusion, called the "Kidney fern."

The fern embellishments of most New Zealand ballrooms are usually elaborate and on a grand scale, and when artistically arranged and placed they present a striking as well as a pleasing effect. In the midst of such enchanting surroundings, while yet the glamour of soft words and shy glances are still fresh, it is little wonder that so many young fellows lose their heads and give themselves up for a brief moment to the voluptuous influences which encircle them; forgetful alike of home and friends, honour and duty, to taste once more if only for the last time the intoxicating sweets of the present. What a memory hours like these bequeath after we have settled down into the calm occupations of common life! How beautiful through the vista of years seem that brief moonlight track upon the waters of our youth!