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Ngamihi; or The Maori Chief's Daughter

Chapter LV. "I Cannot Sing the Old Songs."

page 230

Chapter LV. "I Cannot Sing the Old Songs."

I managed to got to Mr. Munroe's before the guests had arrived, as I wanted to have a few minutes with Jessie alone. Shortly after the Doctor made his appearance with Doctor Preston, who was a tall nice looking fellow with a small black moustache, and a touch of effectation in his manner. The dinner passed off very pleasantly, despite an animated argument between Dr. Gill and Mr. Munroe as to whether duck or pigeon shooting gave the greatest amount of sport.

"I had some fun to day sharing the ducts among my friends," remarked Mr. Munroe "I found it rather hard to manage without offending someone. By the way, Miss Davis was anxiously inquiring when Doctor Preston was expected in Wairuara?"

"Indeed, I feel flattered to hear it," said the new arrival modestly.

"What did you do with your lot of ducks?" interrogated Mr. Munroe, turning to Doctor Gill.

"Do with them! What on earth possessed you to send so many?" answered Doctor Gill.

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"Well, you were entitled to your share. Did you boil them down?" said Mr. Munroe.

"Well, no; after I had sent some to the barracks, I gave the remainder to the boy with instructions to leave a pair with each patient as far as they went, beginning with the poorest."

Jessie here interrupted.

"Doctor Gill, would you please finish your story now about the old days in New Zealand," she asked coaxiogly.

"Very well, my dear," answered the doctor.

"Wait a moment," said Jessie, rising, "T will call Zada, she is very much interested in it."

In a few moments the two girls returned, and after making themselves comfortable the Doctor continued:—

"I believe I left off my story at the time when one of the men made his escape from the savages. Well, after the officers. had hoard the man's story, they consulted together as to the best means of ascertaining if there were any more of the party left alive. The shallop of the 'Mascarin' was at once despatched with an officer and a detachment of soldiers to examine the shore for any signs of Captain Marion and his gig. After a vigilant search he discovered the gig drawn ashore close to Takouri's village, and surrounded with savages armed with all sorts of weapons, which they had taken out of the boat. They took possession of the boat without being attacked by the natives, who stood off some distance intently watching what was taking place. The men were burning to be revenged on them, and when they heard that Captain Marion had bean killed, their anger knew no bounds. In the detachment were some good marksmen, who, page 232hearing that their commander was slain, burned to avenge his death, and trembling with rage, demanded permission to fire at the horde of savages who appeared to threaten them.

I will not weary you with an account of how the savages were punished. Suffice it to say that the Frenchmen administered a, severe lesson to their false friends. In the meantime no certain intelligence respecting the fate of Captain Marion and his unfortunate men had been received, though there was now little doubt left of the cruel and untimely end which had overtaken them. The escaped sailor could add nothing more to what he had already related, beyond saying that there must have been seven of them killed at the first attack, the remainder being taken prisoners. It was decided after a hasty consultation to despatch a large force to Takouri s village, and one of the boats was immediately fitted up with several guns and blunderbusses. The officer in command landed at the spot where Captain Marion's gig was first discovered and at once pushed forward. The village was found deserted and Takouri could be seen at a distance, out of gunshot, wearing on his shoulders Captain Marion's cloak, which was of two colours—red and blue. He retreated on seeing them approach, and disappeared in a large swamp behind the kainga. In the village were found some old men who had been unable to follow their fugitive families, and who were tranquilly seated at the doors of their houses, like Roman Senators awaiting death in their curule chairs. The men were so enraged that they wanted to kill them, but were forbidden by their officer. In Takouri's whare were found several articles of war belonging to Captian Marion, amongst them being his gold rimmed can and a small telescope. In another hut was found a shirt belonging to the Captain of Arms, whilst in various others hut were discovered portions of the clothes, and arms of De Vandricourt, (one of page 233Captain Marion's officers). Finally they found the arms belonging to the boat and the clothes of the unfortunate sailors. After having collected these relics of their murdered comrades, they set fire to the whares, and the entire village was reduced to ashes. They then proceeded to another village whose chief was called Piki Ore an accomplice of Takouri's, where they found more traces of Captain Marion s illfated party. This village they also reduced to ashes. After these severe reprisals, the two ships set sail from New Zealand to continue their exploring voyage among the islands."

"Such, my dear friends, is the narrative of one of the most deplorable events in the history of the early connections of Europeans with the natives of this country. Intercourse and civilisation with the pakeha have considerably altered their views since then, and in the unfortunate wars which they have so long maintained against our colonists and soldiers they have shown themselves, while possessing all their pristine courage, to have lost much of their native ferocity. It is commonly held that the Maoris must eventually give way to the Anglo-Saxon—that the superior race should supplant the inferior—but for obvious reasons I am inclined to think differently. I am led to this conclusion by a careful study of the Maori character, and I see no reason whatever to suppose that like the gigantic moa bird, this fine race of people must ultimately die out, and that in a few years henoe their memory will be but a dim recollection of the vanished past. This theory may well apply to the other races; but I am yet to be convinced that the Maori can come within its meaning. The impartial Englishmen, however, will not refuse to him the meed of admiration which his courage and patriotism undoubtedly deserve. I trust, my dear young lady," continued the Doctor turning kindly to Zada, "that I have not page 234wounded your feelings too much. These troubles I am confident will soon be over, and in the near future I hope to see your people living in perfect harmony with the pakehas, and that in the place of enmity and hate there will spring up a reign of peace and quietness which will forever remain unbroken between the two races."

Zada's face had betrayed great traces of emotion during the Doctor's recital, and she looked up gratefully at his concluding words. Her eyes were fast filling with tears as she crossed the room and took his hand warmly between her own.

"Thank you, Doctor," she said simply with a slight quiver in her voice; "you are more than kind to palliate the crimes of my unfortunate people. I sincerely echo your hope that the time is not far distant when we can all live in unanimity together. Only a little while ago I felt the greatest hatred for the white people, whom I regarded as my bitterest enemies; but happily that is all past now, and the prejudices I once entertained have long since vanished under the kindness and sympathy which has on all sides been bestowed on me by my European friends." Here she smiled faintly, and going back to Jessie kissed her fondly on the cheek, and with a hurried 'good night,'" glided softly from the room.

"May God bless her," murmured Jessie, the tears starting to her eyes, and this fervent wish found a responsive echo in the hearts of all those present.

After some general conversation, Mr. Munroe at length suggested some music, and Jessie shortly after got up and went to the piano, followed by Dr. Preston, who had previously been looking over some songs which he had found on the music stand. Dr. Gill was anxiously watching his assistant, and when page 235he saw him cross the room he dug his hands deep into his trousers pockets, settled himself comfortably in his chair, and glanced significantly over in my direction. Dr. Preston required little persuasion to favour the company with a test of his vocal abilities; and indeed in this respect he did not differ very much from the average present day young men. The poor fellow attempted two or three songs, but did not succeed very well in anyone of them, the while being alarmingly unconscious of the painful infliction which he was causing his hearers. Jessie's face throughout was a mask. She played with a gravity that was irresistible, at the same time wilfully ignoring Dr. Gill, who was vigorously shaking his finger at her from behind his assistant's back.

"Oh, Dr. Preston, here is a lovely song, which I am sure will just about suit your voice," she said reaching for a piece of music. "You must know 'I Cannot Sing the Old Songs.' It was sung, I believe, with great success at the Auckland concerts recently. "Do sing it," she added persuasively, giving him an appealing glance

"Why, really, Miss Munroe, this is a particular favourite of mine," he answered with vivacity, taking the music in his hand and scanning it critically. "Ah, I notice it is in a key a little too high for my voice, but nevertheless I think I can manage it," he continued with a modesty that was delightfully refreshing considering his previous efforts.

I was not long left in doubt as to the truth of his last statement.

"'I cannot sing the old songs,'
Bawled forth the tuneless youth;
And every word he uttered showed
He spoke the awful truth.'"

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Whether the song was pitched in two high or two low a key I was not exactly certain, but it was painfully evident that the most uncultivated ear could have detected something radically wrong in the manner of its rendering. Blissfully oblivious of time, expression, or tune, and disdaining even to strictly follow the accompaniment, the young vocalist was wading through it with great gusto and verve, when Doctor Gill, who had been fid getting uneasily in his chair, got up hurreidly and came over to me.

"This is atrocious, Douglas!" he whispered with the slightest trace of annoyance in his voice, "Get him away from the piano at all risks, or else he will drive us all out of the room. Miss Jessie is doing her best to plague me to-night I am sure. Imagine her asking him to sing that song of all songs! A nice bit of sarcasm, wasn't it? Say what you like, but at all hazards make some effort to cut this short," he added, desperately glancing with ill-concealed irritation at the unconscious subject of his remarks.

"Very Well, Doctor, I will do what I can," I answered, somewhat amused at his excitement; "but remember that if any discourtesy is shown you must bear the responsibility."

I crossed over to the piano, and after giving Jessie a meaning look, I delicately suggested that, as it was a beautiful evening, we ought to take a turn round the garden. My suggestion fortunately met with no objections, and a look of great relief passed over Dr. Grill's face, when, a moment later, they all got up and went out into the grounds.

Half an hour had elapsed when I found myself seated alone with Jessie in the drawing-room. No sooner were we seated than she burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, which did not subside for some time.

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"Do excuse me, Lance," she said at length with a mischievious twinkle in her eye; "but really I cannot get over such a huge joke so soon. You don't know how much I suffered when that pool young doctor was struggling through that last song. The others were bad enough, but that capped all. His friends ought certainly to persuade him that singing is not his torte," added the dear girl merrily.

"But, dear, you know you led him on, and probably he would not have favoured us with his last selection if you had not encouraged him. I must give you credit for concealing your feelings so well, for no one would have suspected that you were purposely drawing him on.

"Ah, Lance, you have much to learn yet, for you certainly will be deceived if you put your trust altogether in mere looks, unless indeed you meet with some unsophisticated girl like Zada. I confess, though, that when I saw Dr. Gill shaking his finger at me from behind Dr. Preston's back I was within an ace of breaking down," and Jessie indulged in another peel of merriment.

"Now, my dear," I said taking her unresisting form in my arms, "do be serious for a moment as I have something very important to say. You know, Jessie, I shall be obliged to leave for England shortly, and I am daily expecting my discharge. I want you to fix the date of our marriage, so that we can leave here as soon as possible after it has taken place."

"But, Lance, what about your mother? She may no approve of your taking to her a daughter whom she has not seen, and probably not even heard of."

"Indeed, she has often heard of you through my letters, and is quite acquainted with all the details of your rescue, and page 238many of the events that have subsequently happened, from which I am sure she has guessed how matters stand between us. She will make no objection I am sure, for she will be quite content in the knowledge that I am happy," I answered kissing her tenderly.

"But, dear, what a dreadful hurry you are in! I am sure I'm not half ready yet, and then I have no dresses prepared, and there are so many other arrangements to make. But, there! I won't tease you any longer," she added with a slight blush, as she hid her face on my shoulder. "Name the day yourself; I am ready when you are ready."

I kissed her gently, and suggested two months from that date, subject of course to her parents' permission, from whom however, I did not expect much opposition.

I took a tender leave of my future bride, and outside met Mr. Munroe walking up and down the front of the house enjoying his pipe. I at once broached the subject to him and asked his consent to our arrangements.

"Very well, my lad, you know you have my full sanction all through. I am very sorry to lose the lass, but I must do that sometime I suppose. I know her mother is fond of you, and would agree to anything for the child's happiness. Ma conscience!" he continued reflectively, with a slight shake in his voice, "it seems only yesterday since she was a child—well, well, time rolls on. You must visit Maoriland now and again, Douglas, for I cannot bear to lose sight of my lass altogether."

"You will not Mr. Munroe, as I expect to return here after I have fixed things up a bit. Communication is much easier than formerly, and a visit from England is now accomplished with little difficulty. Good night, sir."

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Next morning Captain Snell informed me that Kiapo's band had been seen by the patrol during the night, who immediately gave chase but lost sight, of them among the hills, where it was believed they were concealed in some of their caves. Zada's maid Hema, also said she had seen them two miles away, apparently, to judge by their movements, on the lookout for someone.

"I wish we could catch him, sir," I observed. "The friendly natives here are quite convinced that he is plotting some mischief."

"There is no doubt about that," he answered, "Two Maoris have just come in—Te Tangemoana and Te Rangewhenua —and they report that Kiapo is not far away. We have determined to send an expedition out without delay to hunt him down, and these two natives will accompany us—in fact they are very anxious to go. We will also take Ngahoia and Hoani as guides, who will also be invaluable in discovering to us some of the secret haunts of this wild band. Their services in these matters cannot be over-estimated. See that fifty men, besides those that I have already mentioned, are ready to-morrow by nine o'clock, and take provisions to last until the following day, if needful. Do not mind going to the Lieutenant for orders, I believe he is ill," added the Captain with a smile.

I then arranged with Captain Snell about my discharge in a few weeks, and he expressed his sorrow at losing my services.