The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-03-11

dressing me, asked, Is it true. Have you
struck the rangatira?"
81 have was my answer.
"Then," said he, " cannot save you. You
have broken the law of the Maories. You
must appeal to them"
Already was seized. Although of con:
siderable more than average strength, was
motionless as statue in the grasp Of four
athletic natives. two on each side. The ac-
cusing chieftain siezed his ak, made from the
sacred greensboro. which is highly prised by
the rangatiras, and poising it. was about to
deliver that blow which is never known to
fail in dealing instant ENTHUSIASTICALLY
even ceaving to the chin-when the commits
sloner motioned to one Of the oldest men
present, who rushed forward, and stepping
in front of me, said, "Did not my brother
hear. The white man must speak to the
Maories. The white father says So"
The would-be executioner lowered his Ak.
was released for the moment. but hope al
most forsook me when heard the universal
exclanati Of, 1t is good. He speaks be-
fore he dies"
Here was very unpromisiug jury. Not be-
ing So we'll read in Maori as in English law,
| was somewhat at loss, but necessity being
the mother of invention, l gave vent to my
injured feelings in this manner:
q speak to the great Maories. They
have law. 1t is good and holy. bend
before it, and | ask my great Maori brothers
to put it iniforce. If they do not, the sun
will look down; tomorrow, and he will see
that the Maories are people who have no
holy law. They crawl. They do not walk.
He will 60 away from them. The moon, the
stars, will no longer serve them. The birds,
the fishes, will all say, The Maories crawl
Do speak welI?''
A vehement cry of appreciation answered
me, not however unmingled with surprise i;
for they could not comprehend why was SO
anxious TO be executed. proceeded:
Yes, my Maori brothers, hear that /
speak well. will speak better. will open
their hearts, their ears, tkeir eyes. That ran
gatira (pointing TO my accuser) has shut them.
The Maori law says the rangatira is sacred.
l am white rangatira. In my country the
earth shakes when l walk want rain. l
look up. The rain comes. want sun. 1
look up. The sun comes. lam holy. That
rangatira has raised his hand against me. l
no longer stood. He has thrown me in the
air. |, ranga,ira, my back touched the
ground. claim his life."
The tables were completely turned. The
commissioner rose in such a hurry 10 con-
graduate me that he overturned his seat Of
justice. Ny companions in misfortune rush
ed forward and almost embraced NE, while,
at sign from the old chiefs, nv late tn
umphant enemy was brought before me in
the dread predieament from which l had so
recently escaped. He looked so very CREST
fallen, that was unable TO refrain from q
hurst of laughter, on which, he hastened to
inform me that by another provision of the
same law. his fate lay entirely on nv hands,
that if | chose to exercise If, had the power
OF pardon. was pleased enough to hear
this, and making him the object of my Glenn
ency. only told him TO prepare our boats for
sea before he departed. He was more than
willing 10 20 this. and having finished his
task, came 10 the house where we were en-
joying the best supper the commissioner
could provide, and insisted upon an enormous
amour; Of embracing and nose-rubbing, be-
fore he would leave me-. His companions
had previously gone with many expressions
of respect and attachment, and SO we were
at last left to enjoy our grog. and to laugh
Uhough | could not laugh quite as heartily
as usual, f the next day or two) over the
incidents to the court martiaL--AR the Year
Round