oners of
them all was not possible, even had it been wisdom; the others might have
done mischief. There were friends of my own among the Maoris, and I
relied upon them as an assistance towards a solution. I must make the
vaunted Ngatipoa in a measure ridiculous; treat them as if they were
naughty children. I addressed the chief, "How could you be so foolish? I
had thought you a wise fellow." He did not say what he thought I was, but
admitted frankly the object of the raid. He asked me to allow them to
leave quietly, and I consented, on condition they went at once.

'They petitioned to remain until the tide was at the flow, when they
could readily get their big canoes afloat. But I was firm, fearing that
if they lingered they might mix with the townspeople, be chaffed, and
retaliate. Besides, I was determined that they should, as a lesson in
humility, have the labour and indignity of pulling their canoes over the
shingle. It vexed them sore, after having arrived with a war-whoop, to be
obliged to beat so menial a retreat. However, they must submit to the
toil and the jeers they had laid up for themselves, by their behaviour.
As they were exhausted, I granted them leave to remain for the night at a
pa, some miles distant from Auckland. Next day they forwarded me a
penitent letter, through Selwyn, if I remember aright.

'The folks of Auckland had all turned out to witness the sport, and were
very proud of the successful result. They were convinced, most of them,
that they had something to do with bringing it about. A picture of the
scene was painted to commemorate it. What worried me, was that I was made
to look so young beside my officers--younger really than I was. Earlier,
Peel had said of me, on the same text, that youth ought to be no bar to
public employment, and that, anyhow, it was a fault which was always
mending.'

Sir George Grey had established New Zealand with peace, and an ever
rising prosperity. The two fondled these isles, as the Pacific Ocean
lapped their shores. 'On your arrival,' wrote the Maoris in one of their
many farewell addresses to him, 'the rain was beating, and the wind
blowing fiercely; and then you lifted up your voice to calm the raging
elements.'

England needed his spell elsewhere.

XII IN THE QUEEN'S NAME

The example of one gallant-minded, stout cadet, was maybe with Carlyle
when he pictured the Queen in Council to pick out some other, still
unoccupied, and adjure him in