to refresh
them, and, of its kind, there was plenty of food, Ngati cautiously
picking and breaking in places where the disarrangement was not likely
to be seen. Every now and then, too, they saw him make quite an eager
dash on one side and return with eggs, which he carefully placed in the
woven bag he had made.

This went on till he had nearly a couple of dozen, at which, as he
trudged along, Jem kept casting longing eyes.

In spite of the danger and weariness, Don could not help admiring the
beauty of the scene, as, from time to time, the gully opened out
sufficiently for him to see that they were steadily rising toward a fine
cone, which stood up high above a cluster of mountains, the silvery
cloud that floated from its summit telling plainly of its volcanic
nature.

"_Tapu_! _tapu_!" Ngati said, every time he saw Don gazing at the
mountain; but it was not till long after that he comprehended the
meaning of the chiefs words, that the place was "tapu," or sacred, and
that it would act as a refuge for them, could they reach it, as the
ordinary Maoris would not dare to follow them there.

Higher up the valley, where the waters were dashing furiously down in
many a cascade, Don began to realise that they were following the bed of
a river, whose source was somewhere high up the mountain he kept on
seeing from time to time, while, after several hours' climbing, often
over the most arduous, rocky ground, he saw that they were once more
entering upon a volcanic district. Pillars of steam rose here and
there, and all at once he started aside as a gurgling noise arose from
beyond a patch of vivid green which covered the edges of a mud-pool, so
hot that it was painful to the hand.

From time to time Ngati had stopped to listen, the shouts growing
fainter each time, while, as they progressed, a heavy thunderous roar
grew louder, died away, and grew louder again.

Don looked inquiringly at Jem.

"It's the big chimney of that mountain drawing, Mas' Don."

"Nonsense!"

"Nay, that's what it is; and what I say is this. It's all wery well
getting away from them cannibals, but don't let's let old Ngati--"

The chief looked sharply round.

"Yes, I'm a-talking about you, old chap. I say, you're not to take us
right up that mountain, and into a place where we shall tumble in."

"_Tapu_! _tapu_!" said Ngati, nodding his head, and pointing toward the
steaming cloud above the mountain.

"Oh, you aggrawating savage!" cri