'I am not sure that the colonel would agree with you,' said George. 'Still, there are enough of us here, and it is a pity to waste valuable lives.' He turned to the Arawa. 'The sooner we go the better, Chief.' 'I am ready, Hortoni. Show us the way.' Without more words George and Terence dropped into the hole--more circumspectly than on the first occasion--followed by all of the Arawas except three whom Te Ingoa sent upon the back track. Also, by George's order Paeroa and Kawainga remained behind, for they were thoroughly exhausted by their exertions. When at last the contingent stood beneath the exit on the hillside it was precisely six o'clock, an hour when ordinarily the _pah_ would have been humming with the bustle of commencing day. On this day there was bustle, indeed, but not of the usual kind. Before disturbing the barricade which Te Karearea had for some reason placed before the opening, Te Ingoa, his lieutenants, and the two Pakehas held a final brief conference. George was for waiting until night before delivering the attack, but the Arawa argued that he would be unable to hold in his men, who were mad to get to grips with Te Karearea, whose revolting cruelties had disgraced the name of Maori. 'Then you will suffer terribly,' said George; 'for the place is extraordinarily strong.' 'We shall of course lose a few as we cross the bridge and rush the walls,' Te Ingoa agreed coolly. 'That is to be expected. All the same, the Hawk's nest shall be harried this time, I promise you.' 'Well, I don't want to be a wet blanket,' said George, giving in. 'We two will do our best to help you.' 'I am sure of that,' Te Ingoa replied heartily, and shook hands, English fashion. 'As you and Tereni know the lie of the land, you had better go out first and reconnoitre.' It was easy enough to displace the barricade and, as the boulders were thrown aside and sounds from the outer world began to penetrate, it was evident that something out of the common was afoot. For, borne upon the morning wind, came the noise of distant shouting, the snapping crackle of independent rifle fire, and the short, sullen bark of revolvers. Then, as George and Terence hurled down the last obstruction and excitedly pushed through the opening, the roar of a heavy volley close at hand stunned their ears, and to their amazement they saw the plain and hillside alive with men, fighting furiously, and all, apparently, in the most extraordinary confusion. 'Come out!' shouted George. 'Hold back your men, though, until you have seen this thing for yourself. I can't make it out.' 'I think I can,' cried Terence, jumping about in his excitement as Te Ingoa joined them. 'The main body of your force has come up on the heels of the advance and got between Te Karearea's rascals and the _pah_. See--the walls are almost deserted.' 'You are right,' agreed Te Ingoa. 'Those are my _kupapas_ (volunteer Maoris), and they are settling accounts with the Hau-haus.'