The _mere_[1] (pronounced almost as 'merry') or war-club of the Maoris was in shape something like an old-fashioned soda-water bottle, flattened, and was made of wood, bone, a very hard gray stone, whalebone, jade, or of the valuable mineral, nephrite, more commonly known as 'greenstone,' which is found in the Middle Island. The Maoris regarded the greenstone with superstitious veneration, and in times of danger would sacrifice their ornaments fashioned from it to the particular god whose aid it was desired to invoke. Greenstone clubs were the peculiar possessions of chiefs or very important tribesmen, inferior mortals contenting themselves with those of less costly materials. [1] In Maori every letter is pronounced. Thus: _whare_, a house = 'wharry,' not 'whar.' Regarding the particular greenstone club which figures so prominently in the story, it is, perhaps, only fair to admit that it will be useless for readers with archæological tastes to endeavour to verify the tradition of its origin or the sinister prophecy attached to it. While I took no part in the struggle, I well remember, when a very little boy, adding my small voice to the enthusiastic cheers of the people as first one regiment and, later on, another, marched through the streets of Sydney on their way to embark for New Zealand. When several sizes larger, it was my fortune to see much of the native races of the southern seas--in Maori-land, Fiji, the Loyalty Islands, and elsewhere. Now if I can succeed in interesting my readers by picturing for them some of the scenes which filled my childhood with so much colour and interest and delight, I shall be satisfied. REGINALD HORSLEY. CONTENTS CHAP. I. FAMILY JARS II. THE QUEEN'S SHILLING SUNDERS FRIENDS III. THE PRICE OF SUCCESS IV. TE KAREAREA V. THE GRATITUDE OF TE KAIHUIA VI. THE STORY OF THE GREENSTONE MERE VII. STORM SIGNALS VIII. THE STORM BURSTS IX. JUST IN TIME X. TOGETHER AGAIN XI. ONE MYSTERY THE LESS XII. VANISHED XIII. DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN XIV. MAGIC, BLACK AND WHITE XV. POKEKE, THE SULLEN ONE XVI. SPLENDIDE MENDAX XVII. SAFE BIND, SAFE FIND XVIII. PAEROA AT LAST XIX. PAEROA'S VENGEANCE XX. A BID FOR LIBERTY XXI. IN THE FLAX SWAMP XXII. THE DOOM OF THE HOUSE OF TE TURI LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS There lay Winata Pakaro, famous fighting chief, his lips set in a grin of hate . . . _Frontispiece_ Captain Varsall was seen to flee at top speed towards the beach George turned from the mate to find Te Karearea at his elbow In another moment Terence's wrists were free and the rifle in his grasp The tunnel took a turn, widening into a cave Map of the _Pah_ of Death and its surroundings IN THE GRIP OF THE HAWK CHAPTER I FAMILY JARS The long-drawn, melancholy wail of the curlew rose and fell thrice in the garden, and Terence Moore went to the window and looked out into the clear moonlight. 'Is that you, George?' he hailed.