With Terence gazing, wonder-struck, and Te Karearea glancing fearfully at him, George still stood with rigid muscles and set smile, though he was deadly pale. He was, indeed, as much amazed as any of them at his marvellous escape. So many queer things had happened, that it never occurred to him then, any more than to the least intelligent among the Hau-haus, that in the hurry of loading an unfamiliar weapon, the Maori who owned the gun had probably forgotten to put in the wad over the ball, which had naturally rolled out of the barrel long before the gun was fired.[2] [2] A fact. For all his outward coolness, he was shaken and spent, and it was only by the supremest effort that he managed to control his quivering nerves and stand there, calm and smiling, as if he had anticipated this very result. Te Karearea was almost as frightened as were his men, and the temptation he felt to run along with them warred hard against the necessity for keeping up his dignity in their presence. But his iron will conquered, and presently he turned to George and said with a forced smile: 'Teach me your magic, Hortoni, I pray you. We Hau-haus claim to be invulnerable in battle, but----' But George, now that the strain was lifted, felt suddenly limp and intensely desirous of being left alone. So with a protesting wave of the hand he cut into the chief's speech. 'Another time, O Hawk of the Mountain, we will talk of this wonder. Now I go to give thanks to my God, who is stronger than TUMATAUENGA, and who twice within the hour has saved me from death.' He was about to withdraw when a thought struck him, and, pointing to the prostrate Pokeke, he said: 'I claim that man to do with as I will.' 'He is yours,' Te Karearea assented laconically, and, closely followed by Terence, George entered the bush and disappeared. CHAPTER XVI SPLENDIDE MENDAX George, as has been said, had never thought of the simple explanation of the amazing incident just related; but he readily accepted it when suggested by Terence, for his healthy mind revolted from the constant association with the apparently supernatural which circumstances forced upon him. It was better and wiser, he felt, to esteem these mysterious happenings capable of eventual solution, than to drift into the habit of regarding them as inexplicable by natural means. 'If it ever comes to a fight, you will have it all your own way,' laughed Terence, 'for none of them will have the nerve to tackle you.' 'When I left home, I had no idea that I should become a person of such importance,' George said, smiling. 'Come; let us get back to the chief.' As they appeared at the edge of the clearing, Te Karearea came up all smiles and explanations; but the Hau-haus looked askance at them, those nearest to them hastening to increase their distance.