'I have postponed the march for two hours,' the chief informed them. 'I had no wish to disturb your devotions, Hortoni, and also, I did not wish to enter the _pah_ without you. Meantime, Kawainga makes ready your meal.' George acknowledged the courtesy, and, inquiring what had become of Pokeke, was informed that he had been sent ahead to the _pah_ with Paeroa for his guard. 'Has anything been heard of the Arawa spies?' asked George. 'No,' replied the chief, with twinkling eyes. 'It was Paeroa who judged them to be Arawas; but we know better.' 'We!' echoed George. 'What can I know about them?' He spoke haughtily, while Terence, to whom he rapidly interpreted, assumed what he honestly believed to be an expression of most virtuous indignation. 'You can answer that best, Hortoni,' the chief said quickly; 'but, even for one so beloved of the gods as yourself, it is unwise to run too many risks.' 'You speak in riddles,' George began still more distantly, when he was interrupted by an outrageous noise at the outskirts of the camp, where two men were cutting chips from an immense log. In the twinkling of an eye this innocent occupation changed to a furious conflict; for six strange Maoris sprang from the fern behind the giant trunk and savagely attacked the hewers, whose roars for aid set the Hau-haus rushing towards them from all sides. Realising that they could not fight a host, the six spies--for such they were--took to their heels; but one remained behind, cloven from shoulder to midriff by a mighty stroke from a hewer's axe. The others got clear away, for Te Karearea sternly checked pursuit, and, running up to the big log, hastily scrutinised the corpse. 'Arawa!' he shouted excitedly. 'Dogs of Arawa! They it was who spied upon us last night.' He spurned the body with his foot, and the Hau-haus instantly flung themselves upon it, and with revolting accompaniments hacked it to pieces. 'Then that story was true after all,' George said in a low voice. 'We are safe; for I am sure the chief has no suspicion of our presence in the underground world.' 'No; and in my opinion----' What Terence's opinion was, George was not to learn, for just then a spattering volley rattled in the bush, several bullets hummed past them, and they bolted for cover. In a moment the clearing was empty, and the Hau-haus, sheltered behind the great trunks, answered the challenge with a random fire. Te Karearea had thrown aside his mats, and now, naked like his warriors, save for his waist-cloth and huia plumes, was dodging actively from tree to tree, firing with great coolness whenever he saw a chance. But, owing to the thick bush, little harm was done on either side, and to the interested onlookers the affair seemed very like a stale mate.