If I am not one of them, I yet claim the consideration of the Children of the Dominion, since I am connected with them by ties of kin and happy memories of childhood and youth lived under the Southern Cross, here and there among the islands on both sides of the Tasman Sea. Also the Dominion has already given me some of the facts of her colonial days as a basis for fiction. So it is permissible to hope that the shortcomings of this book will be forgiven, and that those of the Dominion who may read will recognise throughout its pages a whole-hearted admiration for their country and all that belongs to it. If I please some, I shall be rewarded. For the rest, since "'tis not in mortals to command success," then, _est quadam prodire tenus, si non datur ultra_. REGINALD HORSLEY. [Illustration: NEW ZEALAND] CONTENTS PART I THE MAORI PAGE CHAPTER I THE COMING OF THE RACE 3 CHAPTER II THE MEN WHO CAME 10 CHAPTER III THE LAND TO WHICH THEY CAME 20 CHAPTER IV THE GROWTH OF THE RACE 35 CHAPTER V THE LIFE OF EVERY DAY 48 CHAPTER VI GRIM-VISAGED WAR 55 PART II THE COMING OF THE PAKEHA CHAPTER VII THE DUTCHMAN'S LOSS 69 CHAPTER VIII THE BRITON'S GAIN 79 CHAPTER IX CLOUDS AT DAWN 89 CHAPTER X RONGO PAI! 101 CHAPTER XI THE WARS OF HONGI IKA 108 CHAPTER XII VARIOUS RULERS 119 PART III PAKEHA AND MAORI CHAPTER XIII GREAT BRITAIN WINS 133 CHAPTER XIV INDEPENDENCE AND ARGUMENT 143 CHAPTER XV TE RAUPARAHA AND HONI HEKE 158 CHAPTER XVI THE FALL OF KORORAREKA 172 CHAPTER XVII HEKE AND KAWITI ON THE WARPATH 177 CHAPTER XVIII THE FALL OF THE BAT'S NEST 192 CHAPTER XIX THE WAR IN THE SOUTH 201 CHAPTER XX BUILDING AND UPSETTING 215 CHAPTER XXI O'ERCLOUDED SKIES 225 CHAPTER XXII THE QUEEN MOVES 239 CHAPTER XXIII THE BLACK KNIGHT GIVES CHECK 244