The stars are faintly shining in the heavens! For "Atutahi" and "Rehua-Kai-tangata" Have disappear'd, and that fair star that shone Beside the milky way. Emblems these Of thee, O friend beloved. The Mount of Tongariro rises lonely In the South; while the rich feathers that Adorn'd the great canoe "Arawa," Float upon the wave, and women from the West look on and weep! Why hast thou left behind the valued treasures Of thy famed ancestor Rongomaihuia, And wrapp'd thyself in night? Cease thy slumbers, O thou son of Rangi! Wake up, and take thy battle-axe, and tell Thy people of the coming signs; and what Will now befall them. How the foe, tumultuous As the waves, will rush with spear uplifted; And how thy people will avenge their wrongs, Nor shrink at danger. But let the warriors Breathe awhile, nor madly covet death! Lo, thou art fallen, and the earth receives Thee as its prey! But thy wondrous fame Shall soar on high, resounding o'er the heavens![44] The small, picturesque island of Motutaiko, which forms one of the most conspicuous and attractive features when looking from Tokanu over the lake, is formed by an oblong mass of rock, with precipitous sides, which arise abruptly from the water. It is mostly covered with a dense vegetation, which casts its fantastic shadows upon the shining surface below, and altogether it is a very pretty and a very romantic-looking place. It is accessible only on one side, and the water surrounding it is said by the natives to be of enormous depth. As with most remarkable places situated in solitary positions, the superstitious mind of the Maori has made this curious island the abode of an evil spirit or _taniwha_, one Horomatangi, who appears to act the part of a kind of Neptune of the lake. He is said by the natives to live in a submerged cave on the western side of the island, where the rocks are steepest. Ever on the alert, in fine or foul weather, whenever a passing canoe goes by, he stirs up the elements, and, causing the water to surge and roll, upsets the frail bark, and carries off its living freight to his abode beneath the lake. On this account natives, when navigating the lake, steer clear of this island. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 43: Te Heuheu was the most powerful chief of his time, and exercised a widespread influence over the Maori race, who regarded him in the light of a deified being. He is said to have been a man of herculean proportions, standing seven feet high.] CHAPTER XV. THE RANGIPO TABLE-LAND. Along the delta of the Upper Waikato--Mount Pihanga--The Poutu River and Lake Rotoaira--Boundaries of the Rangipo--Scenery--A fine night--A rough time--A great storm--The _karamu_ as fodder--Banks of the Upper Waikato--Another start--More bad weather--Flooded creeks--Pangarara--Te Hau.