One morning, when we were sunning ourselves in front of the _wharepuni_, I asked Pehi how the Maoris fought in battle. Without a moment's hesitation he jumped up from where he had been seated, and, casting aside his cape and appearing in nothing but a cloth around his loins, entered a small _whare_, and emerged an instant afterwards with a _huata_, or short spear, beautifully carved at the top to represent a grotesque human head, from the mouth of which the tongue protruded about three inches in the form of a spear-blade, while just below the head was a long tuft of white dog's-hair bound with flax stained a bright red. The shaft of the implement, made of _totara_ wood, and highly polished, was rounded at the top part, but widened out in an oval form with sharp, bevelled edges towards the bottom end. Flourishing this weapon about in the wildest way, jumping into the air, making the most hideous grimaces, thrusting out his tongue, and turning up his eyes till nothing but the whites were visible, the old warrior yelled and danced about like a madman, now throwing up his _huata_ in the air and catching it again, now sweeping it round in a way that seemed to carry death in every stroke, the savage, tattooed countenance of the old _rangatira_ working the while in a most diabolical fashion. He made terrific and frantic cuts at each of our heads, but so dexterous was he in the manipulation of his weapon that he arrested it in every instance when within the eighth of an inch of our skulls--which he jocosely told us were not thick enough to hurt the _huata_. [Illustration: A "MERE."] When questioned as to the use of the _mere_, he informed us that it was seldom used in war, except by the chiefs, and that it was more an emblem of rank which was handed down as an heirloom in a tribe. The greenstone _mere_ was so highly prized that to secure one in battle appeared to be considered as an act of glory, just as the taking of a stand of colours might be with us. The _mere_ was, however, always considered as a formidable weapon in fight, as a blow from it, if properly dealt, would break any bone in a man's body. When using it, it was customary to aim at the head. It was also used by the chiefs to cleave the skulls of the captured. He told us that the Maoris had never accustomed themselves to the use of the bow and arrow, and that, when fighting, they depended principally upon the _huata_ and other spears, until the Europeans taught them the use of fire-arms. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 66: Literally, the battle-ground where the rock was thrown.] CHAPTER XXV. HOT SPRINGS OF TONGARIRO. Departure from Ngatokorua--Okahakura Plains--Tongariro from the north--Source of the Whanganui--The hot springs--A marvellous sanatorium--Crater of Ketetahi--Te Perore--A strategic position--Kuwharua--Maori cakes--A grand region--Site for a public park.