The troops in winter quarters. Description of camp life. The soldiers’ whares. The house-opening dance. Sawyers near Rangiaowhia. The 65th, a model regiment. Soldiers become capitalists. Looting the Maori horses. The romance of Ariana. The hunchback and his flute. A militiaman’s heart and hand, and Ariana’s scorn. CHAPTER XII.—PIONEER LIFE ON THE OLD FRONTIER 84 Perils of the King Country border. An unknown, sullen land. Picture from the north side of the Puniu. The pioneer settlers’ life in the Seventies. The peach-groves of Orakau. A chain of blockhouses and redoubts. The murder of Timothy Sullivan. Grave danger of another war. Te Awamutu Cavalry Volunteers. Patrolling the out-settlements. The return of peace. When Tawhiao came out. “The King of the Cannibal Islands.” The peace-making dance in Kihikihi. The capture of Winiata. Mahuki’s raid on Alexandra. Peaceful pakeha conquest of the King Country. CHAPTER XIII.—KIHAROA THE GIANT 96 A Folk-Tale of the Maori Border. The “Giant’s Grave” at Tokanui. Fortified hills of “The Three Sisters.” The story of an invasion. An army in ambush. The battle of Whenuahou. The death of Kiharoa. Matau, the Giant of the Wairaka. APPENDICES 101 Maori place names. The capture of Winiata. Mr Hursthouse’s adventure in the King Country. Mahuki’s raid on Alexandra, and his capture. The King Country railway. THE OLD FRONTIER CHAPTER I. TOPOGRAPHICAL AND LEGENDARY.