Then, not intending to confine himself entirely to one set of advisers, he decided to look up Mr. Dudley Slyde. He found that gentleman in an upper chamber of a large building, writing letters which looked like despatches, with an industry in strong contrast to his _dolce far niente_ attitude during the voyage. However, he promptly relinquished his task, and, taking a chair near a press marked "Native Titles," drew forth a box of cigars, and, lighting one, exhorted his guest to do the same. "Writing home," he said apologetically; "last day of the mail--have to send all sorts of beastly Reports. Just told my directors country's going to the devil; wrapped it up decently, of course. Bad business, this Waitara block--shockingly managed; don't half like the look of things. Heard of it, I suppose?" "Yes, indeed. I witnessed a passage of arms also between one of the Maori deputation and a drunken white man. It appeared to me significant of the temper of the native population." "D----d bad temper generally. Touchy first, and dangerous, not to say bloodthirsty, afterwards. Queer people." "In some respects, certainly. But is there no way of persuading them to sell their land? It would be better for them and everybody else not to lock up this fertile country." "Of course there is, if you go the right way about it. But can't be done by main force. Wants brains and straight going. That's what we're short of. Governor right enough, if it comes to that, but been 'had' in this last affair." "The Waitara block?" "Precisely. I see you're getting colonized. Remember what Bailey Junior said about Mrs. Todgers' fish?" "'Don't eat none of it?' I remember. But how does that apply?" "Just this much. Don't you touch an acre of that rich and well-watered area, if you get it for nothing. There'll be bloodshed over it, take my word. And carrying on Master Bailey's warning, any eating done on the premises is more likely than not to be at the expense, literally and _personally_, of the incautious purchaser." "In my--I was going to say, in my opinion--but I refrain, being unable to form one. But perhaps I may go so far as to quote old colonists--that there is certain to be trouble if this so-called purchase is attempted to be carried out. At this stage could it not be prevented?" "Most certainly it could; but when a policy has been weak up to a certain point, the responsible head is apt to square the account by being obstinate in the wrong place. That's the matter now." "And the end?" "God only knows. If the Government persists in pushing through this bogus sale, against the warnings of Te Rangitake--who, in addition to his being a high chief, and the largest holder in this said block, is a deuced ugly customer--I'll lay twenty to one that there'll be the devil to pay." "But the Government surely won't call out the troops in the face of the reports of Busby and McLean, and the opinion of Maning, anent native titles?"