Small time is given to the men on the extreme left to join up, for in less than a minute our O.C. gives the word: “Come on, boys, double!” and we run as hard as we can round the left flank of the pah, and make for the rear of it, taking no notice of the shots fired at us. As we come round to the rear we catch sight of a long line of natives evacuating the place and making for the bush, that on this side was less than one hundred and fifty yards from the work, and we race to try and cut them off. Many of them however are women and children, so we do not fire, but our attention is speedily distracted by a sharp fire opened on us from the bush. Like a gate we swing round. “Extend and charge!” shouts Mr Roach, and we rush at the bush full pace, reaching it two men short, and at once take cover. Here we have a pretty little skirmish, the natives falling back while we press on for over half-a-mile, when a loud yelling proclaimed they had been joined by another party. “By Jove, they are going to charge us. Form groups!” shouted Mr Roach, and on this order Hutton, Jack and Tim race up to me, Mr Roach also joining our group, all of whom have good cover. “’Ord blast this carbine,” growled Jack as a fresh yell rose from the natives. “’Eyer’s this blankity blank powder-skin busted, and the ruddy bullet’s jammed. ’Ord rot ye,” he howled, throwing his useless weapon down and drawing his knife and revolver. “Come on, yer blankity blank swine, and let’s get to handgrips with yer.” “Dick, see your pistol’s clear for drawing; they are going to rush us,” whispered Hutton, and we all stood wound up ready for anything. All at once a dead silence fell that lasted for a few minutes. “By God,” growled Jack, “I believe the rotten swine have cleared,” and he picked up his carbine, withdrew the cleaning rod and proceeded to knock out the jammed bullet. “Just like our ruddy luck, to be sold when yer think ye’re in for a bit of sport,” and the bad words rumbled out of the old buccaneer like the grumblings of a distant thunderstorm. Jack was right in his surmises, for the cunning natives had pretended to charge us so as to gain time to retreat. We were still chewing the rag over our disappointment when from the rear our corps call sounded, followed by the retire, so Mr Roach, after ascertaining we were all present, reluctantly gave the orders to fall back on the main body, and my first fight in New Zealand was over.