kainga

The two young men, following this track at a run, found that it brought them, at the end of a mile or so, to the chief _kainga_, or village, of the Aohanga Maoris.

Adventures in Many Lands Various

But after a little time they returned, somewhat sobered and crestfallen, and rejoined the others, who had meanwhile gone inside the _kainga_.

Adventures in Many Lands Various

Only just in time, however, for the next instant the moonlit slope beneath the _kainga_ was alive with Maoris -- men, women, and children -- shouting and rushing about in a state of tremendous excitement.

Adventures in Many Lands Various

To his unspeakable thankfulness the young man gathered from the chance remarks of one of the speakers that Dick, alive and uninjured, had been brought by Horoeka into the _kainga_ at nightfall, and was now shut up in one of the _wharés_.

Adventures in Many Lands Various

Reconnoitring the _kainga_ in the light of the risen moon Hugh stealthily approached the palisade surrounding it.

Adventures in Many Lands Various

The Maoris within the _kainga_ met them with sullen looks, for their soreness of feeling over the Government surveys now going on in their district had made them unfriendly to white faces.

Adventures in Many Lands Various

The next, he took heart again, for there beside him was the hole in the palisade through which he had crept into the _kainga_ an hour before.

Adventures in Many Lands Various

To blunder on the wrong _wharé_ would only serve to arouse the _kainga_.

Adventures in Many Lands Various

"It looks as if we had run our fox to earth," cried Fred exultingly, as they made for the gateway of the high wooden stockade -- relic of the old fighting days -- which surrounded the _kainga_.

Adventures in Many Lands Various

Then, while Fred Elliot was speeding on a seven miles 'tramp round the shore of the lake to the surveyors' camp to invoke the aid of the only other white men in that remote part of the country, Hugh Jervois had made his way to the Maori _kainga_.

Adventures in Many Lands Various