Chapter 10

On hearing the lookout's warning of approaching canoes, Ngaiti leaned in closer to Andrew and Eleanor, "I suspect chief Te Wharepouri is in one of the waka, although I have no idea who is in the other."

"Should Eleanor go to her cabin for safety?" asked Andy with a concerned look.

"I'm not going below to my cabin, Andrew Stewart!"

"I think she is safe here, they aren't coming to cause us harm," suggested Ngaiti.

"There!" Eleanor nodded her head emphatically as she crossed her arms in defiance - she wouldn't go below.

The two war canoes, waka taua, were drawing closer, but still too far away to clearly identify faces. In synchronisation, the thirty paddlers in each waka dug their hoe into the water with short, aggressive and powerful strokes that propelled the craft quickly.

Captain Chaffers ordered all passengers to stand back in a group on the quarterdeck, not out of fear or threat of danger, but out of respect and to be welcoming, he reassured. Jerningham Wakefield positioned himself so he could document the arrival and Charles Heaphy, using the navigator's chart table, begun to sketch the two canoes as they approached. Colonel Wakefield disappeared to his cabin to suitably attire for the occasion.

The large, black painted prow, tauihu, of each canoe rose proudly, dismissing the large waves with ease in an explosion of spray as both ornately carved waka drew closer. At the rear, a warrior controlled the waka with a large steering oar. At times he crouched for balance as he applied his weight to keep the heavy craft on course, at other times he stood straight and proud. Even from a distance, Ngaiti could see the man grinning, enjoying every moment. The short, powerful strokes of the warriors, dictated by the chant of a caller, kicked up copious amounts of water as the hoe plunged repetitively into the ocean. With ample freeboard, seawater still managed to find a way inside, and a couple of dedicated men bailed furiously, emptying the accumulated seawater from the bottom of each canoe.

It was obvious to everyone on board the Tory that the approaching waka were putting on an impressive display of speed, handling and physical endurance; this was a demonstration for the benefit of the onlookers. As they drew closer, Ngaiti was able to identify features and immediately pointed out Chief Te Wharepouri to Andrew and Eleanor. He couldn't see who the chief was in the other waka, but thought it might be the older Chief Te Puni.

Colonel Wakefield returned on deck looking resplendent in his finest livery. He requested to Captain Chaffers that the Tory heave-to and a ladder made ready to lower on his command, but in caution, had held back until he knew the intentions of the natives bearing down on them. The entire crew and passengers were on deck watching the waka with attentive fascination and some anxiousness, which Barrett did little to appease.

Ngaiti was also nervous; he had no way of knowing if Honi spoke to chief Te Wharepouri, and if he did, then what would his response be? He hoped that Te Wharepouri would not say anything to Colonel Wakefield about being forewarned. There was little he could do but wait.

"Do they carry weapons on board those canoes?" asked Eleanor.

"Yes, it is common to have the warriors armed while on a waka, but, I do not know if they are armed now," replied Ngaiti.

"Even if they were hostile, there is little they could do against the cannons aboard this ship," said Andrew proudly, feeling secure.

"And how accurate are those cannon against swiftly moving waka? They could be inside the firing angle in seconds and you'd have sixty Māori clambering over the sides of this ship in moments," Ngaiti responded with a grin.

Eleanor looked nervously at Andrew, who wisely decided to remain quiet.

"You are safe Miss Ellie, if they were going to attack, we would have known about it by now," reassured Ngaiti with a laugh.

So that they could be formally introduced, Colonel Wakefield had all officers and senior passengers assemble to the front of the group. Ngaiti, Andrew and Eleanor were deemed less important and stood further back. Finally deciding that they were in no apparent danger, the colonel instructed the ladder to be lowered - an invitation to come aboard. However, the two waka did not approach, instead pausing some distance from the ship.

"Why won't they come?" queried the colonel to Dickie Barrett.

"I don't know sir," replied Barrett, equally puzzled.

"Tell them it's safe, we will not hurt them."

"They cannot hear us sir, they are beyond hailing distance."

"Then we shall wait," informed Colonel Wakefield.

Doctor John Dorset, the official colonial surgeon, suggested they go below to retire from the sun and wind until such time as their presence was required on deck. Wakefield put an end to that request smartly.

"Perhaps we should lower a ship's boat and go to them," offered Wakefield to Barrett.

"Yes, we could do that sir, it may help."

"Colonel Wakefield, sir?" Ngaiti spoke.

"Yes, what is it Ngaiti?" answered Wakefield continuing to look at the waka.

"If you ran the guns in and lowered the gun ports, then the Tory may appear less threatening."

Wakefield turned to face Ngaiti, then slowly to Barrett. "Yes, a splendid idea. Captain?"

"Aye, aye, sir," responded Captain Chaffers.

Within moments orders were barked out and the crew began securing the guns and lowering the gun ports. Immediately, both waka began to move and slowly approached the Tory.