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The Maori War

           ThenativeprophetscalledonalltheMaoripopulationtodefendthesoil,andpromisedtheexterminationofthepakekas,orwhitemen.GeneralCameronhadthreethousandvolunteersathisdisposal,andtheygavenoquartertotheMaoriesafterthebarbarousmurderofCaptainSprent.Severalbloodyengagementstookplace;insomeinstancesthefightinglastedtwelvehoursbeforetheMaoriesyieldedtotheEnglishcannonade.TheheartofthearmywasthefierceWaikatotribeunderWilliamThompson.Thisnativegeneralcommandedattheoutset2,500warriors,afterwardincreasedto8,000.ThemenofShongiandHeki,twopowerfulchiefs,cametohisassistance.Thewomentooktheirpartinthemosttryinglaborsofthispatrioticwar.Butrighthasnotalwaysmight.AfterseverestrugglesGeneralCameronsucceededinsubduingtheWaikatodistrict,butemptyanddepopulated,fortheMaoriesescapedinalldirections.Somewonderfulexploitswererelated.FourhundredMaorieswhowereshutupinthefortressofOrakau,besiegedby1,000English,underBrigadier-GeneralCarey,withoutwaterorprovisions,refusedtosurrender,butonedayatnooncuttheirwaythroughthethendecimated40thRegiment,andescapedtothemarshes."

           "But,"askedJohnMangles,"didthesubmissionoftheWaikatodistrictputanendtothissanguinarywar?"

           "No,myfriend,"repliedPaganel."TheEnglishresolvedtomarchonTaranakiprovinceandbesiegeMataitawa,WilliamThompson’sfortress.Buttheydidnotcarryitwithoutgreatloss.

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