Page:Old Westland (1939).pdf/67

Rh bathed his ankle, which was now very badly swollen. Here, suffering intensely, he was compelled to remain until December 10th. During this time the weather was very bad, continuous rain being experienced. As a result of this the rivers became flooded, natives reporting the Waiho as unfordable.

Brunner, who at this time was seriously ill, made the following entry on December 11th: “Yesterday I resolved to return to Mawhera, and rejoin my own Maoris, and endeavour once more to see a white face and hear my native tongue, so I retraced my steps to Porangirangi. I was induced to make Parika (Paringa, as we know it) the terminus of my southing for several reasons: my lameness had made me anxious to return to Nelson, the summer season was fast approaching to a close and I dreaded the idea of another long winter. The country I was passing through was quite worthless, and certainly so in respect to Nelson, and I had a wish of returning by a fresh route and of seeing more of the country. I also resolved to try getting back by the Mawhera if I should abandon the idea of crossing the island from the Taramakau to Port Levy. Had I urged the natives to proceed further south with me, I could not get their services to assist me with a canoe up the Mawhera, so that being here without resources I was very much at the mercy of the natives. When I told Te Raipo of