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Rh and after slaughtering several of them he returned to Purakanui. Taonga retired to his home, resolved on vengeance, and shortly after he returned to Purakanui at the head of a large party, all eager to wipe out the insult in the blood of the foe. Near Purakanui Bay a small peninsula juts into the sea, beneath the overhanging cliffs round which the railway now winds to Blueskin. At this time the peninsula, which now looks merely picturesque and peaceful was occupied by a strongly fortified pah, called Mapoutahi. Thither Te Wera and Patuki had retired with their followers, no doubt dreaming themselves secure behind the strong palisading which crossed the neck of the peninsula. The attacking party lay a short distance away, and some days passed without active hostilities, for the pa was carefully guarded from within, and its position rendered it well nigh impregnable. But the man of vengeance waited, and his opportunity came. The season was winter, and one wild night, when the snow was falling, Taonga sent one of his men to reconnoitre the movements of the enemy. The scout returned with the report that notwithstanding the inclement weather, the palisade was still guarded, and that he had seen the sentry on the watch moving backwards and forwards. Taonga was so greatly surprised at the intelligence that he proceeded to verify it for himself. As he cautiously approached the pa he at first thought his scout's report was really a correct one, but still he crept closer, and watching keenly he at length perceived that the supposed sentry was nothing but a lay figure made up for the occasion, suspended from a support, so that the wind swayed it to and fro, whereby the appearance of life and movement was imparted. Hastily summoning his men, Taonga led them to the palisade, which they quickly and quietly scaled, and thus gained the interior of the fortress of their foe. A few moments and they were distributed throughout the pa, and the alarm given. Te Wera's party rushed from their huts dazed by sleep and darkness, and fell an easy prey to Taonga and his warriors, who ruthlessly slaughtered nearly every inhabitant of the ill-fated pa, only a few escaping in the confusion by leaping into the sea. When morning broke, the slain, among whom was numbered Te Wera, lay around in heaps, and the victors bestowed the name of Purakanui (heaped up) on the locality, in memory of their