CHAPTER XXIV.

NGATOKORUA PA.

Departure from Ruakaka--A legend--Rough forest--Crossing the Manganui-a-te-Ao--Scenery of the river--Mount Towai--The plains in sight--Rapid rise in the country--Ruapehu from the west--The Waimarino plains--Arrival at the _pa_--The chief's family--A Hauhau chief--_Inter alia_--Pehi on the decay of the Maoris--A war-dance--The mere 281