The overlanders, p.10
The Overlanders, page 10
Sometimes the men paddled across the current and it seemed at other times the canoes would be dashed against large stones. The guides worked hard and managed to propel the canoes with great skill. It seemed to go on forever, but it in fact it was only minutes later that they were in smooth water again with the roaring of the water behind them. Sarah looked as white as a sheet. Her face was taut and she bit her lip to stop it from shaking.
‘Sis, that was a bit of excitement! You all right?’
‘Fine, thanks. That was fun. Can we do it again?’ Sarah spoke sarcastically. Her fingers and arms ached from holding on to the canoe. Taking a big breath, she released her hands from the sides of the boat. Pretending nothing was wrong, she gazed around.
The tranquillity of the scenery calmed her, enabling her to enjoy the view of the high mountains, covered with tall, graceful pines with creeping plants hanging between them. This created a dense wood of many different colours with a feathery fern tree here and there, poking its delicate head up above the smaller shrubs. At the water’s edge, there were no bushes, the soil was hidden by long palm-like ferns which over-lapped each other. No bare earth was seen.
The rapid stream and fast plunging paddles had hurried the canoes along. As they rounded the corners of the river, the scenery appeared the same, serene and beautiful. Sarah stopped paddling for a short time and lay back against Peter, dragging her hand in the water as they went along.
Andrew, on seeing her leaning against Peter, felt a tinge of jealously, wanting too to feel the warmth of her body on him.
At nine a.m., they passed the village of Terukura and soon afterwards came to a set of waterfalls which dropped several feet. The travellers stopped before the first fall, baggage was taken out of the canoes and each canoe was lowered down the steepest drop with a rope attached to the stern. Once lowered, the boatmen got into the canoes and paddled off down the remaining falls, much to the admiration of the watchers. The men seemed to enjoy themselves as yells of delight could be heard as they shot down the rapids. Back on board again, they passed the junction of the Ohura River, which falls into the Whanganui from a height of about twenty feet. It was a beautiful sight, the water forming a thin spray as it hit the bottom, making their clothes damp. Here was another village and they pulled in for an hour to bargain for potatoes. The man wanted four pieces of tobacco for a kit; Andrew managed to get him to take two.
Gliding through the water, Sarah was once more allowed to rest and lie back, her hand dipping into the water as she leaned against her brother’s legs. The banks were nearly perpendicular, some seemed a thousand feet high and covered with bush right down to the water’s edge. Looking forwards, it seemed there was no opening but soon they were on a mountain bound lake.
The canoes travelled at good speed and it felt as if they were sailing downhill. In front, the water appeared to vanish into the mountain but the canoes were propelled around a sharp bend and then on downstream. At dark, they came upon a small village on the left bank. Andrew, after a great deal of bargaining, managed to get a pig for a pound. He said they should have got it for ten shillings but because a white man cheated the chap when he sold him one for five, he would not take anything less for it. Rangi and Matiu killed and butchered the animal with amazing skill and both Peter and Andrew agreed to give them the head and forequarters. All dined on fried pig’s liver, potatoes and vegetables which were filling. Retiring to their blankets, they all slept well.
Andrew appeared to be in a good mood, as he had been ever since they had embarked at half-past six after a breakfast of pork chops. Sarah felt less defensive and more relaxed around Andrew once more. The sounds around them were lovely. Birds were singing, making the forest echo with their songs. The banks of the river were much like yesterday but the rain arrived at eleven and by four they halted at a wattle and daub house, which belonged to a European pork salter. The hut was locked but a salt shed was nearby. On inspection it was free of fleas and sand flies, so they decided to use it for the night.
Sarah was once more worried about sharing the accommodation. She felt uncomfortable, not with the idea of being close to Andrew, but the opposite. Fighting her feelings, she positioned herself on the other side of the hut away from both Peter and Andrew. This did not go unnoticed by the men and Peter took the opportunity to whisper to her:
‘As long as I am between you and him, there is no reason to go over the other side of the room.’
‘I know, but it is not the right thing to be so close,’ came Sarah’s tart reply.
The rain was heavy at times and she moved closer to the men as the rain came through the walls. Sarah’s bedding felt damp and she was chilled in the morning. On rising, she shook due to the cold, her breath was seen on the early morning air as she breathed out and blew on her hands, trying to warm them up. Adding more wood on the fire, it burst into flames. Warm at last.
Two days later, it was fine as they embarked once again on the canoe journey, passing a village called Pikiriki, a beautiful spot with patches of wheat sown around it. They noticed many canoes drawn up on the bank and in the distance a large church. As they proceeded, many native villages went by all with substantial churches built of boards and shingles.
‘Sarah, look at that.’ Peter pointed downstream. Several canoes were drawing close. In one, there was a cow lashed to a board, mooing loudly. It was an extraordinary sight and the cow did not appear to be too happy about it. All found the scene amusing as they reached the end of their day’s travel, at a place called Whunimiti.
On landing, a distinguished looking man came and shook hands. His face was completely covered with tattoos. He wore a cape covered in feathers and appeared to be held in high esteem by the other Maoris. Their guides rubbed noses with him but they did not speak. Their natives appeared to be uneasy, and the younger ones in particular appeared slightly afraid. Natives appeared from nowhere and soon there were a great number, looking and pointing at the party. After setting up camp, they relaxed as best they could around the fire. Instead of sitting away from their European travellers, the Maori guides and porters joined them. Sarah noticed Andrew, Peter and Einyoa seemed to be on alert all through the meal, looking about at the others and then back to the surrounding Maoris. Sarah at first was worried but later dismissed the notion of danger as she knew they could move on if there was a problem.
After the meal, Einyoa spoke with urgency to Andrew and Peter. Both men nodded at whatever he said. Sarah, unable to hear, stood up to stretch her legs, and went to move away from the fire, when she heard Andrew’s voice:
‘Stay close to the fire, Sarah.’ Peter looked up at Andrew, then Sarah,
‘I am fine. I just want to stretch my legs. I need to...’ She pointed to the bush.
‘That may be so, but wait for Peter.’ Andrew added. Sarah pretended not to hear.
‘Sarah!’ Andrew sounded cross and stood up. Sarah was annoyed at the tone of his voice and ignored him once more and continued to walk away from the fire.
She had not gone too far when she was surrounded by Maori women, all talking fast in their native tongue. She became frightened, especially when they touched her and tried to stretch herself up to see where the men were, but realised she was cut off. Her heart sped up, sweat poured down her back as in her panic her chest hurt. The women offered her goods to trade. Sarah shook her head and saying no, indicating with her hands she had nothing to offer. They took no notice and became irritated. A woman pushed her, then another. Sarah felt pain as their hands hit and pinched her skin. One tugged at her clothes and pulled her hair. Then an arm grabbed her around her waist, pulling her backwards. She was about to scream when she heard Andrew’s voice close to her ear:
‘Shh! Sarah, it is all right. Do as I say. We are going to move back slowly to the camp fire.’ His voice was calm and reassuring, but forceful. Looking up, she saw Andrew as he stared back at the natives. His face was expressionless as he pulled her closer to his body, his arm tight around her waist as if to shield her from them. In his other hand, Andrew held his rifle, holding it in a nonthreatening manner down by his side, but with his finger on the trigger. As he extracted her from the crowd, the Maoris backed away slowly. Sarah smelt him, felt the warmth of his body and muscular arms around her and heard his heart pounding in his chest. She began to feel safer, but it was not over yet.
‘Here, Peter, take her and get her into the canoe!’ Andrew released her and gently pushed her in Peter’s direction. At first, Sarah did not want to let him go, holding on to his arm stretched across her body.
‘Go to Peter, Sarah, now!’ His voice was firm and controlled, and she realised she must go. Peter appeared angry with her as he took her hand none too gently and pulled her towards the canoes. The guides had already packed the gear and when Peter and Sarah were on board, they hastily pushed off and out into the river. Sarah glanced back and saw that Andrew, his face, slightly red with anger was also in his canoe and heading to safety. Andrew was annoyed but relieved the situation had not got out of control. Sarah shook uncontrollably, as Peter leant forward and placing his hand on her arm spoke:
‘You’re safe now, take a big breath. We will be fine.’ Sarah glanced back at him; Peter smiled, but shook his head in irritation. He, too, was very angry at her but also relieved that Andrew had been there. With his army training, he had assessed the situation and without hesitation, had Sarah in his arms before Peter knew what was happening. He hoped his sister had learnt a valuable lesson, and would do what she has been asked straight away next time.
In the distance, she saw the crowd standing on the river’s edge, angry, shouting and shaking their fists. They did not appear to be going for their canoes to follow them and Sarah was thankful when they disappeared from sight as the canoes rounded a bend.
The noise faded as the group paddled downstream for a while. She recalled Andrews’s strong arm around her, holding her close, protecting her from harm. Her heart quickened with the thought of what could have happened. Her chest was tight, butterflies in her stomach turned summersaults and then she vomited over the side of the boat. Peter and Andrew’s gazes met in silence.
By the time they had found another place to halt, it was dark. The tents were erected but were soon filled with hundreds of sand-flies and mosquitoes. The trio put on the sand-fly repellent, hoping it would stop them from being eaten alive. Firewood was scarce and they used the wood they had purchased previously to light a fire. At the clearing was a small group of Maoris, but they kept to themselves and their Maoris did not speak to them, preferring to keep their distance. Sarah was not hungry, and as she recalled what had happened, she shook and felt sick.
‘What had made the Maoris so angry?’ Sarah asked as she stoked the fire.
‘I do not know, perhaps they wanted to trade with us and as we had nothing, they became upset.’ Peter whispered. ‘I do not know, one sister may have gone a long way.’ Peter teased, but Andrew did not smile.
‘I heard that, Peter!’ Sarah said crossly and gave him one of her glares, neither Andrew nor Peter could resist a smile.
‘It was worth a thought.’ Peter’s expression changed. ‘You did not do as you were told. You deliberately ignored Andrew. Now go and get some water, I will speak to you later.’ Sarah was angry and embarrassed by the way her brother had spoken to her-it was if she were a child. Typical of Peter, trying to be the dominant one. She stared at him then at Andrew, who was sticking the metal poles in the ground, deliberately not looking at her. Snatching up the billy, she headed for the river. She sat down on the sand and cried, only returning later once she was composed. Peter was about to comment on her being so long, saw she was upset, and let her be.
Everything appeared peaceful and calm as the group settled down for the night. After dinner, Andrew stood leaning against a tree, staring out into the river, as he packed his pipe with tobacco, then lit it. Listening to the trickle of the water and the odd cry of the morepork, Sarah timidly approached him.
‘I would like to thank you for what you did back there.’ He continued to look out over the river, took the pipe from his mouth and expelling smoke he spoke:
‘It was no problem. Einyoa was not happy and suspected that something was not right. We were expecting trouble.’
She placed her hand on his arm. He felt her touch and continued to look at the pipe in his hand as she spoke:
‘Once again, thank you. You did try to warn me.’ Placing a hand on top of hers, he turned to her.
‘And you being yerself, Sarah, took no notice.’ Sarah shrugged her shoulders and hung her head. She felt herself going red. In a subtle way, he had told her off. She wanted to pull her hand away but he held it firmly under his. He paused before speaking again. ‘Scary wasn’t it?’ Sarah nodded and looked up at Andrew’s face.
‘Yes, it was.’
‘It could have really turned nasty, yer know.’ Sarah nodded.
Andrew wanted to pick up her hand and kiss it and to hold her in his arms as he had done hours before, but this was not the time. He wanted to tell her it did not matter, but it did. He was angry; she had ignored him earlier, placing everyone at risk. He would have given one of his subordinates time in the brig for what she had done. She would have to be less defensive and more open to her male companions’ advice. Sarah realised that Andrew’s hand was still on top of hers, rubbing his hand back and forward across the top of hers. She tried to pull it away again, but he still held it firm.
Looking up into his eyes, his face showed no expression. He wanted to cuddle her, but he also wanted to slap her.
‘Next time, it may pay yer to listen to someone who is much older and wiser than yer.’ Sarah stared back. Andrew smiled. She pulled her hand away with a false smile. Sarah felt a flash of anger, but stayed calm.
‘I suppose because you are male, you think you are automatically wiser.’
‘I feel we have a bit more experience than yer, don’t you agree? Next time Peter or I tell yer to do something, yer better take notice.’
‘Perhaps I will and then again, I might not.’ she said sarcastically. Her anger rose, especially after she saw the broad smile on his face, but it soon disappeared.
‘I have seen men whipped for less.’ Sarah’s heart jumped.
‘Have you ever ordered a man whipped?’ He wished she had not asked this question, but he was not going to lie.
‘I have ordered a few.’ He stared back.
‘Oh, oh,’ she said. ‘Have you ever...?’
‘Me! No, I have not personally held the whip.’ She did not know what to think.
‘I suppose we should get some sleep?’
‘Aye, I suppose we should.’ Andrew repeated her words. She turned to go but Andrew grabbed her arm, gently pulling her in front of him.
‘Next time, yer will do as yer told,’ his voice was firm. ‘Do yer understand?’ She did not reply, but looked up into his face. His lips were tight together but his eyes said something else. Sarah was confused. ‘Do yer understand?’ he repeated. She nodded. ‘If yer do not, Peter will put yer on the first boat home and I will help him.’ Still she did not say anything as tears began to form. How can they bully her like this? Andrew sighed, his face looked calm once more, and he smiled.
‘Now lass.’ He let go of her hand and rubbed her arm up and down, as if to reassure her. ‘You go and get some sleep and we will start afresh in the morn.’ She nodded, swallowed and turned to go to bed. Andrew watched her go. Smoking his pipe, he considered how much she affected him. He wanted to give her a good telling off, but the moment they touched, he knew that he could not.
Sunday was a rest day and because of the rain, though they were only a day away from Whanganui, they decided to remain where they were. The other party of Maoris left, leaving them on their own. The rain was heavy and came through the calico tent like a mist. The wind changed and as the front of the tent was open, the wind whipped in. The guides cut ferns, and making a frame of long tea tree sticks, they soon had a wall put up, which effectively kept out the wet. Peter noticed the day before that Andrew and Sarah had been having words and by the expression on his sister’s face, he knew Andrew had got the better of her. Sarah was still irritated with Andrew and it did not help when Peter asked:
‘Did Andrew speak to you last night?’
‘You know he did.’
‘No one can tell you anything, can they, Sarah? I hope you learnt something yesterday about listening to what people tell you. I will put you on the next boat home if you do not do as you are told. If Andrew or I tell you to do something, you are to do it.’
‘What else have you two decided about me?’
‘Nothing, but we have a long way to go and, quite frankly, I prefer to have Andrew beside me than you. Start to behave yourself, do as you are told, or you will feel my hand on your bum.’
‘You would not dare?’
‘I would and the way Andrew is feeling at the moment, he would hold you down while I did it or else dear sister, actually do it himself,’ he said as he leant forward only inches from her face.
‘Oh, do shut up, Peter!’ Sarah stormed away into the bush. Maybe he had held the soldiers down while they were whipped too.
That night the group did not sleep well, as it was day light at four o’clock. They broke camp early and made their way down to the river. The guides were particularly keen to get on their way. Sarah felt they just wanted to finish the trip and head for home. She remembered both Andrew’s and Peter’s comments about putting her on a boat back home, and maybe the men were right. As the day went on her mood changed from ‘I should go’, to ‘no way are those men telling me what to do.’
The river had risen considerably since Saturday, and the force of the current made it difficult to pack the canoes. Sarah was busy adjusting gear and was concentrating on what she was doing, when there was a shout.
‘Look out!’ Looking up, she saw a large log bearing down on the canoe. She tried to get out of the way, but too late. The log hit the side of the boat. The canoe jolted, causing her to fall backwards hitting her shoulder on the edge and then she fell on to the wooden seat. A sharp needle like pain cut into her skin. Slightly stunned, she felt the hands of Rangi lifting her up. Wincing slightly, she examined her shoulder.
