There he agreed to become Rauparaha's instrument to carry out one of the most diabolical acts of vengeance in even Maori annals.

The appearance of Stewart, ripe for any villainy, gave the Kapiti chief the chance he was waiting for.

For thirty tons of flax the _Elizabeth_ was hired to take Rauparaha and a war-party, not to Kaiapoi, but to Akaroa, a beautiful harbour amongst the hills of the peninsula called after Sir Joseph Banks.

It lay many miles away from Kaiapoi, but was inhabited by natives of the same tribe.

There, moreover, was living Tamai-hara-nui (Son-of-much-evil), best-born and most revered chief in all the South Island.