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Show - 136 - escaped with his life." "Ka kino, how terrible!" cried Roa. "Can this be true?" "I am enraged because it is an insult against me, Turi, chief of this tribe. These Pakehas were travelling with my blessing and under mv promise of peace and safety. These three drunken cowards," he exclaimed, pointing at three bound men huddled in the corner, "have defied me and made me to be a liar. They have made a mockery of my truth. But they shall nay dearly for their treachery!" A murmur spread through those assembled. When Roa recovered slightly from the shock, he asked, "What do you nlan to do, mv father?" "First these three lowly cowards must be executed." His voice thundered the x«xords. There was not a murmur, not a sound from anyone. The stillness could be felt like a living essence among them. Roa looked numbly about him at the where taka or whare runanga, which was what the large meeting house was called. His eves wandered vaguely over the red, black and white designs of the ceiling, symbols telling traditions and folklore of the tribe. He dwelled upon the carved figures of Kuoe |