Cotterell removed his hat and wiped his brow as a labourer came up the hill running towards him, breathing hard and clearly out of breath.

"They be comin, they're comin!" yelled the young man as he pulled up panting.

"Who is coming?" growled Cotterell.

"Māori, sir. A whole lot of 'em, over there in the bay, in canoes!" He waved his arm to point in the distance.

Shading his eyes, Cotterell scanned the area. Just as the young labourer stated, there were a number of ...