'We shall soon find out whether he has told the truth,' said George gravely. 'We must leave him here, of course—and you two must also be content to wait here a little longer.'
Paeroa stood up shakily, endeavouring to throw out his chest. 'Hope is a good medicine,' he said bravely. 'By the time Hortoni needs my arm it will be strong enough to strike a blow for him.'
As he spoke, Kawainga uttered a weak, wailing cry. George and Terence wheeled, but Paeroa, his hollow eyes gleaming, staggered past them, and hurled his wasted body full atop of Sounding Sea.
Unperceived by the men, the villain had wormed his way close to Kawainga, intending to finish her with one stroke of his club; but the girl's scream spoiled the murderous ruffian's scheme.
Sounding Sea, never a strong man, had grown weak and flabby in consequence of his idle, dissolute life; but, nevertheless, Paeroa had his work cut out for him, and the Englishmen, though anxious to let him have the credit of saving his sweetheart's life, were prepared to interfere should the contest go against him. They thought, of course, that Paeroa meant simply to secure the fellow, and hold him while they adjusted the slipped ropes.
But Paeroa had no such intention. Wrought up to a pitch of fury at the recollection of his wrongs at this coward's hands, and mad with rage at the attempt upon the life of his betrothed, his strength was unnatural. For one instant he came uppermost in the struggle; but it was enough. Glaring wildly about him, he saw and scooped the wooden club from the ground, and, without waiting to fasten his grip upon the handle, brought the triangular edge smashing down upon the upturned face of Sounding Sea. The force of the blow spent itself upon the temple, and with a deep groan the Hau-hau fell back, killed outright by that terrible stroke.
'Ha!' Paeroa gasped, floundering to his feet and shaking the bloodstained club. 'Ha! I have slain a taipo. The strength of ATUA was in me.' Then he lurched forward like a drunken man, and crashed down at Kawainga's feet.
Horrified, George and Terence gazed at the swift, awful scene. It is no light matter to see a man slain before your eyes. Moved by a common impulse, they reverently lifted the dead man and carried him to one side, while Kawainga fussed and crooned over Paeroa.
'If any one is aware of his visits here, and knows that he was employed to watch us——' began George; but Terence struck in:
'We are armed now, and with revolvers, not to speak of your greenstone club. By the way, why didn't you bring it with you?'