The encounter between the Maori and the settlers could not end worse. The chieftain is welcoming, and Cat translates as well as the man coming with the expedition, Christopher Fenroy. The magistrate Thompson and Arthur Wakefield, the founder of Nelson, are horrible towards the Maori, and even though Cat and Fenroy try to soften these two men's words, they can't do much when their attitudes are crystal clear. Then a shot sounds, and Te Ronga, Cat's adopted mother, falls dead. After that, there is a great uproar, and Fenroy, Thompson and Wakefield as well as some others are captures whereas others manage to escape. Karl helps Frederick Tuckett, the surveyor, when he is wounded, so after they reach Nelson, the man gives Karl a job.
In the village the Maori men discuss what to do with their prisoners, and they decide to execute them. When Cat hears the verdict, she decides to help Fenroy escape. Thompson and Wakefield are executed in a terrible way, and as Cat admits to having helped Fenroy escape, she is asked to leave the village, and everybody is in agreement. Fenroy, who has been hiding outside the village, meets Cat and tells her that he can help her. It is clear that Cat is attracted to Fenroy, and the feeling is reciprocal. Yet, Fenroy is supposed to marry Jane Beit.
Fenroy finds a job for Cat with the Beits as part of the service. When Jane and Fenroy meet, Jane has no problem to be direct and even rude. Yet, Jane's father wants her to marry him because he comes from a noble family. What Fenroy realises is that Jane is a different kind of woman.
No comments:
Post a Comment