Page:Emeraldhoursinne00lowtiala.djvu/81

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River with a bridge, surrounded by bush with hills in the background

Photo by Govt. Tourist Dept.

Chapter VIII.


ORAKEI-KORAKO AND ATIA-MURI.

The conquering clouds are round the moon
In dark assailing hosts that press
Near and more near; . . . . .”

Of course we were caught in the rain. It came down in torrents only a little while after we started, came with a rush and a swish; and a cold cutting wind that was like a cynical smile at misfortune came with it. And as we had neither mackintoshes nor overcoats, and only sunshades of tussore silk lined with green to take the place of umbrellas, we would all have fared badly but for some rugs the driver had with him. He foraged these out and we wrapped ourselves in them, bent our heads to the “cauld blast” and prayed for the sun.

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