204

THE RANK AND POSITION OF KAAHUMANU.

What an ornament to her nation might this noble woman have become had she from her childhood been trained in the Christian religion, or had she been indulged with some years more of thorough instruction in the most useful knowledge, attended with the divine blessing!

As the company entered the boat and shoved off, the people thronged the shore and uttered their affecting response. Their loud weeping and parting salutations mingled with the roaring of the cannon on the walls of the fort, while the voyagers spread the sails of their ship and took their departure. Their persons were soon beyond our ken, and the hull and sails and masts soon disappeared behind the rolling billows.

There should have been some good and important object to justify such a movement, and it should have been so far declared, that the nation might have had the satisfaction of acquiescing intelligently. It was, perhaps, one indispensable link in the chain by which the true interests of the nation were to be secured, though he may not have meant so. The sinking of the masts of their king's ship and his departure were, to the minds of some of the people, like the letting him down in a coffin into the grave. Doubtless the hand of Providence was, in this event, moving in mercy to the people for their salvation; for how far soever it might have been from the calculations of the adventurous monarch, it opened the way for the introduction of a policy far better than he had pursued.

Kaahumanu, alluding to this movement in addressing the chiefs and people assembled at Kailua, some two years later, and affirming what I never heard contradicted by any Hawaiian, friend or foe, though conceited, interested, and ill-designing men, of foreign blood, have attempted to give a different view of her standing, said: "My husband, the departed, was correct according to the former system. The country remains. Men depart. My husband diligently sought the true policy. He left me the charge over his son. We took charge, but he would not hear. He forsook his father's policy, and went to Britain to seek a hakuaina, a landlord. He fled from me and forsook me. You and I abode by the ancient policy till he departed. This is Kaahumanu who speaks. Make good your heart, and obey the Word of our Lord."

On board the same vessel, the Frenchman, J. Rives, took a secret passage, a small circumstance by itself, but connected with greater events yet to be noticed-events of unhappy consequence to the Hawaiian nation, and to individuals of other nations, French, English, and American.

The ship passed round Cape Horn, and put in at Rio Janeiro for repairs and refreshments. The king and his suite there received respectful attention from the British consul-general and the constituted authorities, and passed on for England, where we

GOVERNORSHIP OF MAUI-DISPERSION OF THE CHIEFS. 205

leave them, for the present, to notice what immediately followed at home.

The departure of the king, and the opportunity thus afforded Kaahumanu as superior, and Kalanimoku as second, to hold the reins of government, formed a new epoch in the affairs of the nation. Many of the chiefs, from different parts of the islands, being assembled at Honolulu, on the occasion of the departure of the king and queen and Gov. Boki, not perturbed or disconcerted, but rather feeling more at liberty to breathe easily, remained together a few days. No disorders appeared to arise in consequence of so singular and material a movement. On the other hand, Kaahumanu, and Kalanimoku who took charge of affairs at Oahu, and in general acted as the right hand man of the queen, with the co-operation of Keeaumoku, Adams, Kaikioewa, Hoapili, Kekauluohi, Kapiolani, and Naihe, made special efforts for forwarding the cause of schools, and the observance of the Christian Sabbath, and a general attention to missionary instruction. Some were, however, disposed to suspend their opinion on the subject of religion till they should hear a full report, through the voyagers, from England-the land of Christianity and Christian rulers. They were not yet willing to take up any heavy cross, or deny themselves much for the good of others, or for the glory of God.

Keoua, the acting governor of Maui, who had been some time instructed and was favorably disposed, died at Honolulu on the day of the king's departure, and was interred the following day. Wahinepio, a woman of stern heathen character, the sister of Kalanimoku and Boki, and cousin of Kaahumanu, succeeded him for a time. But Kaahumanu eventually appointed Hoapili, her brother-in-law, to that office, which he sustained with dignity till the general triumph of Christianity in the islands.

At the breaking up of the consultation, five days after the king's departure, the chiefs, who had come to Honolulu from other islands, repaired with their retinues to their several homes or posts of duty. Embarking on board eight brigs and schooners, mostly owned by them and under native commanders, leaving the harbor in regular and quick succession, and spreading all their white sails to the six knot N.E. trades, and stretching over Waikiki Bay, in full sight from the mission houses, they gave us a beautiful and striking illustration of their advancement in navigation, and of the facility, safety, and comfort, with which they could pass from island to island, for pleasure or business, instead of depending on their frail canoes. This peaceful and apparently commercial scene, not only showed their ability to make progress towards a state of civilization, but was symbolical of the liberty and facility now expected to be extended to those who desired it, to acquire the knowledge of letters and of salvation, and to practise the duties and enjoy the privileges of the Gospel.

CHAPTER IX.

FIFTH YEAR OF THE MISSION, AND FIRST OF KAAHUMANU.-1824. Introduction of the gospel at Hilo and Puna-Naihe and Kapiolani's house of worship-New station at Kealakekua Bay-Reform meeting at Honolulu-Kaahumanu a pupil at school examination-Schools a substitute for heathen sports Parting with Kaumualii-Description of Waimea, his home-Hanapepe-Hoolua-Attempt to recover the C. Barge-Death of Kaumualii-Burning and rebuilding a church-Rebuke of a prophetess-Appointment of Kahalia-Insurrection-Victory-Kaahumanu's fast and visit to Kauai-Letters from Kalanimoku-Kaikioe wa made governor-Return of the warriors.

It was now time to occupy a new post on the largest island of the group. The wide and open field in the eastern part of Hawaii having been carefully explored by the missionaries, and found to present peculiar claims, the mission took a station there in the early part of 1824. To accomplish this at some sacrifice, Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles, freely leaving Kauai, where they had happily labored three years, and Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich, of the reinforcement, were associated and employed to commence the new station at Waiakea, central for the large districts of Hilo and Puna, which extend along the seaboard about eighty miles. They embarked from Honolulu about the middle of January, on board the schooner Waterwitch, a vessel of thirty tons, owned by J. Hunnewell, Esq., who kindly volunteered to accompany them, and navigate the vessel for them. They were accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. Blatchley, for a temporary stay, by Messrs. Ellis and Chamberlain, on a missionary excursion, and Mr. and Mrs. Ely, bound to Kona. The little schooner, deep, full, and overflowing, accomplished the passage to Hilo in ten days, being nine days at sea. On their way, they touched and spent the Sabbath at Lahaina, where Mr. Ellis preached to a great concourse, and were encouraged by decisive evidence of progress. This company of thirteen arriving a little after midnight at this new station, and needing hospitality such as none in the place but the mission family could give, and several of these being at this time ill, put to the test the kindness and tact of Mrs. Stewart, who gave them a cordial reception, and as she was wont, cheerfully contributed to the comfort of her guests and fellow-laborers.

They had, while here, a striking view of the majestic Maunakea, distant about 120 miles, whose icy and snowy summit glittered in the morning sunbeams, beckoning them onward to the station beyond its south-eastern base. Refreshed by the hospi

TAKING A NEW STATION AT HILO.

207

talities of this new station, they re-embarked on Monday morning, and beat out between Maui and Molokai, and during the week were favored with moderate trade winds, whereas, had they been met with such a gale as often blows there, at that season, they would probably have been forced back and had their decks swept. The morning and evening sacrifice was daily offered on board, and the spirit of accommodation strove to make all comfortable. Still, there were some privations, as the commander and some of the passengers were not below deck during the nine days and nights at sea. Passing to the eastward of Maui, and along the north-east part of Hawaii, they anchored in Hilo bay about sun-set, and landed before dark with a few necessary articles. They at once prepared their lodging in a large thatched building, seventy feet by thirty, designed as a shelter for canoes, timber, and other articles, and, by order of the chiefs at Oahu, appropriated to their use. It was without floor, partitions, or windows; and though the canoes were removed, a large pile of long timber still occupied the central part of the building, near the rude posts that supported the ridge-pole. Ushered into this new missionary mansion, Saturday night, they were allowed, without annoyance or assistance from the stupid inhabitants, to Cake care of themselves as well as they could. With a little salt pork, ship bread, and tea from the vessel, kalo and potatoes, and a single fowl procured of the natives on shore, a supper was soon prepared for the company of seventeen. The cooking was performed at a little fire kindled on the ground between the pile of timber on one side, and midway between the two extremes of the house. Around this Mrs. Ruggles and her native domestics, moving in the light of the fire and a taper,-a light insufficient to dispel the darkness from the immense building,-—reminded the spectator at the wide entrance, of the tales of earlier times. On the other side, the rest of the company engaged in bringing in and putting up bedsteads, and cloth or mat partitions for their sleeping apartments. For their missionary table, two long, rough boards were brought from the vessel and put up, one end resting on the central pile of timber, and the other on boxes. Around this, when spread with their frugal fare, the company, with sharpened appetite after the abstemiousness and privations attending their voyage, cheerfully gathered, and with a peculiar zest, enjoyed their evening repast, reserving a portion for breakfast.

The next day, the duties of preaching and public worship engaged their attention. To favor this, Kaahumanu had offered the use of another building of similar structure. It was well filled by the people and missionary company, to whom Mr. Ellis preached. In the midst of the service, a large pet hog, black and fat, asserting equal or superior right to occupancy, marched in, swinging her head armed with huge tusks. The native crowd, not daring to resist her, gave way, forcing the preacher and his friends from their position. The murmurs of surprise

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SWINISH HAWAIIAN FAVORITES.

and apprehension among the natives rose to boisterous shouting, and the congregation, retreating through the great doors at each end, left the hall of audience to the persecuting beast, whose rights were regarded, by high and low, as superior to those of the people, having been tabued, and often fed from the mouth of a native. Her feeder, more bold or skilful than the rest, approached the animal, and by repeated, gentle passes of the fingers on her bristly back, composed her to a sort of mesmeric sleep, more easily than leviathan is tamed. The congregation then resumed their places, and the preacher was allowed to finish his discourse. This hog was a tabu pet of Queen Kaahumanu, and bore her

name.

Hawaiian females were not fastidious, in those days, in the choice of pets. The missionaries who visited Kapapala in Kau the year before, give an amusing anecdote of a curly-tailed favorite sleeping with two sisters in the neighborhood of the volcano.

The schooner, on Monday, discharged the residue of the baggage of the two families, and of Dr. and Mrs. Blatcheley, who were to stay a few weeks; and soon proceeded round to Kailua, where Mr. and Mrs. Ely were disembarked, to enter on the work in Kona. The rest returned to Honolulu.

The laborers at Hilo commenced the work under some discouragements, if the ignorance, stupidity, and vices of the people, of all classes, might be regarded as circumstances of discouragement. But were it not for wickedness, stupidity, ignorance, or superstition, for what purpose would foreign missionaries need to go among them? Though our mission had now been in the islands nearly four years, yet some of the people of Puna and Hilo were as much afraid of the palapala, as they had been of Pele. Some retained their superstitious regard to the volcanic deities. Some, in their self-complacency, questioned or doubted whether any benefit equal to the trouble, could be obtained by attention

"Here," say the exploring missionaries, "we observed a species of favorite that we had not seen before. It was a curly-tailed hog, about a year and a half old, three or four feet long, and in tolerable order. He belonged to two sisters of our host, and joined the social circle around the evening hearth. The hog was lying by the side of them when we arrived. During the whole of the evening he closely followed every movement they made, and at supper put forth his nose and received his portion at their hands. According to custom, they washed their hands after their meal, and then passed the bowl to the hog. At the usual time for retiring to rest, these two ladies spread their mats and kapas on the ground in one corner, and, as is the usual practice, lay down to sleep with their clothes on. The hog waited very quietly till they had taken their places, when he marched over their kapas, and stretched himself along between them. The large kapa that covered them all was then drawn up by one of them to his ears, after which she reclined her head on a pillow by his side. Till this time we had maintained our gravity, but happening to look that way, and seeing the three heads all in a row, and the pig's black ears standing up in the middle, we involuntarily burst into a laugh. This disconcerted them a little. The hog lifted up his nose and grunted; and the host inquired the reason of our laughter. We told him the occasion of it. He said his sisters had a great attachment for the hog, having fed it from the hand ever since it was a few days old, and did not like to have it sleep with the other hogs out in the cold; adding, that if it were to be put out, it would make such a noise all night at the door, that no one in the house would be able to sleep."-Tour round Hawaii.