The Polynesian., 1841-02-13
THE POLYNESIAN.
SATURDAY. FEB. ID, lSil.
o.. -
COMM NICAT T. ID.

A TALE OF HAWAII.

CHAPTER III.
The volcanic mountain to which we allu-
dcd in Chapter l., since known as Mauna
Loa. was in those days in state of terrible
activity, and frequently emitted streams OF
lava which dcsolatcd the surrounding coun-
try for many leagues The present crater
OF Kilauca was not in existence. An extern
sive plain, gradually arising from the ocean
until it attained an elevation of 5000 feet
occupied the space bctwconthe mountain we
have just spoken of, and the one now called
Mauna Kca.
In superficial extent it embraced one half
of the island, and was a drcary wilderness,
with the exception OF a few vcrdant and well
watercd spots, which were scattered like is
lands amid a sea Of hardened lava; streams
OF which, some sill smoking, every where
intorscctcd it, at times spreading out into
wide lakes, with here and there IL stuntcd
tree, or half liiclcss shrub. to diversity the
scene; the whole presenting to the traveller
the repulsivc spectacle of masses of rock,
broken and piled into every nterminabe
shape, as wild and rugged as if the tossed
ocean should become suddenly petrifcd at
the breaking up of fierce storm. Hundreds
Of concal hills few hundred feet in height
formed of volcanic scorip, and which for
mcry gave vent to subtcrrancous fires. were
seen dottng this Wilderness At the base
of the northcrnmost mountain, gradual
accumulation OF ashes and debris had formed
It partial soil, from which scanty vcgeta-
ton sprung up. In a few places beautiful
groves Of acacia and laurel had struggled
into existence with their branches so thickly
inter!accd, that they rcscmbIed the wide
spreading hanan of India A fine green
sward, clear from underbrush lay beneath
their lcaty canopics aifording pleasant en-
campmcnt for the traveller. Storms hung
continually over this region, at times dis
charging torrents OF rain: frequently they
swept down from the mountains side in
whirlwinds, throwing up sand and dust in
dense clouds into the air, and moving with
a rapidity that nothing could resist. Rent
rocks, gaping chasms, and the disordcrcd ap-
pearancc Of the earth, us if she had been too
much hurried in her labors, to attend to her
toilette, showed the frequency of earthquakes
But sterile as was this plain, race OF
men dwclt or rather roancd over it, r|ean-
ING a prccarious subsistence from its scauty
products, and the fish that were abundant ON
its coasts. We call them men. but thew re-
scmb.ed more spirits Of darkness. They
were shor-lmbod, stout people, exceed
ingly active, and capable of enduring great
fatigue: long, grisIy hair, flowed over their
shoulders, answering almost for what wa.
wanting in dress, and setting their small,
cvll-looking features into boldcr relief
They were cannibals, and worshippcrs OF
the goddess Pele, to whom the most sanrui.
nary rites were paid. No mercy was shown
to a prisoner, and previous to our tale they
had been divided into variety of tribes con.
stantly at war with each ether. Amono
their cruel practices, they drank the warn,
life blood of their enemies, and to strike fer.
ror to their opponents often slaughtered their
prisoners taken in the commencement Of q