The Polynesian., 1841-02-20
KHAN A.,
KAMA,
A TALE OF HAWAII
TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS SINCE.
Conimucd from page l39.
CHAPTER \.

We must now return to where we IcIt al
viYcz. The attack had been so promptly re-
pclcd that with the exception OF the capture
of H. lana and Julia, the enemy had little rea-
son to boast of their success. On the sue
cccding morning all was hustle and prepafa-
ton; runners were despatched over the couh-
try to assemble the warriors, at the head OF
whom Alyircz determined to march at once
into Pomalc's territories, and if too late to
rescue the prisoners, deeply to avcngc their
late. Although his fears led him to picture
to himself the most horrible of deaths us their
lot, yet he gave way to no vain grief, but
formed all his plans with prudence, and pre-
pared to execute them with vigor and promp-
ttudc.
The news of the loss of their beloved chief
had spread like wiIdtire, and the warriors
needed no second summons, to induce them
to join the standard Of Alyircz, who selected
from their number fifteen hundred OF the
most able and valiant to accompany hun on
the expedition Losing no time, he MARSHALL
ed them in order for battle, and Immediately
set forward amid the applandIng shouts OF
the multitude, and the favorable prognostl-
cations of the pri, SITS. AS they wound in
long and regular files around the hills that
skiltcd the town. they made a gallant show;
and the wild notes OF their music revcrberat-
ing among the rocks, broke upon the ear of
the listener with IL startling effect. Each
petty chief headed his own retancrs, forming
a separate company, bearing an appropriate
banner, and the flags or tokens of their pro-
tcc,ing deity. But the pride of the array
was the body guard of kiana, composed Of
the noblcst and most warlike of the youth of
the nation to the number of two hundred
They wore Grccian shaped helmets, wrought
externally with small yellow feathers, and
crowned by graceful crcsts of like color,
which gave them highly martial appear
ance. Cloals, covered with the same mate
rial, upon frame Of fine network, tringcd
with red feathers, hung gracefully from their
shoulders, and in the bright sunlight shone
like garments of gold; their arms were beau
tifully polished, and the handles of their
weapons covered with a resnous gum made
from the brcad-fruit, that they might adhere
more firmly to the bearers grasp. When
in battle they formed "A compact body with
spears presented, not unlike the ancient pha-
lanx, and completely invunerabe to the de-
sultory attacks OF their rudcr foe. Their ST.
perior discipline and equipments 1t must be
allowed, were mainly owing to the nstruc-
tons of their leader Alvircz, who having
served for time in the wars of his native
land, now found full scope for his profess
sinnal requirements among his adopted coun-
trymen.
But we will dwell no longer upon the details
Of their march. On the evening of the same
day that Pomalc arrived at his fortress, thew
encamped in hollow, but few miles dis
tant, having advanced thus far undiscovered
owing to the surrounding country having
been deserted by the inhabitants, who had
flocked to the temple to be present at the
coming festival, The multitude there as
scmblod, grew impatient towards the close
of day, for the commencement of those rites
which were to be to them the signal of I'M
bounded license; and also thirsting for blood
compelled the priests, long before the ap-