The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-04-02

and seated themselves on the mat-covered floor
The men had removed their coats and shirts ; and
had put a skirt, covering their bodies from the
waist downwards. They had also fastened long
blades of the ii plant to their waists, hanging
downwards. and producing the effect Of leafy
overskIrt The women had tied their holokus, or
loose gowns tightly around their waists with
braids of maile, and had added the overskirt
of ii leaves. Both men and women had
wreaths of maiIe and jessamine twined around
their necks and on their heads, and each one held
in the right hand small and curiousy tattoed
gourd by the neck, inside of which were some
small pebbles, which produced a rattling sound as
they swayed their arms and bodies in the various
postures of the hula. One of the men recited in
a monotone an invocation to Uli, the mysterious
god Of gods, and providence to the Hawaiian
mind, who was called upon to prosper the hocks
of Lono, and his patron Of Iviole, to strengthen
his loins and magnify his prowess among men
and women.
As this was explained to Louis by LOno and
the niece, be remarked with look of astonish-
ment IS Why this is a song of pagans - s'Yes,
true; replied Lono in imperfect English ;
''Hawaiian man in church, be all same haole
(foreigner), and talk plenty Bible and God; but
when he hula (dauce) and when he mele (sings) /,
in house. be all old Hawaii
And then Louis reflected that all the poetry of
Christian Europe down to the latest times was
blended with the mythology Of ancient paganism.
The monologue OF the chanter, was accom-
panied by an occasional chorus or refrain of the
hula group, who at the same time, waved their
arms about. swinging and rattling their hula
goards, and twisting and gyrating their bodies
with great vehemence.
The ii beer had been frequently passed
around, and its rich pungent quality began to
heat the blood and brighten the eyes. Louis
who had partaken Of some. and found it very
palatable. felt warm and aroused.
And now the chanter recited the beauties Of
- Kaiksmahine ui,' Ia beautiful maiden); and
all faces turned smilingly towards Kalili; then
be spoke Of a 80 haOle OpiO makau ole," Ga brave
young foreigner); and as he blended the names ST
Luika Louis and Kalili,) the company burst
forth into roars Of laughter. Louis having
requested an explanation, was assured by Uncle
LOno, that it was something good about him and
his niece.
And now the feryor Of the performance grew
apace. The hula group all chanted together and
swung their arms and gyrated their bodies with
great abandon. Enthusiastic lockers on, cried
out, a. maoli" (real, genuine, old style), and
flung down money, and other gifts to the per-
formers. The continued flow Of the beer reused
bacehanal fury, and all the license Of an orgy,
and the words and actions of the hula performers
called forth yells Of applause.
Lsuis who began to be shocked with some un-
restrained freedoms of illustration, looked with
some feeling OF pain and uneasiness at his
rather pretty and graceful companion, whose
charms Of person were enhanced by the rude
uncultured surroundings; and he felt what he
conceived to be purely protecting regard, as he
said to her g Do you like to stay here, and see
more of this !"
She looking up, smiling tenderly, and Offering
her hand to him, said - | will go with you
wherever you wish 10
As they withdrew from the company, their
departure was followed by some loud excama-
tions from the hula performers, which called
forth shouts and screams OF uproarious mirth.
" They are very naughty" said Kalili, " and
think that you and L are also
This remark panied and disturbed her COM
panion, yet assuming protecting care of her,
he drew her arm within his, and hurried away.
They approached large grove of pandanus,
covering more than acre in extent. The
dergrowth and dry serrated blades OF the screw
palm had been cleared away. The dome Of
foliage overhead was compact, completing shut
ting out the sun. The clear spiral stems under
meath were like fantastic columns of vast
dant roof. Aisles and alley-ways intertwined
like labyrinth in and between these support
ing columns And the long running kowali
(conyoloulus), clambering about the stems. and
umbrageous tops of the grove, draped the
ouivering green blades of the pandanus, with its
indented palmate foliage, and dropped down from
the dome festoons of delicate purple and azure
blossoms, which though usually only radiant in
the morning, yet bloomed and sparkled at this
MONDAY hour in the tender shade of this retreat
fitted to satisfy poets eye, and a sybarites
heart Some birds from the dense wooded ravines
near by; among these the sweet warbling apapani,
(promeropes), , now caroled a pure sweet song,
that presented to the ears of the two strollers,
striking contrast, to the coarse obstreperous re-
trains from which they had just turned away.
The young people moved slowly along the
pathways of this retreat made, Louis felt,
for peace and pure contemplation alone. He
had gently disengaged her arm but as a soft,
slender, taper-fngered hand touched his, he
mad a1sn ruhI
mained in his; and the tender eyes of Kalili
gazed fOndly into the face of her companion.
Louis was full Of admOnitiOn and chivaric
regard for what he regarded unprotected,
unadyised girl of some culture by his side.
VIII you stay long at lviole ? - he en-
quired.
My uncle will take me back to town in about
two months - she replied
- But you will unlearn among the rough
people OF the ranch, all the nice things you
learned from the good ladies Of Rekoa Seminary
All, but you will be here to teach me
better" and as Kalii spoke, she leaned her
pretty ringletted head against his shoulder
They had now come near some low-lying re-
eumbent stems OF pandanus, intertwined with
/ iollage and blossoms Of convolvulus. which
| offered convenient and inviting seat and with
/ out word both had sank down 10 a rest still
hand in hand; and as her head again sought his
shoulder, he placed one arm around her waist.
Louis now spoke in an aroused and firm tone
Ike parent giving last advice to a tender
child going upon long journey alone NY
dear halilI l cannot be with you to advise you,
have work to attend to; and besides I have
great love for dear girl in far off land, whom
can never forget
- And then, by and by said Kalili, with
tremulous lips, you will go away from here.
and never care for me any more" And as she
ceased speaking, she dropped her head and
began to sob.
Louis putting hand gently under her chin,
and raising up her face to look at him, said
a. Come, listen to me and let me explain" But
she now flung her arms around his neck, pressing
ber face against his bosom /; and he, yielding to
a transport of passion, clasped her in return and
kissed her tenderly. He bad forgotten all the
past; and blind overmastering feeling had now
overcome him ; and she yielding to his
ardent caresses when both were startled by the
bark of dog near by.
They turned to look saw the familiar sheer