The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-05-27
CHAPTER Y

NAAah IL
Combat Of LaSsamana with spearmen-Reseu l.,
the Princess Umba.
Laksamana was a willing scholar when IN,
Princess Umba commanded bis attention. Wher
alone with the learned Guru he seemed dull snc
stupid, and did not want - learn. But wher
the Princess appeared his attention vas aroused
and he was eager to learn what she taught.
After some months Lak-amana could talk in
the language spoken at the Palace Of Sansuma
lie learned al-O % write-after the manner Of tbs
ancient Malays. Paper was not known at tina,
time To the people Of Mia. or 10 any Of the people
or the Malay Islands. They wrote on tie leaf Of
q PALM called the LoHfar. or they wrote
ON pieces OF smOoth bamboo. And they
had no pens or INK, but wrote with a sharp
pointed instrument-and scratched certain angu-
lGT-shaped characters upon the smooth surface Of
the lOntaT or the bamboo.
Laksamana became skillul in engra ing MALAY
characters upon pieces of bamboo. lie progressed
rapidly in acquiring knowledge, and, alter "a
year, he began TO study the laws Ol Mia, and
learned the regulations of the Court of Sansuma.
lie also became familiar with the organization
and discipline Of the army OF MIA. Ii was Umba
who prompted him To acquire all the knowledge
proper for a great chief to know.
Laksamlna had long ceased 10 be spoken OF as
4 Wild man. lie was quiet and dignihed in bIs
manners. And all the people Of the Palace Of
King SapidIn feared him-all bat the Princess
Umba. who knew that thiz man. 80 terrible TO
all Others, WIS simple and playful like a child in
her presence. Every day she liked him better
and better. She saw tlat he was endowed by
Nature not only with strength, but also with
great courage and wisdom. She had taken 50
much care Of him, % assist in his training and
education, and had ielt - much interest in his
behalf, that he seemed to her like a brother,
bound by peculiar ties.
Now, many Of the young chiefs Of Ma were
very jealous OF Laksamana. They desired his
death. because they feared that some day the
Princess Umba would give her love TO Laksamana,
and not marry u chief Of Mia, who should succeed
King SIpidin on the throne. They often designed
IN their minds SINE means 10 injure him and.
ut q time of great festivIty, they organized some
games for the display of strength. at which they
planned for LAksaman TO meet with accident, and
perhaps be SLAIN.
On the great occasion. King Sapidin and the
Princess Umba sat together under a rich canopy
Of yellow silk, lTinged with strings OF pearls.
All the ladies and chiefs OF the Court were
grouped around tire royal father and daughter.
and many thousands OF people were assembled
under an immense circular pavilion, or tent-to
witness displays OF strength or agility.
Those who took part in the games were stripped
OF their robes, and only wore a breech cloth, like
the Hawaiian DaLO.
First. some famous runners appeared, who
made swift courses round the stadium within the
paVIlI n. After them came w~restlers, who
struggled upon the sands strewn upon the ground.
Next were leapers, who sprang over bars as high
a. a mans head. Now the people became ex-
cited and wanted n more dangerous kind of play,
and cried out for the spearmen- A band Of stout
warriors came forward in two lines, or files
each man with a spear in bis right hand, and a
round brass shield ON his left arm. The spears
had blunt ends, and, when hurled by the men,
we're received by the opposing party on their
shields with n great CHATTER Of sound. But this
kind Of game did not seem to have enough of
danger to satisfy the people, for they cried for
sharp-pointed spears. and for brave men who
AuraH -. 81 aIraTr I'LL. ODD fhaIr hInn6 A.
King SaPidIn was anxious 10 Please the people,
he ordered n band Of the most expert spearmen
TO bring forward long spears eight feet in length,
with n heavy IRON head and sharp steel point.
Only five ON each side stood up to fight with
these heavy. dangerous spears. And now there
arose a cry among the young chiefs calling out
the nam of Laksamana. They said +" Where
is tile mighty Wild man-the iavOrlte OF the
Palace, who is only ft for women to teach him
to read and write he cannot throw a spear, and
would fear TO stand heiOre one hurled az him"
LaksamHnI heard and understood all these
haunting words but he dad not reply, or move.
He watched The cUuntenance of his beloved mis-
tTess the Princess Umba. For a while she paid
no heed 10 the taunts of the young chiefs but.
as they continued their cries, and had aroused
the attention Of the people. she looked at Laksa-
mana, and pointed 10 the arena where the spear
men stood in array. Instantly Laksamana spTang
forward into the centre Of the arena. and called
for a spear. HIS appearance called forth a shout
oil admiration from the court auQ people. lie |
leaped with the ease and power OF n lion and,
as ne stood up with a proud, erect head and
flashing eyes, the people said he looked like n
god. lie was offered a shield for his left arm
but he east 10 away, and stood with only spear IN
hand, and bade the opposing speaTmen hurl their
weapons at him one. two, three spears came
past h- body. he s%pringing aside
or lending Of the weapon hurled With
the one he had Ia his hand. STILL more spears
were hurled, but he Tended them OF caught them
in hand with the ease OF n skilled gladiator
After a time Kin. Sapidin cried out TO the spear
men to stand on defence. and LEI Laksamana hurl
spears at them. Tie speaTmen we're ten IN
and ten spears were placed at .aksa-
mana's feet. One by one he threw the spears,
and they were all received by the warriors ON
their shields and the young chiefs raised u laugh,
and said that L~aksamana was only fit for boys
play, and to make music on the brass discs with
his spear-pOints. They wanted to provoke him
10 wound n man, that would excite the Jury OF
all the spearmen, and he would be killed IN n
sudden onset.
Laksamana now poised a long, heavy iron
headed spear in his hand, and babe n warrior
stand away from him ten PAGES He held the
deadly lance uplifted in hs right hand.
lie held il easily poised. yet firmly grasped. lie
swung il to and fro, and, with n shout and n
spring. be hurled the weapon like n thunderbOlt.
IL struck the shield, and the point bursting
the coverings Of brass, pierced the man
in the Left side to the heart. 90 that he dropped
down dead.
Now. there arose u fierce shout of rage from
the spenrmen. as they all rushed upon Lrksamana
with their spears pointed at his breast. lie
struck down the men One by one with savage
fury A. they charged upon him and several
OF the young chiefs and warriors, who hated
Lakzamana, rushed into the arena with an out
CRY, striving 10 overthrow him, and crush hun
with the number Of assaIants. In the midst OF
the terrific msIe, as the mighty man with SUPER
human strength, with a broken spear welded a.
a club, struck down his foes as they advanced,
the lovely Princess Umha sprang from the royal
seat near her father, and, lifting up her beautiful
arms among the combatants, sought to protect
Laksamana from the multitude OF his enemies
Az the SIGHT Of the Princess coming to his rescne,
I.L.nrnnnn hama ferrifc- ike a lion am1ng