Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-06-09
THE NIUHI.

The doctor and were enioyine much
needed rest in little cottage at Waikiki.
Honolulu's ideal wateriug-place. saws F,
L: Cluke IN the San Franciscisco
Chronicle. strolling along the beach one
day we came across group of native
fishermen repairing a large saffron
colored net one hundred feet long, per-
haps. and ten feet wide.
Take LOOK at that" said the doctor.
who, born and brought up on the islands,
was familiar with the laupuaoe and
habits of the natives. "That Is made
from the fibrous inner bark of III, olona.
small tree growing in damp gulches.
The natives have way of separating the
inner bark from the outer green peIlicle.
and scrape it into long smooth threads
which they twist into thin cords, with
which the net is made. The fiber is as
strong and smooth as silk, and fish-lines
and nets made from it last long time. /"
''lf it is SO strong what has torn it
so?" | asked.
The doctor repeated the question to
the fisherman and then translated.
They say that they were Just outside
the breakers yesterday with the net, and
managed to entangle specimen of the
'Mano Kihikihi' the hammer-headed
shark and he did the damage. 1t seems
that they can't manage one of that spe-
cies of the huge white shark in a net.
They have to use hook to secure such
sea monsters"
After asking a few more questions of
the natives the doctor told me that thew
were going off in few days to try to
capture one of the huge sharks known as
"nluhI," or man-eaters, and that they
had offered to take us flor a considera-
tom if we would promise to sit still in
the canoes.
Its a good chance" he added, ssto
enjoy an experience that not one foreigner
in a thousand meets with. And these
fellows wouldn't offer it now if they did
not believe that the niuhi would scent us
white men, and be all the more ready to
take the bait on the chance of its being
you or |.
Having had some experience in
Sandwich Island canoe, it was not with
out feeling of trepidation that | con-
sented to embark again in one, under
the circumstances. The agreement was
made. however, and we held ourselves in
readiness to start whenever the signal
should be given to do so.
But elaborate preparations had first to
be made by the fishermen for the pro-
Jected trip. They first took the livers
and part of the flesh of some common
sharks they had caught and wrapped
them in the broad, stout leaves Of the
ki-plant. These packages were then
thoroughly baked in rude stone oven
built on the beach and packed in the
sanoes as bait. While this was being
none Two Of tne larger canoes were
dashed together by their "outriggers" so
as to make one double canoe. On the
inierlocked outriggers a platform was
built, and on this were arranged piles of
bait and strong line. With the bait
was slowed two or three bundles of
Java" (the root of the piper methys-
tichum, which, being chewed, is stupe-
flying in its effect. Gourds filed with
fresh water were also provided, and
finally, when the fleet was ready to sail,
an ancient "kahuna" half priest, half
sorcerer) appeared aud examined every
thing critically. 1t was his province,
by his incantations, to prevent the
dreaded Ilan-eater from devouring any
of the fishermen, and so the doctor took
pains to have US specially mentioned in
his inyocations.
A swift, light double canoe was fitted
up for us, and four stalwart psddIers as
signed to the duty of keeping us in the
midst of the sport, and still out Of dam
ger.
Everything being in readiness, two
or three OF the lighter canoes were
launched aud their occupants padded
out to sea to discover some signs of the
wished for man eater, while we were di-
rectcd to be ready to embark at any time.
1t might be day or two before the fish
ermen scouts would come across the
proper indications Of the presence of the
niuhi. That variety Of the shark tribe
comes voluntarily into shallow water,
but must always be sought for mile or
two from land. There he makes havoc
among all other kinds Of fish, and his
presence is indicated by the commotion
among them.
So the doctor and / leisurely dined
that afternoon ON the b-oad ycranda
oyerhanging the ripping sea. and lazily
sauntcred through the grove Of palms
and down hybiscus-s shaded, jasmine
scented paths, bordered by brilliant
Ieafed crotons. watching through thin
clouds Of tobacco the simmer and play
Of light Of the setting sun on the CLEAN
ing surf. Now and then we would
glance up to the sharply-dedped peak Of