The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-10

was beloved by his people and feared by his
enemies. In the course of his life. he fell un-
der the influence of the little god. and became
enamored OF lovely maid of royal parentage.
Their union was celebrated with prolonged and
elaborate festivities and for time the chief
was happy. But death robbed him of what
he held most dear. One day his bride, while
walking under the cliff, was killed by a falling
rock. Lono went crazy with grief over the
mangled remains Of his loved one, and to his
superstitious mind the voice of his bride seemed
To call him over the seas to the spirit world
Assembling his people around him he ad-
dressed them in sad words, saying that he was
about To leave them TO search for his wife be-
yond the waters lie promised them, however,
to come back and rule over them once more.
Bidding them farewell, Lono sailed away,
never to return, but such was his influence
aud tho faith of his people that for years they
looked for his coming. Lono was delhed, aud
the tradition went down through generation
after generation. and the Hawaiians still be-
lieved. So. when Que morning the natives be-
held the white wings of Capt. Cooks vessels
SIX imming the sea, these simple folk thought
that their long-lost Lono was returning to
them from the spirit world.
Cook was received with great ceremony and
rejoicing. The natives knelt To him and wor-
SHIPPED him AS a god. lie was placed on
throne high above the idols. The news of
Lono's arrival spread like wildfre over the
island aud hosts OF natives brought costly gifts
for the supposed god, and his sailors were sup
piled with the best the country afforded. Cook
appears To have allowed and even encouraged
this dclusion in the minds of the savages for
the power and influence it gave him among
them. Ere long the end came. Tho English
sailors. spoiled, took advantage of the favor
with which they were received. created trouble
among tho native women. aud in other ways
annoyed and exasperated the people.
After putting up with this sort of conduct
for some time the savages began To suspect Capt.
Cook. What kind of god, they asked them
selves could he be- that he should allow bis serv-
itors TO abuse he hospitality of his peope2 At
last they doubted his divinity. Secret counsels
were held. and after due doliberation il was
decided TO test his immortality. They argued
that If he were "A god he could not be injured
by mortal weapons, and Il committee of three
was chosen TO make the trial. III he bore the
prick of spear without pain he should 90
free confidence would be restored in him aud
he should be appealed to for protection against
his followers. If he cried out he would be
proved an impostor. and was TO be dispatched
ut once. Now, the natives were very prone To
steal whenever opportunity presented, and
Capt. Cook having missed boat from one of
his vessels, went on shore one morning, accom-
panied by n Lieutenant and several men. to
make complaint To the King about it, and if
possible secure it again. He was approached
by three natives, and suspecting nothing Cook
suffered them to walk with him. They became
separated from his men, and suddenly one of
the savages turned aud stuck him slightly
with his spear. Cook made an exclamation of
pain, when the natives Immediately cried, " He
Is no god Kill him Kill him!" Aud with
that they set upon and murdered him on tho
spot. Immediately the natives swarmed around,
and Cooks Lieutenant aud men, though fighting
| bravey, shared his fate. Too late were boats
put of from the ships. They were not allowed
| to land by the ncensed natives, and were forced
TO retire. Cooks body was carried TO the bluffs
and there burnt on lava altar which still is To
be seen, as an Offering To the god Lono. Seven
days after IA few white bones were gathered up
by the grief-strcken men. taken out to tho
lips and lowered into the sea. Then the yes
sells sailed away and the expedition ended.
Cooks widow and each of his children received
pension. The narrative of his last voyage
was embodied in handsome and elaborate
volume at the expense Of the English Govern
ment and half of the profits bestowed on the
navgator's family.
walked up to the lava altar on which Cooks
body was cremated and looked out over the waste
of waters. The tall shaft cleaned in the setting
sun, which covered the waters with a golden
sheen. Again and again the booming surf
rolled over the stones wherein was split the
blood of the most daring and persistent of navi-
gators, and rushed back toward the mighty
ocean, as if striving to wash away all stain of
this historic tragedy.
J. N. INGRAM.