The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1896-02-14

caravan of pack-mules was seen coming
down the road from the mountain. They
were loaded with bags of rice. 1t is aston
ishing the amount of rice these hardy little
creatures will carry up steep mountain sizes,
or along a shelving rock, where single
false step would precipitate them to the
sharp rocks hundreds of feet below, These
caravans of pack-m mules were under the con-
troll of two Cinnamon, one before and one
behind. The caravans usually contain eight
or twelve pack mules, all tied together; the
Chnaman in front leading the first mule,
and Chnaman in the rear flashing the lag
CARDS. s.
Flowers in wild prOfusion bloomed along
the way; nature has done for this mountain
road what the most skilful gardner might
envy. Just below the reservoir we came
upon some native women washing. 1helr
method was peculiar; the water was IN
sort of stone basin. and they were kneellng
with their bare knees on the stony earth,
dipping the clothing into the water and
rubbing it on a stone.
The reservoir which supplies Honolulu
with water is fed by the mountain streams,
of which there are many. A large board IS
placed up near the the reservoir, on which
Is the order OF the Minister of the Interior,
in both English and Hawaiian, warning
people to neither fish, wash or battle In the
waters above that point.
Crossing the bridge over the reservoir
from a short distance, we found the ascent
less steep. Wild guavat trees grew In apuna-
ance along the road, some having ripe frult
on them which we ate and found delicious
The famous guaya iellieS are made OF this
fruit.
One of the most picturesque and novel
sights on the road was Chlnaman moving
He had his shoulder pole on his shoulder,
on one end of which was his yalise, together
with his household and kitchen furniture
IN, fl, otb
ing of chickens in large gunny sack, holes
being cut in the bag for the chickens to put
their heads through. This LITTLE fellow had
come over the Pail and was going to Homo
lulu, carrying all his earthly posses lions on
that pole.
ats nothing for them to carry two hun
bred pounds twelve or fifteen miles," SAD
nv guide. "They are tougher than mules"
we crossed some of the plains made IA
nous by the great battles fought by Kane
hameha the Great, and, reaching plateau,
halted at the halfway house TO get a drink
of water and allow our horses drink and
rest r.,rr 20
Half a mile or more beyond we met
Japanese family of wanderers. The father
of the family was carrying pole on his
shoulder with the household goods on each
end, and the mother who had taken OFT
those silly, short wooden sandals and was
going barefoot, had baby dashed to her
X,
the sight of us, the mothers womanly pride
asserted itself and she stopped and put ON
her ridiculOuSly small sandals, and came on
limpng like cripple.
During the entire journey we did not
meet a single white person. Wandering
Chinese and Japanese without any home,
or going to the markets were the only per
sons, save the natives, living along the road
side.
At last the Pail was reached The path
winds along the pass between two noun
tains through which the wind sweeps down
with such terrific force as to sometimes al
most take one from his feet. The view from
the Pail is sublime. On one side may be
seen the sea, with Honolulu looking like
speck in the distance; on the other are the
and houses looking also like
mere specks in the dim distance, with the
dark blue sea for background. Gigantic,
grim and silent as the sphinx, stands the
frowning cliffs on the right and on the left
a sharp cone like ridge extends so far away
that it is lost in the distance. while the only
possible place of crossing the island IS at the
Pail.
One cannot but admire the military gen.
ius of Kamehameha in securing this pass.
the last Oahuan chief. Here was fought
the great battle which made Kamehameha,
the Hawaiian Napoleon, master of all the
Before the battle, kamehameha. with
fleet of war canoes and one schooner and
some artillery, appeared of Oahu and land |
ed at Waial8 Bay, and, after few days |
spent in arranging his men, he marched at
Nunana Valley, where Kalanikupule had
posted his forces.
Kamehameha had good general in an
American named John Young, whose de-
may still be found on the islands.
There were several Americans in his army, |
and their skill with artillery gained Kane
hameha his victories. He encountered the |
enemy at Laimi and Puiwa, where the Oahu
troops made a brave resistance until Kalana
their leader was killed by cannon ball, |
when they gave way. They were closely |
pursued up the valley, some escaping up |
the ridges on either side, while others were
hemmed in and driven over the Nuuanu
Pail, or precipice north of the road, and |
dashed to death on the rocks. Their bones
may still be found among the bare Jungles
Dr. algerOba forest one thousand feet below.
Kalanikupule wandered for several months
m the KOOlau Mountains until he was finally |
captured in a cave above Waipio, brought
town and offered in sacrifice to the con-
luerors' war god at MOanahua.
The Pail looks like the gate between two
airy lands. 1t is pass that could be made
A few hundred men could
lold an army of thousands at bay. On the
east side opposite Honolulu the descent is
very steep and rocky. Two or three hun
lred feet below the top spring gushes out
rom the rocks, falls into pocket very in
,iting to the thirsty traveller. The road is
reversed almost continually by the ener-
,etic Cinnamon, the wandering Japs, and
he tourists who are loud in their praise OF
IS beauty and grandeur.
JOHN r. MUsICK.