The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-04-15

Judging from appearances, our case
mad become a concern of great import
ance. The chiefs seemed to have had
under discussion the question whether
we We're to be treated as enemies and
subjected to the process of beheading
upon the block of the eXecutioner
(Which was there in readiness before
our eyes, or regarded as friends and
welcomed to their rude Inequalities
Unable as we were to understand a
word of their language or to say any
thing by way of explanation or defense
the reader~~will conceive, better than
we could describe, our painful situation
For time we considered our case as
hopeless. The women, who seemed IL
nave taken an interest in our welfare,A
after observing for time what was :
"oing on among the Chiefs began to ut
ter their cries and lamentations as if
realty distressed on our account.
their srief had the appearance Of be-
ing sincere; they wept and in variety
of ways expressed emotions of deep
and heartfelt solicitude. Whether this
was their manner of interceding in our
behalf. to avert some impending calam-
ity, or was expressive of their regret
on account of our doom having been
already sealed. it was impossible for us
to determine. Nor did we ever know
the amount of QUIZ obligations to those
female strangers for the interest taken
in our welfare. A termination was put
to our suspense, however, in the course
of an hour.
AT the close of the consultation a
large bowl was brought TO us, filled
with sweetened water and richly orna-
-s@l-
form a sort of hieroglyphical charac-
ters. We drank the contents of the
bowl. in compliance with their request,
from a richly wrought cup made of a
cocoanut shell. This act of hospitality
was regarded as a. favorable Indication
of friendly disposition on their part
towards US, and our hopes were after
wards confirmed. for no sooner had we
finished drinking than the natives pre-
pared to conduct Us away. We after
wards learned that messenger had
been dispatched to a neighboring town.
or settlement, to consult their prophet
ess in regard to the proper manner of
disposing of US, and that she had d.
rected them to send us to her. OF this
important parsonage a more particular
account will be given hereafter; suffice
paid to her by the natives of the island
was of the most profound character and
her authority over them was almost
unlimited.
We were conducted, through an in
considerable place, to the town where
the prophecies resided. In this place
there were several dwelling houses,
scattered about without regard to or
der, and besides the dwelling of the
prophecies two of their long buildings,
or "pyes," gave it not little import
ance in the estimation of these rude
and uncultiyated beings. We were
halted in front of one of the ''pyes'' and
directly opposite the house Of the proph-
etess. Here again we We're remind
ed of the fact that we were in the pres
ence of our superiors, as to power by
the platform on which were placed our
judges, the chiefs and the block stand
ing near them for the purpose of execu-
ton.
/; We were soon surrounded by vast
crowd of the natives. eager to see US
and to learn something of the nature
of beings so different from themselves.
I A short time after our arrival "a
quantity of food was brought from the
house of the prophecies and placed in
the center of the platform. This con-
sisted of a hogs head boiled in sea
water, highly seasoned with cayenne
and aromatic herbs, a plentiful supply
of vans and a large bowl of sweetened
water. This meal was abundant and
excellent relish.