The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-01-15
~ OWN by Kamaukapili Church
y there lives a queer old man who
has many a thrilling tale to tell.

H OWN by Kamaukapili Church
4 there lives a queer old man who
has many a thrilling tale to tell.
His name is Kekela. and he is over
seventy-five years old. He has many
a treasure, each with story Oh us
own, but most dearly priced among
them is beautiful gold watch and
chain which the gray-haired old gem
tleman often exhibits with great pride.
1t was given him by President Lincoln
for saving an American citizen from
being eaten by cannibals. Here is the
story:
In the little Sunday school conducted
by the father of Rev. Mr.. Parker many
years ago over beyond the Nuuanu
pail, there was a very devout little Ha-
waiian boy. His name was James ke-
kela, and he grew up with a great de-
sire to spread the tidings of the gospel
among the people Of his own Islands
and the benighted ones further south,
thousands Of miles away.
He studied hard and preached among
his brothers, finally, with Reverend
tackled to his name, going out over the
sea on the hazardous task of carrying
the gospel to the cannibal natives OF
the Marquesan group.
Attempts had repeatedly been made
by white missionaries to institute
friendly relations, but without avail.
and the task had been given up. At
last an aged chief, drawing near to
death, sent to Hawaii for some one
to come and explain the strange theory
he had heard about, and Kekela went.
He was received with courtesy by
few of the islanders, but there were
those who resented and were unfrlend-
ly.
For years Kekela struggled to 'nu.
little church among them, and when
he had succeeded the hostile ones threw
stones through his windows, and re-
peatedly burned down his buildings
At one time they made an attack on
his stone house, and killed nearly all
of his little band Of followers. These
Kekela learned had been tortured to
death and their bodies cooked and eat
en- by the enemies of his church, and
the horror of it nearly drove him away
but he struggled on and finally came
to be of some influence among them.
Those who did not believe ceased TO
torment, at least, and tolerated his lit
tie church, but they were cannibals
still, and were continually warning
among themselves. Kekela and his
flock were always in danger from the
warning factions, but they remained
and labored.
One day a strange ship came to the
islands, and some of her crew landed.
From afar the natives had seen the
ship, and they waited, hidden among
the rocks and brush. The men were
caught in ambush. but they all escaped
TO their boats except one. The ship
was the American whaler Congress,
and the captive was William Whalen.
first officer.
The ship went out to a safe distance
ana waited, for she could do nothing
more. On the beach they saw the
for the horrible doom of
their comrade. All night a fire was
kept up, and weird ceremonies We're
performed. The captive. bound hand
and foot. was cruelty tortured, tn
savages pulling his ears and nose
bending back his thumbs, brandishing
their knives over him, and committing
all manner of atrocities The poor man
cried out in his agony and prayed for
death. but this was not to be until
the sun had risen. lie was compelled
to see them carly the wood and pre-
pare the fire upon which his body was
to be roasted alive, and to see the
savage children dancing in glee over
The coming feast.
Just at dawn, when everything was
ready. the missionary Kekela arrived.
He had heard and had come to protest.
His pleading did no good. and he offer
ID a ransom, but the cannibals were
nexorable Kekela FASTENED away.
and among his flock gathered up all
he articles OF value he could. among
them his own boat and all that he
With these he finally made
! bargain for the life NJ the American.
though the chief of the cannibal fac
lion was surly. and treachery was
feared. Kekela borrowed a boat and
the dazed captive took him
nut to his shin The officers begged him
70 go away with them. but to all their
invitations he shook his head. and said
his mission was among the people OF {