The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-12-05
By SEWARD w. HOPKINS

70 sSSGSNg&SSs-9::-SSSaDNVNSD
much sceount IN Hawaii. Those who
we're not initiated into tho mysteries
of the secret orders and fanatical rites
of tbs place were not sErewd enough
to discover them. And those who did
know all about them were quite shrewa
enough to, mislead those who were
searching and-render their efforts use
less.
! After Patua had piled his oars for
few hours, learned how he was en-
abled to go FROM Molokai to Lamar
without chart. Rowing straight III
| 1m one TO
the other, bek5re lie was ont of sight
OF Molokai the rocky eminences OF
Lanai could be seen.
| The distance was considerable, yet
Patua seemed never to feel fatigue.
His muscles were like iron. He
cheweu tobacco while he rowed and
squinted at me as if trying to read
some of my thoughts. 1t was, no
doubt, al unusual thing to see an
American in possession Of the mystic
ring of the Kammilonknniliclawai; but
Patua did not give any evidence oi
! surprise. Yet, instinctively, knew
the fellow was on the lookout for
treachery, and any sign of enmity to-
| war! his order wcuru result IN nay
finding myself over board, with the
chances of returning to Honolulu very
slim.
II was nearly morning when We
| landed on Lanai's lava shores. Patua
had rested but once during the long
row, and then for only few minutes.
/ 1 had smoked until my tongue fell
| blistered. 1t was with a combined
sense of relief and danger that felt
the keel of the boat CRATE over the
smooth rock and come to standstill.
| with her nose well ont of water
"We are here" said Patua, pulling
the oars into the boat.
I stepped onto the land.
care you not coming also, Patua?"
I asked.
"No. I rest here-get some sleep
huu TetuTu Nv ulSut.
But you must eat"
II shall eat"
"Have you brought food with you?"
81 shall have plenty to eat. Do
you know your way?"
II have Lowai's directions. There
is path here.
'Lowai is great. Lowai's soul will
be with Pele in Haleakala, for he is
her faithful servant"
"Just so. And you are Pele's faith
full servant, are you not, Patua?"
''Pele knows how faithful. You
had better go. The path is there,
whore you see the openings in the
head-lands.
The shores of Lanai were high ana
Jagged. But in the direction shown
by Patua, there was a rift. I went
toward that, carefully picking my way
along a narrow ledge Of rock down by
the waters edge. 1 carried my grip
sack in my hand.
Upon reaching the rift, found'it te
be the entrance to q deep rayinc OIL
chasm, running into the island and
getting deeper farther away from the
shore. Along the bottom was what
might be called path, bat had 1 not
known it was so used, I would not
have called it one. The walking was
| laborious and slow, as l had to pick
my way over fallen pieces of rock and
Chamber around the edge of deep holes,
which, in the darkness, were exceed
ingly dangerous.
By the time 1 had travelled a mile
Of this path. it was daylight. And
! yet. 30 high and overhansing were the
walls Of the chasm, that at the bottom,
where was, it was as dark as night.
I toiled on, frequently tempted to
rest, but spurred to renewed exertion
! by my hope of soon seeing my sisters
| face.
At last reached the white rock.
Here the sides of the chasm widened
from each other, and the character OF
the place seemed to undergo change.
The bottom spread out into basin.
like place, covering, perhaps, half an
acre. The walls were high, perpen-
dicular and smooth. Apparently, the
only exit was through the ravine
whence had come. I could get no
further, even had Lowai not given me
strict injunctions to wait at the rock.
| I feared had made q mistake, for !
could see no possible way for Nimo.
lau. the guide, to reach me, unless he
followed me in by way of the chasm or
let himself down from the top by
means of q rope. But I had so far
done just what Lowai had told me to
do. and I had found everything as he