 CHAPTER XXV of THE LEGENDS AND MISS OF HAWAY. KALA, THE FLOWER OF LANAI, A STORY OF THE SPROUTING CAVE OF PALIKA HOLOLO. 1. Beneath one of the boldest of the rocky bluffs against which dash the breakers of Kamalua Pao Bay on the little island of Lanai is the Pulu Kala, or Sprouting Cave of Kala. The only entrance to it is through the vortex of a whirlpool, which marks the place where, at intervals, the receding waters rise in a column of foam above the surface. Within the floor of the cave gradually rises from the opening beneath the waters until a landing is reached above the level of the tides, and to the right and left, farther than the eye can penetrate by the dim light struggling through the surging waves stretch dank and shelly shores where crabs, polypea, stingrays, and other noisome creatures of the deep find protection against their larger enemies. This cavern was once a favorite resort of Mu Ali, the great lizard god, but as the emissaries of Yucanipo, the shark god, annoyed him greatly and threatened to imprison him within it by piling a mountain of rocks against the opening, he abandoned it and found a home in a cave near Kuala Pao Pao in the neighboring island of Molokai, where many rude temples were erected to him by the fishermen. Before the days of Kamamea Mea, the first, resolute divers frequently visited the sprouting cave, and on one occasion fire, enclosed in a small calabash, was taken down through the whirlpool, with the view of making a light and exploring its mysterious chambers. But the fire was scattered and extinguished by an unseen hand, and those who brought it hastily retreated to escape a shower of rocks, sent down upon them from the roof of the cavern. The existence of the cave is still known, and the whirlpool and sprouting column marking the entrance to it are pointed out. But longer and longer have grown the intervals between the visits of divers to its sunless depths, and the present generation can point to not more than one, perhaps, who has ventured to enter them. Tradition has brought down the outlines of a number of supernatural and romantic stories connected with the sprouting cave, but the nearest complete and most recent of these mookalos is the legend of Kala, the flower of Lanai, which is here given at considerably less length than native narration accords it. It was during an interval of comparatively quiet, if not peace, in a stormy career of Kamamea Mea the first, near the close of the last century, and after the battle of Manalay that he went with his court to the island of Lanai for a brief season of recreation. The visit was not made for the purpose of worshipping at the great hue of Kala Loa, which was then half in ruins, or at any of the lesser temples scattered here and there over the little island, and dedicated, in most instances, to fish gods. He went to Kiliya simply to enjoy a few days of rest away from the scenes of his many conflicts, and feast for a time upon the affluent fishing grounds of that locality. He made the journey with six double canoes, all striped with yellow, and his own bearing the royal ensign. He took with him his war god Kali, and a small army of attendants, consisting of priests, kahunas, kahili, and spittoon-bearers, stewards, cooks, and other household servants, as well as a retinue of distinguished chiefs, with their personal retainers in their own canoes, and a hundred warriors in the capacity of a royal guard. Landing the victorious chief was received with enthusiasm by the five or six thousand people then inhabiting the island. He took up his residence in the largest of the several cottages, provided for him and his personal attendants. These were brought in abundance, and flowers and sweet-scented herbs and vines were contributed without stint. The chief and his titled attendants were garlanded with them. They were strewn in his path, cast at his door, and thrown upon his dwelling, until their fragrance seemed to fill all the air. Among the many who brought offerings of flowers was the beautiful Kayala, the sweet-scented flower of Lanai, as she was called. She was a girl of fifteen, and in grace and beauty had no peer on the island. She was the daughter of Opunai, a chief of one of the lower grades, and her admirers were counted by the hundreds of the many who sought her. As a wife was Milu, the bone-breaker, he was a huge muscular savage, capable of crushing almost any ordinary man in an angry embrace, and while Kayala hated, feared, and took every occasion to avoid him, her father favored his suit, doubtless pleased at the thought of securing a son-in-law, a friend and champion, so distinguished for his strength and ferocity. As Kayala scattered flowers before the chief, her graceful movements and modesty were noted by Kayala, and when he saw her face he was enraptured with his beauty. Although young in years he was one of Kamehameha's most valued lieutenants, and had distinguished himself in many battles, he was of chiefly blood and bearing, with sinewy limbs and a handsome face, and when he stopped to look into the eyes of Kala and tell her that she was beautiful, she thought the words, although they had been frequently spoken to her by others, had never sounded so sweetly to her before. He asked her for a simple flower, and she twined a lay for his neck. He asked her for a smile, and she looked up into his face, and gave him her heart. They saw each other the next day, and the next, and then Kayali went to his chief and said, I love the beautiful Kala, daughter of Opuni. Your will is law, give her to me for a wife. For a moment Kamehameha smiled without speaking, and then replied, The girl is not mine to give, we must be just. I will send for her father. Come to-morrow." Kalae had hope for a different answer, but neither protest nor further explanation was admissible, and all he could do was to thank the king and retire. A messenger brought Opuni to the presence of Kamehameha. He was received kindly, and told that Kayali loved Kayla and desired to make her his wife. The information kindled the wrath of Opuni. He hated Kayali, but did not dare to exhibit his animosity before the king. He was in the battle of Mauna Lea, where he narrowly escaped death at the hands of Kalae, after his spear had found the heart of one of his dearest friends, and he felt that he would rather give his daughter to the sharks than to one who had sought his life and slain his friend, but he pretended to regard the proposal with favor, and in answer to the king expressed regret that he had promised his daughter to Milu, the bone-breaker. However, he continued, in respect to the interest which it has pleased you, great chief, to take in the matter, I am content that the girl shall fall to the victor in a contest with bare hands between Milu and Kalae. The proposal seemed to be fair, and not doubting that Kalae would promptly accept it, the king gave it his approval, and the contest was fixed for the day following. Opuni received the announcement with satisfaction, not doubting that Milu would crush Kalae in his rugged embrace as easily as he had broken the bones of many an adversary. News of the coming contest spread rapidly, and the next day thousands of persons assembled at Kiliya to witness it. Kalae was an agony of fear, the thought of becoming the wife of the bone-breaker almost distracted her, for it was said that he had many wives, all of whom had disappeared one after another as he tired of them, and the whisper was that he had crushed and thrown them into the sea. And besides, she loved Kaliili and deemed it scarcely possible that he should be able to meet and successfully combat the prodigious strength and ferocity of one who had never been subdued. As Kaliili was approaching the spot where the contest was to take place, in the presence of Kameyameya and his court, in a large concourse of less distinguished spectators, Kala sprang from the side of her father, and, seizing the young chief by the hand, exclaimed, You have indeed slain my people in war, but rescue me from the horrible embrace of the bone-breaker, and I will catch the squid and beat the kappa for you all my days. With a dark frown upon his face, Opunoi tore the girl from her lover before he could reply. Kaliili followed her with his eyes until she disappeared among the spectators, and then pressed forward through the crowd and stepped within the circle reserved for the combatants. My Lou was already there. He was indeed a muscular brute with long arms, broad shoulders, and mighty limbs tattooed with figures of sharks and birds of prey. He was naked to the loins, and, as Kaliili approached, his fingers opened and closed, as if impatient to clutch and tear his adversity in pieces. Though less bulky than the bone-breaker, Kaliili was large and perfectly proportioned, with well-knit muscles and loins and shoulders suggested of unusual strength. Nude, with the exception of a marrow, he was a splendid specimen of vigorous manhood, but in comparison with those of the bone-breaker, his limbs appeared to be frail and feminine, and the general expression of sympathy for the young chief was observed in the faces of the large assemblage as they turned from him to the sturdy giant he was about to encounter. The contest was to be one of strength, courage, agility, and skill combined, blows with the clenched fist, grappling, strangling, tearing, breaking, and every other injury which it was possible to inflict were permitted. In Hoko, wrestling, and Moko, boxing, contests, certain rules were usually observed in order that fatal injuries might be avoided, but in the combat between Kaliili and Malu, no rule nor custom was to govern. It was to be a savage struggle to the death. Taunt and boasting are the usual prelude to personal conflicts among the uncivilized, nor was it deemed unworthy the Saxon knight to meet his adversary with insult and bravado. The object was no more to unnerve his opponent than to steal his own courage. With the bone-breaker, however, there was little fear or doubt concerning the result. He knew the measure of his own prodigious strength, and with a malignant smile that laid bare his shark-like teeth, he glared with satisfaction upon his rival. Ha-ha! laughed the bone-breaker, taking astride to ward Kaliili. So you are the insane youth who was dared to meet Malu in combat. Do you know who I am? I am the bone-breaker. In my hands the limbs of men are like tender cane. Come, and with one hand let me strangle you. You will need both, replied Kaliili. I know you. You are a breaker of bones of women, not of men. You speak brave words, but have the heart of a coward. Let the word be given, and if you do not run from me to save your life, as I have suspect you will, I will put my foot upon your broken neck before you find time to cry for mercy. Before Malu could retort the word was given, and with an exclamation of rage he sprang at the throat of Kaliili, feigning as if to meet the shock. The latter waited until the hands of Malu were almost at his throat, when, with a quick movement, he struck them up, swayed his body to the left, and with his right foot adroitly tripped his overconfident assailant. The momentum of Malu was so great that he fell headlong to the earth, springing upon him before he could rise, Kaliili seized his right arm, and with a vigorous blow of the foot, broke the bone below the elbow. Rising and finding his right arm useless, Malu attempted to grapple his adversary with the left, but a well-delivered blow felled him again to the earth, and Kaliili broke his left arm as he had broken the right. Regaining his feet and unable to use either hand with a wild howl of despair, the bone breaker rushed upon Kaliili with the view of dealing him a blow with his bent head, but the young chief again tripped him as he passed, and seizing him by the hair as he fell, placed his knees against the back of his prostrate foe, and broke his spine. This of course ended the struggle, and Kaliili was declared the victor amidst the plaudits of the spectators, and the congratulations of Kamehameha and the court. Coming from her father, who was grievously disappointed at the unlocked fore-result, and who sought to detain her, Kala sprang through the crowd and threw herself into the arms of Kaliili, a poony would have protested, and asked that his daughter might be permitted to visit her mother before becoming the wife of Kaliili, but the king put an end to his hopes by placing the hand of Kala in that of the victorious chief, and saying to him, you have won her nobly, she is now your wife, take her with you. Although silenced by the voice of the king, and compelled to submit to the conditions of a contest which he had himself proposed, O'Pooni's hatred of Kaliili knew no abatement, and all that day and the night following, he sat alone by the seashore, devising amines by which Kala, and her husband, might be separated, he finally settled upon a plan. The morning after her marriage, O'Pooni visited Kala, as if he had just returned from Mahana, where her mother was supposed to be then living, he greeted her with apparent affection, and was profuse in his expressions of friendship for Kaliili. He embraced them both, and said, I now see that you love each other, my prayer is that you may live long and happily together. He then told Kala that Kalani, her mother, was lying dangerously ill at Mahana, and believing that she would not recover, desired to see and bless her daughter before she died. Kala believed the story, for her father wept when he told it, and moaned as if for the dead, and beat his breast, and with many protestations of love, Kali allowed her to depart with O'Pooni, with the promise from both of them that she would speedily return to the arms of her husband. With some misgivings, Kali watched her from the top of the hill, above Kaliia until she descended into the valley of Palawi, there leaving the path that led to Mahana, they journeyed toward the bay of Kamalapau, satisfied that her father was for some purpose deceiving her, Kala protested and was about to return when he acknowledged that her mother was not ill at Mahana, as he had represented to Kali in order to secure his consent to her departure, but at the sea shore where she had gathered crabs, shrimps, limpets, and other delicacies, and prepared a feast in celebration of her marriage, reassured by this plausible story and half-disposed to pardon the deception emitted by her father, Kala proceeded with him to the sea shore, she saw that her mother was not there, and heard no sound but the beating of the waves against the rocks, she looked up into the face of her father for an explanation, his eyes were cold and a cruel smile upon his lips told her better than words that she had been betrayed, where is my mother she inquired and then bitterly added I do not see her fire by the shore must we search for her among the sharks, a puny no longer sought to disguise his real purpose here the truth he said with a wild glare in his eyes that whiten the lips of Kala the shark shall be your mate but he will not harm you you shall go to his home but he will not devour you down among the gods of the sea I will leave you until Kahali hated by me above all things that breathe shall have left Lanai and then I will bring you back to earth terrified at these words Kala screamed and sought to fly but her heartless father seized her by the hand and dragged her along the shore until they reached a bench of the rocky bluff overlooking the opening to the sprouting cave a puny was among the few who had entered the cavern through its gate of circling waters and he did not for a moment doubt that within its gloomy walls where he was about to place her Kala would remain secretly hidden until such time as he might choose to restore her to the light standing upon the narrow ledge above the entrance to the cave marked by alternate whirlpool and receding column Kala divine the barbarous purpose of her father and implored him to give her body to the sharks at once rather than leave her living in the damp and darkness of the sprouting cave to be tortured by the slimy and venomous creatures of the sea deaf to her entreaties a puny watched until the settling column went down into the throat of the whirlpool when he gathered the frantic and struggling girl in his arms and sprained into the circling abyss sinking a fathom or more below the surface and impaled by a strong current setting toward the mouth of the cave he soon found and was swept through the entrance and in a few moments stood upon a rocky beach in the dim twilight of the tavern with the half conscious Kala clinging to his neck the only light penetrating the cave was the little refracted through the waters and every object that was not too dark to be seen look greenish and ghostly crabs, eels, stingrays and other noisome creatures of the deep were crawling stealthily among the rocks and the dull thunder of the battling waves was the only sound that could be distinguished disengaging her arms he placed her among the beach above the reach of the waters and then sat down beside her to recover his breath and wait for retreating current to bear him to the surface reviving Kala looked around her with horror and piteously implored her father not to leave her in that dreadful place beneath the waters for some time he made no reply and then it was to tell her harshly that she might return with him if she would promise to accept the love of the chief of Oluwahu in the valley of Palawai and allow Kailai to see her in the embrace of another this she refused to do declaring that she would perish in the cave or the attempt to leave it rather than be liberated on such monstrous conditions then here you will remain said Oh Po Nui savagely until I return or the chief of Oluwahu comes to bear you off to his home in Maui then rising to his feet he continued hastily as he noted a turn in the current at the opening you cannot escape without assistance if you attempt it you will be dashed against the rocks and become the food of sharks with this warning Oh Po Nui turned and plunged into the water diving and passing with the current through the entrance he was born swiftly to the surface and to his full length up into the sprouting column but he coolly precipitated himself into the surrounding waters and with a few strokes of the arms reached the shore to Kailai watched the departure of Kaila and her father until they disappeared in the valley of Palawai and then clumily returned to his hut his fears troubled him he thought of his beautiful Kaila and his heart ate for her warm embrace then he thought of the looks and words of Oh Po Nui and recalled in both a suggestion of deceit thus harassed with his thoughts he spent the day in roaming alone among the hills and the following night in restless slumber with dreams of death and torture the portious cry of an ally roused him from his capa mo before daylight and until the sun rose he sat watching the stars then he climbed the hill overlooking the valley of Palawai to watch for the return of Kaila and wonder what could have detained her so long he watched until the sun was well up in the heavens feeling neither thirst nor hunger and at length saw a pow fluttering in the wind far down the valley a woman was rapidly approaching and his heart beat with joy for he thought she was Kaila nearer and nearer she came and Kailai still hopeful ran down to the path to meet her her step was light and her air graceful and it was not until he had opened his arms to receive her that he saw that the girl was not Kaila she was the friend of Kaila and almost her equal in beauty they had been reared together and in their love for each other were like sisters they loved the same flowers the same wild songs of the birds the same paths among the hills and now that Kaila love Kailili Ua loved him also recognizing Kailili as she approached Ua stopped before him and bent her eyes to the ground without speaking where is Kaila inquired Kailili raising the face of Ua and staring eagerly into it have you seen her has any ill come to her speak I have not seen her and no of no ill that has befallen her replied the girl but I have come to tell you that Kaila has not yet reached the hut of Kailani her mother and as O'Poonie with a dark look in his face was seen to lead her through the forest of Kumuku it is feared that she has been betrayed and will not be allowed to return to Kailia and that too has been my fear since the moment I lost sight of her in the valley of Palawai says Kailili I should not have trusted her father for I knew him to be treacherous and unforgiving may the wrath of the gods follow him if harm has come to her through his cruelty but I will find her if she is on the island the gods have given her to me and in life or death she shall be mine terrified at the wild looks and words of Kailili Ua clasped her hands in silence hark he continued bending his ear toward the valley it seems that I hear her calling for me now and with an exclamation of rage and despair Kailili started at a swift pace down the path taken by Kaila the day before as he hurried onward he saw at intervals the footprints of Kaila in the dust and every imprint seemed to increase his speed reaching the point where the Mahana path diverged from the somewhat broader Allah of the valley he followed it for some distance hoping that Ua had been misinformed and that Kaila had really visited her mother and might be found with her but when he looked for and failed to find the marks of her feet where in reason they should have been seen had she gone to Mahana with her father he returned and continued his course down the valley suddenly he stopped the footprints for which he was watching had now disappeared from the Palawai path and for a moment he stood looking irresistibly around as if in doubt concerning the direction next to be pursued in his uncertainty several plans of action presented themselves one was to see what information could be gathered from Kaila's mother at Mahana another to follow the Palawai valley to the sea and a third to return to Kailia and Kassault Kuala while these various suggestions were being rapidly canvassed and before any conclusion could be reached the figure of a man was seen approaching from the valley below Kallali secreted himself behind a rock where he could watch the path without being seen the man drew nearer and nearer until at last Kallali was enabled to distinguish the features of Opanui of all men the one whom he most desired to meet his muscles grew rigid with wrath and his hot breath burned the rock behind which he was crouching he buried his fingers in the earth to teach them patience and clenched his teeth to keep down a struggling exclamation of vengeance and so he waited until Opanui reached a curve in the path which brought him in passing within a few paces of the eyes that were savagely glaring upon him and the next moment the two men stood facing each other startled at the unexpected appearance of Kali Opanui betrayed his guilt at once by attempting to fly but with the cry of give me Kala Kali sprang forward and endeavored to seize him by the throat a momentary struggle followed but Opanui was scarcely less powerful than his adversary and his shoulders being bare he succeeded in breaking from the grass of Kali and seeking safety in flight toward Kaliya with a cry of disappointment Kali started in pursuit both were swift of foot and the race was like that of a hungry shark following his prey one was inspired by fear and the other with rage and every muscle of the runners was strained leaving the valley path Opanui struck for key by a shorter course across the hills he hoped the roughness of the route and his better knowledge of it would give him an advantage but Kali kept closely at his heels on they sped up and down hills across ravines and along rocky ridges until they reached Kaliya where Opanui suddenly turned to the left and made a dash for the temple and Puhuna not far distant Kali devined his purpose and with a last supreme effort sought to thwart it gaining ground with every step he made a desperate grasp at the shoulder of Opanui just as a ladder sprang through the entrance and dropped to the earth exhausted within the protecting walls of the Puhua Hohana Kali attempted to follow but two priests promptly stepped into the portal and refused to allow him to pass stand out of the way or I'll strangle you both exclaimed Kali fiercely as he threw himself against the guards are you insane said another long hair peace stepping forward with a taboo staff in his hand do you not know that this is a Puhuna sacred to all who seek its protection would you bring down upon yourself the wrath of the gods by shedding blood within its walls if I may not enter then drive him forth replied Kali pointing towards Opanui who was lying upon the ground a few paces within intently regarding the proceedings at the gate that cannot be returned the priest should he will to leave the way will not be closed to him otherwise he may remain in safety coward cried Kali addressing Opanui in a taunting tone is it thus that you seek protection from the anger of an unarmed man a pal would be better become you than a marrow you should twine lays and beat kappa with women and think no more of the business of men come without the walls if your trembling limbs will bear you and I will serve you as I did your friend the breaker of women's bones come and I will tear from your throat the tongue that lied to Kala and feed it to the dogs a Malik then smile wrinkled the face of Opanui as he thought of Kala in her hiding place under the sea but he made no reply do you fear me continued Kali then arm yourself with a spear and battle axe and with bare hands I will meet and strangle you Opanui remains silent and in a paroxym of rage and disappointment Kali threw himself upon the ground and curse the taboo that barred him from his enemy his friends found and bore him to his hut and with gentle arts and loving hands sought to soothe and comfort him but he would not be consoled he talked and thought alone of Kala and hastily partaking of food that he might regain his strength started again in search of her pitting his distress who followed him not closely but so that she might not lose sight of him altogether he traveled in every direction stopping neither for food nor rest of every one he met he acquired for Kala and called her name in the deep valleys and on the hill tops wondering near the sacred spring at the head of the waters of Kiala he met a white haired priest bearing from the fountain a calabash of water for ceremonial use in one of the temples the priest knew and feared him for his looks were wild and humbly offered him water I asked not for food or water old man said Kali you are a priest perhaps a Kala tell me where I can find Kala the daughter of open newy and I will pile your altars with sacrifices son of the long spear replied the priest I know you seek the sweet smelling flower of Pala why her father alone knows of her hiding place but it is not here in the hills nor is it in the valleys open do we loves and frequency see he hunts for the squid in dark places and dies for the great fish in deep waters he knows of cliffs that are hollow and of caves with entrances below the waves he goes alone to the rocky shore and sleeps with the fish gods who are his friends he no more of him interrupted the chief impatiently tell me what has become of Kala be patient and you shall hear resume the priest in one of the caverns of the sea known to open newy and others has Kala been hidden so I see her now the place is dark and her heart is full of terror he sent to her be diligent and you will find her but sleep not or she will be the food of the creatures of the sea thinking the priest Kali started toward the Bay of Kaumapa followed by the faithful and did not rest until he stood upon the bluff of Pali hollow overlooking the sea wildly the ways beat against the rocks looking around he could discern no hiding place along the shore and the thunder of the breakers and the screams of the seagulls were the only sounds to be heard in despair he raised his voice and wildly exclaimed Kala O Kala where are you do you sleep with the fish gods and must I seek you in their homes among the sunken shores the bluff where he was standing overlooked and was immediately above the sprouting cave from the submerged entrance to which a column of water was rising above the surface and breaking into spray in the midst of the upheaval he thought he saw the shadowy face and form of Kala and in the tumult of the rushing waters fancy that he heard her voice calling him to come to her Kala I come he exclaimed and with a wild leap spraying from the cliff to class the misty form of his bride he sank below the surface and as the column disappeared with him and he returned no more who a wailed upon the winds a requiem of love and grief in words like these Oh dead is Kali the young chief of Hawaii the chief of a few years and many battles his limbs were strong and his heart was gentle his face was like the sun and he was without fear dead is a slayer of the bone breaker dead is the chief who crushed the bones of my Lou dead is the lover of Kala and the loved of for his love he plunged into the deep waters for his love he gave his life who is like Kali Kala is hidden away and I am lonely Kali is dead and the black kappa is over my heart now let the gods take the life of with a last look at the spot where Kali had disappeared who a hasten to key Leah and at the feet of Kamehameha told of the rash act of the disappearing husband of Kala the king was greatly grieved at the story of for he loved the young chief almost as if he had been his son it is useless to search for the body of Kali he said for the sharks have eaten it then turning to one of his chiefs he continued no pile can be raised over the bones send for the poet that a chant may be made in praise of Kali approaching near Papa Kua a priest requested permission to speak it was granted and he said let me hope that my words may be of comfort I have heard the story of who are and cannot believe that the young chief is dead the sprouting waters into which Kali sleep mark the entrance to the cave of Pali Kaholo following downward the current he has not been drawn into the cavern where he has found Kala and may still be living such at least is my thought great chief a wild thought indeed replied the king yet there is some comfort in it and we will see how much of truth it may reveal preparations were hastely made and with four of the Sturdy's Ordsman Kamehameha started around the shore for the sprouting cave under the bluff of Pali Kaholo preceded by Uwa in a canoe with Kali her brother three when Kali plunged into the sea he had little thought of anything but death grasping at the sprouting column as he descended it seemed to sink with him to the surface and even below it and in a moment he felt himself being propelled downward and toward the cliff by a strong current recklessly yielding to the action of the waters he soon discerned an opening in the submerged space of the bluff and without an effort was drawn swiftly into it the force of the current subsided and to his surprise his head rose above the surface and he was able to breathe his feet touched a rocky bottom and he rose and looked around with the feeling of bewilderment his first thought was that he was dead and had reached the dark shores of Powell where me Lou Prince of death sits enthroned in a grove of cow trees but he smote his breast and by the smart knew that he was living and had been born by the waters into a cave beneath the cliff from which he had leapt to grasp the misty form of Kala emerged from the water Kali found himself standing on the shore of a dimly lighted cavern the air was chilly and slimy objects touched his feet and others fell splashing into the water from the rocks he wondered whether it would be possible for him to escape from the gloomy place and began to watch the movements of the waters near the opening when a lone moan reached his ear it was a voice of Kala she was lying near him in the darkness on the slimy shore her limbs were bruised and lacerated with her fruitless attempts to leave the cave and she no longer possess the strength to repel the crabs and other loathsome creatures that were drinking her blood and feeding upon her quivering flesh it is the wailing of the wind or perhaps of some demon of the sea who makes this horrible place his home thought Kali he feared neither death nor its ministers yet something like a shutter possessed him as he held his breath and listened but he heard nothing but the thunder of the breakers against the cavern walls who speaks he exclaimed advancing a pace or two back into the darkness a feeble bone almost at his feet was the response stooping and peering intently before him he distinguished what seemed to be the outlines of a human form approaching and bending over it he caught the murmur of his own name it is Kala Kali is here he cried as he tenderly folded her in his arms and bore her toward the opening seating himself in the dim light he pushed back the hair from her cold face and sought to revive her with caresses and words of endearment she opened her eyes and nestled closer to his breast whispered to the ear that was bent to her lips I am dying but I am happy for you are here he sought to encourage her he told her that he had come to save her that the gods who loved her and would not let her die had told him where to find her that he would take her to his home in Kohala and always love her as he loved her then she made no response there was a sad smile upon her cold lips he placed his hand upon her heart and found that it had ceased to beat she was dead but he still held the precious burden in his arms and hour after hour he sat there on the gloomy shore of the cavern seeing only the pallid face of Kala and feeling only that he was desolate at length he was aroused by the splashing of water within the cave he looked up and the gentle and unselfish friend of Kala stood before him followed a moment after by Kamehameha the method of entry and leaving the cave was known to Kauai and he imparted the information to his sister who first leaped into the whirlpool and the Dauntless Kamehameha did not hesitate in following as the king approached Kali rose to his feet and stood sadly before him he uttered no word but with head pointed to the body of Kala I see said the king softly the poor girl is dead she could have no better burial place come Kali let us leave it Kali did not move it was the first time that he had ever hesitated in obeying the orders of his chief what would you remain here said the king would you throw your life away for a girl there are others as fair here is she shall be your wife and I will give you the valley of we come let us leave here at once let some angry God close the entrance against us great chief reply Kali you have always been kind and generous to me and never more than now but hear me my life and strength are gone Kala was my life and she is dead how can I live without her you are my chief you have asked me to leave this place and live it is the first request of yours that I have ever disapeared it shall be the last then seizing a stone with a swift strong blow he crushed in brow and brain and fell dead upon the body of Kala a whale of anguish went up from Ua Kamehameha spoke not moved not long he gazed upon the bodies before him and his eye was moist and his strong lip quivered as turning away at last he said he loved her indeed wrapped in kappa the bodies were laid side by side and left in the cavern and there today may be seen the bones of Kala the flower of Lanai and of Kali her nightly lover by such as dare to seek the passage to them through the whirlpool of Pali Kaholu may these of the story of the tragedy were composed and chanted before Kamehameha and his court at Kailia and since then the cavern has been known as Puhi Kala or sprouting cave of Kala end of chapter 25 recording by Linda Ray Nielsen Vancouver BC chapter number 26 of the legends and myths of Hawaii this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Linda Ray Nielsen Vancouver BC the legends and myths of Hawaii by King David Calakua the destruction of the temples the last great defender of the Hawaiian gods one on the first of October 1819 a fleet of four canoes bearing the raw colors set sail from Kaili in the district of Kohala on the northwestern coast of Hawaii the canoes were large and comodious and were occupied by between 60 and 70 persons a portion of whom were females the most of the men were large muscular and over six feet in height while the dress and bearing of many of the women indicated that they were of the taboo and chiefly classes the costume of a number of those of both sexes who seem to be of rank were a strange at mixture of native and foreign fabric and fashion American and European manufacturers were beginning to find a market in the islands and the persons of many were adorned with rich claws jewelry and other tokens of civilization their weapons and utensils were largely of metal and a squad of 10 warriors armed with muskets in one of the canoes showed that the white men's methods of warfare had received early and earnest attention of the Hawaiian chiefs and leaders the canoe leading the little squadron was double with covered apartments extending into and across the united decks of both and the persons occupying it with the exception of soldiers sailors and servants were distinguished alike for their gaudy trappings and a boisterous merriment infusing a feeling of Jolidity throughout the fleet in this canoe was Leo Leo who on the death of his distinguished father Kami Kahala one something less than five months before had become sole monarch of the Hawaiian group in addition to two of his queens he was accompanied by Kappi he the commander of the royal vessels key Kihua Oa the royal treasurer and direct new of chiefly friends and personal attendance on the 8th of the previous May his royal father had died at Kailua leaving to Leo Leo the kingdom his arms had won with Kahumano as second in authority and guardian of the realm the morning following the death of his father Leo Leo left Kailua for Kohala to avoid defilement and there remain for 10 days when he returned to Kailua and formally assume the scepter at the end of the season a morning for superstitious reasons the young king again left for Kohala and took up his residence for a time at Kahua he remaining there until the first of October on the advice of Kahumano he had started on his return to Kailua during the brief residence of Leo Leo at Kahua he Kahumano inaugurated a vigorous conspiracy against the priesthood and resolved to persuade the young king to repudiate the religion and taboos of his father's in this scheme she was assisted by Q Poulani the mother of Leo Leo Kaimoku the prime minister and he Wahee Wahee the high priest who claimed dissent from the renowned Pau in the latter part of the reign of the first Kamikamaha the gods and taboos of the priesthood began to lose something of their sanctity in the Estimation of the masses although the first Christian missionaries to the islands did not arrive until nearly a year after the death of Kamikamaha the first many trading and war vessels had touched at Hawaiian ports during the two proceeding decades no very clear idea of the Christian religion had been imparted to the natives by the sailors and traders with whom they had been brought in contact but it could not have escaped their observation that the foreigners disregard of the taboo brought with it no punishment and they very naturally began to question the divinity of a religious code limited in its scope to the Hawaiian people the results of this growing skepticism were frequent violations of the taboo to check this said deus tenancy summary punishments were inflicted a woman was put to death for entering the eating apartment of her husband and Jarvis relates that three men were sacrificed at Cala Calaca a short time before the death of Kamikamaha one of them for putting on the marrow of a chief another for eating a forbidden article and the third for leaving a house that was taboo and entering one that was not Kamikamaha had learned something of the religion of the foreigners but not enough to impress him greatly in its favor and when questioned concerning it during his last illness he replied that he should die in the faith of his fathers although he thought it well that his successor should give the subject attention different motos influence the leaders in this conspiracy against the religion and taboo of the group Kahumanu the favorite wife of Kamikamaha the first but the mother of none of his children was bold ambitious and unscrupulous left second in authority under the young king she chafed at the restraints imposed by the taboo upon her sex many of the most palatable foods were denied her by custom and in her intercourse with foreigners acts of courtesy were chilled and hampered by numerous and irksome taboo in their dictions to enable her to eat and drink of whatever her appetites craved and to do so in the presence of males Kahumanu was prepared to strike at the roots of a religious system which had maintained her ancestors in place and power even though she had no definite knowledge of the new faith with which she hoped to supplant it although the uncle of one of the wives of Leo Leo Ke Canu or he Kali Moku was not of distinguished rank he was a chief of decided ability however and had been by degrees advanced under the first Kamikamaha until he became the prime minister of the second not being a taboo chief by birth he was easily persuaded by Kahumanu to lend his assistance in depriving those of higher rank of their taboo prerogatives and to this end he and his brother Boki were baptized by the Roman Catholic Champlain of the French Corvette the Irini shortly after the assumption of the government by Leo Leo this was done while the young king was residing at Kawahi and without his knowledge Keopu Lenny the political wife of Kamikamaha the first and the mother of Leo Leo Kua Kali and Nahia Ina was a daughter of Ke Wa Leo and supreme taboo rank so well was this recognized that her distinguished husband it is related always approached her with his face to the earth she lacked decision of character however and her adhesion to the conspiracy against the taboo was doubtless due to the influence over her of the crafty Kahamu whatever may have been the motives of others the apostate of he wa he wa seem to have been the result of conviction being the high priest of Hawaii he had everything to lose and nothing to profit by the destruction of the religious system of which he was the supreme and honored head of an inquiring mind the little knowledge he had gained of the new creed had convinced him of the inconsistency of his own and when the time came to strike he acted boldly his hand was the first to apply the torch to the temples had he hesitated the conspiracy would have failed for the influence of the high priest with the masses at that time was second only to that of the king Leo Leo was strong only in his attachments born in 1797 when the group had been consolidated under one government and further wars were not apprehended he had not been given that austere and solid training in civil and military life imparted to the princes of the previous generation he was attracted by the vices rather than the virtues of the foreigners at intervals visiting the islands and realizing that his future was secure had devoted almost exclusively to pleasure the ripening years of his youth lighthearted affectionate and gentle he had shown so little taste for public affairs at the age of 22 that his dying father in bequeathing to him the scepter deemed it prudent to accompany it with the condition that should he wield it unworthily the supreme power should devolve upon human these were the prominent actors in the scheme for the destruction of the priesthood and thus the character of the young king who had been tearing for some months at kawahi and to whom a message have been sent by kahu manu informing him that on his return to kaluu she would openly set the gods at defiance and declare against the taboo this information did not greatly astonish liu liu he knew of the growing hostility to the taboo had talked with hua hua on the subject had learned that his mother had failed to respect it on late occasions and had himself seen it violated without harm to the offender yet he feared the consequences of an open declaration against the priesthood he remembered the fate of hua whose bones whitened in the sun he knew that his arrival at kai lua would precipitate the crisis and compel him either to renounce or defend the gods of his fathers and after leaving kawahi as we have seen with a party occupying four canoes he pursued his way very leisurely towards kai lua seemingly in no haste to reach his destination moving southward and passing the rocky point immediately north of pu kau sail was shortened in the royal fleet and the canoes drifted slowly along the coast taking just wind enough to hold their course carousings were heard in the royal quarters liu liu appeared and waving his hand to a group of men and women forward a wild hula dance was soon in progress to the accompaniment of drums and rattling calabashes the king watched the dancers for some time with vacant air and then began to mark the drumbeats with his feet the emphasis of the movement increased until dismissing his dignity his voice finally rose above the rude music and he began to dance with an enthusiasm which seemed to be almost frenzied others of the royal party joined in the revelry and for half an hour or more the vessel was the scene of tumultuous merriment bottles and calabashes of intoxicating liquors were then passed from one to another of the companions of the king and the hula was continued followed by chants melees and other methods of enjoyment drinking with frequent and the humbler members of the party were sparingly supplied with jim whiskey and other stimulants similar scenes were transpiring in the canoes following and the debauch was the wildest ever witnessed on any one of the eight Hawaiian seas let us make drunk the water gods exclaimed the king here hula is a taste for you and here campio is your share and he tossed into the ocean two bottles of liquor let us hope the gods may not be angered by the unusual sacrifice says la newie one of the favorite companions of the king he spoke seriously and leo holo leo's face were a troubled expression for a moment as he replied then you have not yet lost faith in the gods la newie no was the prompt answer of la newie the king did not continue the conversation turning and beckoning to a servant more liquor was bought after which the revelry was continued all through the day and far into the night meanwhile so little progress had been made that at noon the next day the fleet was off key holo for another 24 hours the feasting drinking and dancing continued when the revelers were met by a double canoe sent by kaha hu manu from kailua in search of the royal party the messengers of his chief counselor were courteously received by leo leo and hoisting all sail he was escorted by them to kailua where he was warmly welcomed by kaha hu manu and the members of the royal family appearances of dissipation were plainly visible in the language and bearing of the king and kaha hu manu regarded the moment as auspicious for committing him to some flagrant and public act of hostility to the taboo boshi and kio pulani the queen mother had been secretly violating it since the death of kama kama ha the first by eating of foods interdicted to their sex and to screen themselves from exposure it was necessary that the religious system should be destroyed of which the taboo was the vital force this could be accomplished only through the united efforts of the king and high priest he was a he was prepared to do his part as the religious head of the kingdom but the young king notwithstanding the pressure that had been brought to bear upon him by kaha hu manu and a few of the leading chiefs of his court was still undecided a feast was prepared in honor of the king's return to kailua in accordance with native custom separate tables for the sexes were spread and a number of foreigners were present as the invited guests of kaha hu manu during the afternoon lio lio in response to well devised banters had been induced to drink and smoke with the female members of his family this was a favorable beginning and father embroidered by his mother who deliberately ate a banana in his presence and drank the milk of a coconut he declared that he would openly set the taboo at defiance during the approaching feast it was feared that his courage would fail and he was not left to himself for a moment until he led the way to the feast his step was unsteady and his face wore a troubled expression as he proceeded to the pavilion accompanied by kaha hu manu kiu pulani and other members of the royal household as they separated to take seats at their respective tables the queen mother gave lio lio a look of encouragement and kaha hu manu said to him in a low tone if you have the courage of your father this will be a great day for hawaii the king made no reply for at the moment his eyes fell upon wooden images of ku and lono on opposite sides of the entrance and he stepped briskly past them and seated himself at the head of one of the tables the sight of the idols almost unnerved him and some of the guests observed that his hand trembled as he raised to his lips and drained a vessel of what seemed to be strong the cure the guests were all seated hua hua rose and glancing at the troubled face of the king lifted his hands and said with firmness one and all may we eat in peace and in our hearts give thanks to the one and only god of all the words of the high priest restored the sinking courage of the king he rose from his seat deliberately walked to one of the tables reserved for the women and seated himself beside his mother during the strange proceeding not a word was spoken not a morsel touched some believed him to be intoxicated others were sure that he was in saying since the age of wakia no one had so defied the gods and lived many natives rose from the tables and horror took the place of astonishment when leo leo encouraged by his mother began freely partake of the food prepared for the women interdicted fish meats and fruits were then brought to the tables of the women by order of the king who ate from their plates and drank from their vessels now satisfied that the king was acting deliberately and with the approval of the most influential dignitaries of the kingdom including the supreme high priest a majority of the cheese present promptly followed the example of their sovereign and and describable scene ensued the taboo is broken the taboo is broken passed from lip to lip swelling louder and louder as it went until it reached beyond the pavilion there it was taken up in shouts by the multitude and was soon waisted on the winds to the remotest corners of kona feasts were at once provided and men and women ate together indiscriminately the taboo foods of palace and temple were voraciously eaten by the masses and thousands of women for the first time learned the taste of flesh and fruits which had tempted their mothers for centuries at the conclusion of the raw feast a still greater surprise bewildered the people we have made a bold beginning said he wa he wa to the king thus adroitly assuming a part of the responsibility but the gods and he yows cannot survive the death of the taboo then let them perish with it exclaimed leo leo now nerve to desperation at what he had done if the gods can punish we have done too much already to hope for grace they can but kill and we will test their powers by inviting the full measure of their wrath to this resolution the high priest gave his ready ascent and orders were issued at once for the destruction of the gods and temples throughout the kingdom resigning his office he wa he wa was the first to apply the torch and in the smoke a burning hay was images and other sacred property beginning on hawai and ending at knee how suddenly passed away a religious system which for 1500 years or more had shaped the faith commanded the respect and received the profoundest reverence of the Hawaiian people no creed was offered by the in ion class in lieu of the system destroyed by royal edict and until the arrival of the first christian missionaries in march of the year following the people of the arc palgo were left without a shadow of religious restraint or guidance two while the abolition of the taboo system received the universal approval of the masses the destruction of the gods and temples met with very considerable remonstrance and opposition it was believed by many that the priesthood might be preserved without the taboo and that the king had transcended his sovereign power in striking down both at a single blow hence many gods were saved from the burning temples and thousands refused to relinquish the faith in which they had been reared deprived of their occupations the priest denounced the destruction of the hayos and it was not long before a formidable conspiracy against the government was organized on hawaii under the leadership of keo o kalani a chief of rare accomplishments and a cousin of the king defection appeared at the court and several chiefs of distinction gave their support to the revolutionary movement however it may be regarded in the light of its results on the part of keo o kalani the rebellion was a brave and conscientious defense of the religion of his fathers he raised the standard of revolt within a day's march of kailua and invited to its support all who condemned the action of leo leo in decreeing the destruction of the national religion he scorned all compromises and concessions and but for the firearms of the whites would doubtless have rested the scepter from his royal cousin it has been asserted that keo o kalani was ambitious and availed himself of the discontent created by the anti-religious decrees of leo leo as a possible means of seizing the reigns of government this assumption is not sustained either by the words or acts of the unfortunate chief the ambassadors sent to him after the first skirmish of the conflict reported that he declined all terms of peaceful settlement this however was not the case what he demanded was that leo leo should withdraw his edicts against the priesthood permit the rebuilding of the temples and dismiss kala imoku as prime minister and kahu manu as chief counselor of the government these conditions were declined and the ambassadors returned with the story that they had offered to leave the question of religion entirely with the people but that keo kalani would have nothing but war a correct statement of what occurred at the interview would doubtless have weakened the royal cause and was therefore withheld after the resignation of he wa he wa as high priest the position devolved upon keo o kalani by right of presidents and believing in the sanctity of his gods as a brave man he could not do less than take up arms in their defense no characters in hawaiian history stand forth with sadder prominence or add a richer tint to the vanishing chivalry of the race then keo kalani and his courageous and devoted wife manono the last defenders in arms of the hawaiian gods they saw all that the light around them presented but the only gods known to them were those of their fathers and they died in a futile effort to protect them they were brave noble and conscientious and the cause in which they perished cannot detract from their grandeur or dim the glory of the sacrifice in the veins of keo o kalani ran the best blood both of hawai and a wahoo he was a nephew of kama kama heya the first and his strain was even superior in rank to that of his distinguished uncle his great grandmother was kamikamoku a princess of awaku who became the wife of calanio manmao one of the sons of kawaii king of hawaii and the mother of kale kao pu grandfather of keo pulani mother of leo leo one of the full sisters of kane piu was manoa the grandmother of kia kolani one of the early wives of kama kamae the first was caloa a chieftess of hawaii she subsequently became the wife of kiko kamae oa a younger brother of ka hikalini king of maui and the mother of manoa wife of kiko kalani as the mother of manoa was a daughter of kuma koa one of the sons of kia wee king of hawaii and the father was a prince of maui she was not only of high rank but was related in blood both to her husband and the reigning family kika koa lani is referred to by tradition as one of the most imposing chiefs of his day he was more than six and a half feet in height perfect in form handsome in feature and noble in bearing brave sagacious and magnetic he possessed the requirements of a successful military leader but as war had practically ceased with the conquest of the group by kamea mea the first and he had little taste for the frivolities of the court where he might have worn out his life in honored idleness he turned his attention to the priesthood beginning at the bottom with patient application he passed through the intervening degrees until he stood beside the high priest fully his equal in learning and more than his peer in devotion to his calling he mastered the chronological mailies of the higher priesthood and the esoteric lore and secret symbols of the temple and with the death of hiwa hiwa it was the universal expectation that the duties of the high priesthood would devolve upon him in disposition he was humane charitable and unselfish and appreciating the nobility of his character his wife worshiped him almost as a god in return he bestowed upon her the full measure of his affection and the waters of their lives flow peacefully on together until the grave engulfed them both this was the character of the sturdy chief around whom the friends of the dethroned gods of hawaii began to rally he counseled peace and submission so long as he could find listeners among the disaffected but in the end he was forced into the revolt and became the leader of the movement he was present at the royal feast at kailua when leo leo publicly violated the taboo and decreed the destruction of the temples he saw hiwa hiwa the venerable high priest who had been to an extent his religious guide and instructor cast the first brand upon the heow where they had so often worshiped together and sought the councils of the gods at first all this seemed to be a horrible dream but the burning temples and frantic rejoicings of the populace soon convinced him that it was a bewildering reality and he threw himself to the earth and prayed that his sight might be blasted that he might witness no farther the sacrilegious acts of the people leo leo's brain is on fire with strong drink and he may be urged to do anything thought kio kilani but hiwa hiwa it must be that he is insane and it is my duty to speak with him he sought and found the high priest and learned to his great grief that hiwa hiwa was not only sound in mind but was in thorough accord with the king in his determination to destroy the temples and repudiate the priesthood and you a high priest of the blood of pow advised this said kio kilani bitterly i advise it was the calm reply of heo heo but i am no longer the high priest of hawaii the king has been so notified then here and now do i assume the vacant place returned kio kilani promptly by whose appointment inquired hiwa hiwa by the will of the outraged gods whose temples are turning to ashes around us replied kio kilani with energy they will teach me my duty even should they fail to visit vengeance upon their betrayers with these words kio kilani turned and walked away his heart was filled with anguish and the shouts of the people drove him almost to despair reaching the pavilion he lifted and placed upon his shoulder the prostate and mutilated image of lono that had stood beside the entrance and with the precious burden strode gloomily and defiantly past the palace and disappeared for a month or more nothing was heard of kio kilani at the court meanwhile the work of destruction continued and the smoke of burning temples rose everywhere throughout the group at length word reached kailua that some of the priesthood sustained by a number of influential chiefs were inciting a revolt in south kono little attention was paid to the report until it was learned that kio kilani had accepted the leadership of the movement this alarmed the court and a council of chiefs was called discussion developed the prevailing opinion that the threatened uprising was merely a local disturbance that could be quelled without difficulty and leo leo's apprehensions were further relieved by the assurance of one of the chiefs that with the assistance of 40 warriors he would undertake to bring kio kilani a prisoner to kailua within three days not with 40 times 40 said hua hua earnestly better than anyone else he understood and appreciated the lofty courage of kio kilani and was too generous to listen to its disparagement without protest no not with 40 times 40 he continued without kio kilani the revolt will amount to nothing with him it means war then war let it be since he invites it exclaimed kaila moku but may he not be persuaded to peace inquired the king addressing the question apparently to hea hua undoubtedly replied the latter if we are prepared to accept his conditions what thank you would be the conditions returned the king the restoration of the taboo and the rebuilding of the temples was a deliberate answer of he wa he wa the king was silent but before the council dissolved it was understood that a force would be sent against the rebels at once and for a week or more preparations for the campaign were in progress under the supervision of kaili moku every thing at length being in readiness the royal army numbering it is presumed not less than 1500 warriors some of them bearing firearms moved southward from kailua in the direction of kailua where had been established the rebel headquarters having accepted the leadership of the rebellion and regarding himself as champions selected by the gods for their defense kio kilani vitalized the movement with energy and enthusiasm which soon brought the people to support in large numbers and the winter solstice found him in command of an army large enough to inspire him with a reasonable hope of success the five intercalated days between the winter solstice and the beginning of the new year had from time immemorials been set apart as a season of taboo dedicated to festivities in honor of lono one of the hawaiian trinity in the midst of the general religious demoralization kiko kailani devoted to the season its customary observances the last yearly festival ever authoritatively given to lono in the group the movements of the government were regularly and rapidly reported to kiko kailani and when the royal troops left kailua he was prepared to meet them through through his efforts a heel near kawola had escaped destruction thither he repaired and often sacrifices to the gods prayed that they would manifest their power by giving him victory he did not await the assault of the royal forces leaving kawolua he attacked and defeated their advance not far north of that place throwing the entire army into confusion satisfied with the success he returned to kawolua news of the repulse reached kailua a consultation was called by the king and kailo mukku urged the prompt advance of reinforcement by land and sea and in immediate an overwhelming attack upon the rebels at kawolua rightly claiming that every day would add to the strength of the insurgents under the inspiration of the slight victory they had achieved this advice was accepted and every available force was immediately sent to the front including a squadron of double canoes under the command of kahumanu and kailua one of them carrying a mounted swivel in charge of a foreigner uncertain as to the strength of the rebels and by no means confident of the results of a struggle which had opened in favor of his enemies leo leo advised a resort to peaceful negotiation before staking everything on the chances of battle hope pally who stood in the capacity of husband to the queen mother and nahi hereditary national counselor and orator were seated as ambassadors to confer with kio kalani and kio poulani volunteered to accompany them reaching the camp of the insurgents the ambassadors were graciously received by kio kalani and used every means to affect an amniacal settlement of the difficulties that had brought two hostile armies face to face but nothing satisfactory could be accomplished they were not authorized to offer such terms as kio kalani felt that he could consistently accept in as much as they failed to embrace either the restoration of the taboo or the rebuilding of the temples nath offered to leave the question of religion optional with the insurgents to this proposal kiko kalani bitterly replied you offer the scales of the fish after you have picked the bones as they are without temples where would they worship as they are without altars where would they sacrifice as they are without the taboo what to them would be sacred and acceptable to the gods then must we take back the word that kiko kalani will have nothing but war said kio poulani sadly no honored mother of princes replied kiko kalani in a tone so solemn and impressive that his listeners stood odd in his presence say rather that kiko kalani the last high priest it may be of hawaii is prepared to die in defense of the gods to whose service he has devoted his life if they are omnipotent as he believes them to be their temples will rise again if not he is more than willing to hide his disappointment in the grave nithi was his uncle kami kamoko was the great grandmother both of kio poulani and himself and the king was his cousin as a condition a piece he demanded the recall of the edicts against the taboo and the temples as this could not be conceded the ambassadors appealed to his relationship with themselves and the royal family but he could not be moved we are proud of our blood he said to kio poulani but who but the gods made kings of our ancestors finding that nothing could be affected the ambassadors withdrew with tokens of mutual regret and were safely and respectively escorted beyond rebel lines the reports they allowed to be circulated on their return that kiko kalani had refused to consider any terms of peace and that they had narrowly escaped with their lives were inventions employed to mislead and exasperate the royal army with the departure of the ambassadors men and no sought her husband to learn the results of the conference the information that no agreement had been reached did not surprise her for weeks past all the augurities had indicated blood and the night before the alley had screamed in the palms behind her hunt thank the gods for the omen said kio kalani but the voice of the alley is a presage of evil suggested man ono only to those who do evil replied the chief the fate of the gods whose battles we fight is shaped by themselves have you no fear of the result inquired man ono i fear nothing was the reply but the thought has sometimes come to me of late that the gods are reserving for leo leo and his advisors a punishment greater than i may be able to inflict should that be so i am obstructing with spears the path of their vengeance and will be sacrificed the will of the gods be done said man ono devotely but whatever may be the fate of kika o kalani mano will share it brave mano exclaimed the husband with emotion if the god so will it we will die together that night kio kalani took up his line of march for kailua determined to give battle to the royal forces wherever he might encounter them he moved near the coast and the next morning the hostile armies met at kuamu arranging his forces in order of battle kio kalani sent to the front a number of newly decorated gods in the charge of priests and in turn addressing the several divisions conjured them in an impassioned language to defend the gods of their fathers kali kamoku commanded the royal army in person the battle opened in favor of the rebels and with them would have been victory but for the great superiority of the royalists in firearms at a critical juncture a battalion of musketeers some of whom were foreigners charged the rebel center when the division gave way in something of a panic and soon the entire rebel forces were in retreat retiring to the adjacent seaside under cover of a stone wall they made a successful resistance for some time but the squadron of double canoes already referred to under the command of kahu manu and kalakua infallidated the position with musketry and a mounted swivel and the insurgents abandoned the unequal struggle the most of them scattering and seeking shelter in the neighboring hills although wounded early in the action keel kulani gallantly capped the field everywhere was his tall form seen moving throughout the conflict rallying and cheering his followers while at his side fought the brave man ono he finally fell with the musket ball through his heart with a wild scream of despair man ono sprang to his assistance and the next moment a bullet pierced her temple and she fell dead across the body of her dying husband kalamoku was the first to approach and gazing long upon the noble features of kiku kalani grand even in death turned to his followers and said truly since the days of kiwai a grander hawaiian has not lived thus died the last great defenders of the hawaiian gods they died as nobly as they had lived and were buried together where they fell on the field of kuamu small bodies of religious malcontents were subdued at waimia and one or two other points but the hopes and struggles of the priesthood virtually ended with the death of kiku kalani end of chapter 26 recording by lindemary nielson thank uver bc