THE HAWAIIAN l*EOJn.E. 51 



well ac'cjuaiuted with the inetluxl.s of warfare that had been successfully re- 

 sorted to by kings in former times, the\- wei-e at all times among the king's 

 most respected advisors. 



Fortitications, as we understand them, were not a ])art of their scheme of 

 warfare, though sites for camps and defences were selected that jxjssessed 

 natural advantages in the matter of their defense against tlie enemy. That 

 part of the population not actually engaged in battle was sent to strongholds, 

 usually steep eminences or mountain retreats. In case of a rout the whole army 

 retired to these strongholds and valiantly defended them. In addition to these 

 natural forts, there were temples of refuge or sanctuaries to whicli those broken 

 in battle, or in peril of their lives in time of peace, might tiee and escape tho 

 wrath of all powers without. These temples were crude thougli permanent 

 enclosures, whose gates were wide open to all comers at all times. 



The Hawaiian warriors had many methods of attack and defense, depend- 

 ing usually on such matters as the strength of the enemy, the character of the 

 battlefield and the plan of campaign. Their l)attles were generally a succession 

 of skirmishes, the whole army seldom engaging in a scrimmage. They usuall\", 

 though not always, made their attack in the daytime, generally giving battle in 

 open fields, without the use of much real military strategy. Occasionally inter- 

 island wars occurred in the form of naval battles in Avhich several hundred canoes 

 were used by both sides, but as a general thing their differences were settled on 

 land. 



Practically the entire adult population was sul)ject to a call to engage 

 in hostilities. Only those who were incapacitated through age or from in- 

 firmity were exempt from the summons of the recruiting officer sent out by the 

 king to gather warriors, when anything like an extensive military operation 

 was determined upon. If occasion required, a second officer was sent to forcibly 

 bring to camp those who refused to answ^er the call of the first. As a limniliation 

 and mark of their insubordination it was a custom to slit the ears of the offenders 

 and drive them to camp with ropes around their bodies. 



Preliminary to a Battle. 



The army stores were usually prepared beforehand, and each wai-rioi- was 

 expected to bring his own provisions and arms. Not infrequently iiolice of 

 an impending attack was sent to the opposing forces and a battlefield imiluail\' 

 satisfactory to both forces selected for the engagement. The women took an 

 active share in the important pai't of the work connected with tlie eonnnissar\ ; 

 often following their husbands and hi-others onto the battlefield, carrying extra 

 weapons or calabashes of food. Wlien tlu^ forces were assembled and all tilings 

 in readiness for the fray, an astrologer was consulted by the king. 1 1" tlu^ signs 

 were auspicious the battle would l)e undertaken. As the opposing armies aiv 

 proached each other, the king's chief priests were smnmoned to make the king's 

 sacrifice to his gods. Two fires beiue built b(>tween the armies, the ]-)riosts 

 of each army made an offering, usually a \u\s. wliieli was killed by strangling. 

 When the various relisious ceremonies were over the battle would begin, 



