ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 203 



where at the same moment, and showed, by his uniform con- 

 duct, that he was fully alive to the high responsibilities of his 

 office. 



When the meats were removed, wine usurped the board, toasts 

 were drunk, and songs were sung, and all was hilarity and 

 cheerfulness. 



Towards evening the whole party mounted their horses and 

 galloped down the valley into the town. As we entered the 

 precincts we formed ourselves into a battalion, and reined in our 

 horses to a dignified trot, in order to pass a troop of gay native 

 ladies who were returning from a visit to Waititi. At the head 

 of this equestrian cavalcade, I was surprised to observe the large 

 person of Madam Kinau, sitting astride upon a noble steed which 

 evidently made an effort to curvet and appear proui^d of its K 

 queenly burthen. 



While we were proceeding at this slow gait, a man suddenly 

 sprang up behind my saddle and fixed his arms firmly around my 

 waist. I was not more astonished than my horse at this intru- 

 sion ; and the spirited animal which I rode, not being accustomed 

 to carrying double, and feeling unwilling to be so imposed upon, 

 began kicking up his heels, and darting wildly about the road. I 

 requested the intruder to dismount instantly, but the only atten- 

 tion which was paid to this was a reply, in the native language, 

 which I did not understand. Supposing him to be one of the ser- 

 vants who had been heated by the refuse wine of the feast, and con- 

 sidering myself in real danger from the unruly conduct of my horse, 

 I turned half round and dealt my merry companion a blow in the 

 chest, which I intended should have unseated him. How was I 

 astonished to hear the exclamation, " don't strike so hard, hauri" 

 from him who occupied my crupper, and I w^as not long in 

 discovering that the joker was the king, Kauikeaouli, himself I 

 apologized in the best manner I could, though out of breath with 



