ACROSS THE ROCKV^ MOUNTAINS, ETC. 271 



birds, and some of the tail plumes of the common dung-hill cock, 

 fastened together with light pieces of bamboo, and arranged cylin- 

 drically on a long pole. Many of the kahiles are as large in cir- 

 cumference as a hogshead, and some few not thicker than a man's 

 leg. Including the handle, they are, most of them, from eighteen 

 to twenty-five feet in length. The handle is composed of alternate 

 rings of tortoise shell and fine ivory, so accurately fitted, and 

 beautifully polished, as to appear at a short distance like one 

 piece. I observed that one of these handles was tipped with the 

 bone of a human leg, and upon inquiry learned that it had be- 

 longed to one of the ancient kings. This was also finely polished, 

 and looked like ivory, but the joint by which it was terminated 

 had a rather grim and ghastly appearance. One of these kahiles 

 is of so ancient a date, that the natives have no tradition respect- 

 ing its fabrication. It is indeed a most antiquated looking affair, 

 composed of a wiry sort of white feather from a bird which is 

 now either entirely extinct, or which had been brought from a 

 distance. 



All these splendid and costly ornaments will be buried in the 

 tomb of Harieta, where they will always remain. 



February 3(Z. — This was the day appointed for the ceremony 

 of carrying the body of the princess to the church. After the 

 rite was finished, it was brought back to the palace, where it will 

 remain for a considerable time, previous to its removal to Maui. 

 Yesterday the king sent invitations, through the consuls, to all 

 the foreign residents and visiters, and at one o'clock to-day, all 

 were assembled at the palace. The coffin still remained in the 

 situation in which I last saw it, surrounded by the kahiles. The 

 house was well filled by foreigners and natives of rank, and the 

 large enclosure without was crowded. The common men were 

 variously attired, but the great concourse of women were clothed 

 in black from head to foot. After we had waited about an hour, 



