Rice — Ha'caiiaii Legends 87 



Tlie fishermen were so eager to be off that they consented. In their 

 excitement the length of the course was not determined upon. So they 

 paddled out until they could just see the tops of the houses. Ku-a-paakaa 

 had asked to stop before this, but they would not listen to him. 



As they turned their canoes around the boy said to them, "If you had 

 chosen a shorter course you might have beaten me. Now I shall win. 

 Already I feel pity for your families." 



The command to start was given. In their excitement the king's fisher- 

 men did not paddle together as skilled paddlers. Seeing their confusion, 

 Ku-a-paakaa knew that he would win. He followed in the swell of their 

 canoe, having only to steer his canoe, ^\'hen the fishermen saw him close 

 behind them they paddled with might and main. 



"Paddle! Paddle for your lives!" called out Ku-a-paakaa. 



As the canoes neared the shore the crowd saw the king's fishermen 

 ahead and a shout of joy went up from their friends. But the fishermen 

 were very weary. Some had dropped their paddles ; some had no strength 

 left to lift the paddles which hung from their hands. Then the boy shot 

 ahead and the cry, "The boy is ahead! He is winning!" aroused anger in 

 the hearts of those who were supporting the king's fishermen. 



After Ku-a-paakaa had touched land, he ran for a surf board and rode 

 the breakers four times as had been arranged. 



\\'hen the eight fishermen had brought their canoe ashore, they threw 

 themselves on the sand and bitterly regretted having wagered their bones. 

 They saw the iinu ready to receive them and knew that death would soon 

 be their fate. A great aloha for their wives, and children, and friends 

 filled their hearts. They wept bitterly as they saw the unknown boy collect- 

 ing the rich rewards of his victory. 



A messenger had hurried to the king with the news of the boy's victory. 

 Then the king remembered the boy who had saved his life and had 

 brought him safely back to Hawaii, and so he sent his servant to conduct 

 the boy to him. 



Ku-a-paakaa gladly hurried into the king's presence. At once the king 

 recognized the bo\' who had saved him from a bitter death at sea and 

 called him to come before him. The boy, remembering the kapu, hesitated, 

 but the king removed the kapii and Ku-a-paakaa crawled before him. The 

 king embraced him and wept over him. regretting that he had forgotten 

 him in his happy return home. 



Then the head steward was called to prepare a meal of the best food 

 from the king's own table. As Ku-a-paakaa ate he told the king how he 

 had lived in the canoe, eating the food left from the voyage. 



