60 K A U A I A N D O A H U. 



five. He who conceals it sits on one side of the bundles, while those 

 playing occupy a place opposite to him. The bundles are usually of 

 different colours, and about the size of a pillow. Each player has a 

 stick three feet long, ornamented with a feather or cloth, with which 

 each in turn designates the bundle under which he thinks the stone 

 is hidden, by a blow. If the guess be correct, it counts one in his 

 favour ; if wrong, he who has concealed it gains one. He who first 

 counts ten wins the game. This game appears very simple, and one 

 would be inclined to believe it all luck, until the game is witnessed ; 

 it is really amusing to a bystander, for the players always evince 

 great eagerness, and during the operation of concealment, the face 

 and eyes are narrowly watched by some, while the muscles of the 

 bare arm are by others. So satisfied are they that the eye betrays 

 the place of concealment, that the hider covers his eyes until he hears 

 the stroke of the rod. An expert player is rarely deceived, however 

 often the hand may be passed to and fro under the bundles. This 

 game is now played for pigs, tapa, taro, &c. 



The governor gave us an exhibition of throwing the lance, which 

 he said had formerly been a favourite amusement of all the people, 

 hut was now practised only by the soldiers. The lance or spear is 

 formed of a pole of the hibiscus, from seven to nine feet in length, 

 on the larger end of which is a small roll of tapa. The exhibition 

 was in the fort, where several soldiers had prepared themselves for 

 the exercise. One of them placed himself at a distance of fifteen or 

 twenty paces from three or four others, who endeavoured to hit him. 

 He evaded the spears by throwing his body on one side, stooping, 

 and dodging, in a very graceful manner. After this they were 

 ordered to divide, and began throwing at each other, until, when one 

 or t-wo had been hit rather severely, the contest waxed Avarm, and 

 blows were dealt without much ceremony, until the combatants came 

 to close quarters, when the sport ended in a scufiie, v^■hich it required 

 the authoritative voice of the o-overnor to terminate. 



This scene was highly amusing, and was the only occasion during 

 my stay at the islands, in which I saw any temper shown, or any dis- 

 position to fight. The natives, indeed, are remarkably good-tem- 

 pered ; and many persons long resident here stated to me they very 

 seldom quarrelled with each other. I have observed that when they 

 see another in a passion they generally laugh, although they them- - 

 selves may be the object of it. 



In the latter part of October, when the Vincennes had nearly 

 finished her repairs, it was discovered that her foremast was so rotten 



