MAUN A LOA. 125 



as well as the management of the natives, to Dr. Judd, I had nothing 

 to do but look on. 



In consequence of the absence of Kalumo, the natives had an oppor- 

 tunity of trying the weight of some of the bundles, and before he was 

 forthcoming, many of the lightest loads had very adroitly been carried 

 off. No person, who has not seen a large collection of South Sea 

 natives, can imagine the noise and confusion that prevailed. Many 

 natives belonging to Kanuha's district had not been engaged, and 

 were of course on the spot, to look on, talk, and dispute. 



In consequence of the conduct of Kalumo, it was soon found that 

 there would be many loads for which we had no bearers, and these 

 were, of course, all those of bulk and weight ; but how to remedy this 

 state of things was beyond our power to conceive. To stop those who 

 had gone on, and oblige them to return, was impossible. Several 

 hours of the day had already been employed in making up the loads, 

 and the day was fast wearing away ; for two o'clock had now arrived. 

 Recourse was had to Kanuha, the chief of Hilo, who had the name 

 of being a great extortioner. He came, and as he well understood 

 our situation, showed his modesty in asking only twice as much as 

 had been promised to those who had gone before. There was, how- 

 ever, no remedy, and the bargain was made ; but it was some conso- 

 lation that the loads his people took were twice as heavy as those 

 the others bore. 



It was amusing to see how this chief operated with his people. 

 Numbers of bearers were soon obtained, and the loads sent off without 

 any further difficulty. The character of Kanuha for energy had not 

 been acquired without some reason, and his authority over those be- 

 longing to his district was fully evident. I was delighted when I saw 

 the last package off, and the whole of the bearers winding their way 

 on the road for the mountain. The officers who had been assigned 

 to the different detachments, received orders not to suffer any to stray 

 from the path. 



At a short distance from Waiakea, we passed the royal fish-ponds, 

 from which, during my stay at Hilo, by order of the king, my table 

 was constantly supplied with the fine fresh-water mullet that had 

 been taken from the sea when small, as before described. I have fre- 

 quently had an opportunity of tasting both kinds at the same meal; 

 and I was not quite so well convinced of the superiority of the 

 fresh over the salt-water fish as the natives appear to be. The diffe- 

 rence, however, may be much greater when they are eaten raw, which 



VOL. IV. 32 



