50 KAUAI AND OAHU. 



amusing to a bystander, for the players always evince great eagerness, 

 and during the operation of concealment, the face and eyes are nar- 

 rowly watched by some, while the muscles of the bare arm are by 

 others. So satisfied are they that the eye betrays the place of conceal- 

 ment, 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, but 

 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 two had been hit 

 rather severely, the contest waxed warm, and blows were dealt with- 

 out much ceremony, until the combatants came to close quarters, when 

 the sport ended in a scuffle, which it required the authoritative voice 

 of the governor 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-tempered ; 

 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 themselves 

 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 as to 

 make it necessary to take it out and rebuild it on shore. By using one 

 of the spare topmasts and purchasing a spar, we succeeded in rebuild- 

 ing it. The cheeks and trestle-trees of the Peacock's mast had also to 

 be replaced in consequence of decay. These were vexatious occur- 

 rences, occupying the little time we had to spare, and making it un- 

 certain whether we should be able to perform the remainder of our 

 work. Fortunately, we found at Honolulu good workmen, disposed to 

 afford us all the assistance in their power, and being also well provided 

 ourselves with carpenters, we were enabled to overcome these diffi- 

 culties in time, though at considerable expense. 



