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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
and a few of the most resolute threw a large canoe into 
the water, and alike regardless of the shark, and the 
high rolling surf, sprang to the relief of their companion. 
It was too late. The shark had already seized his prey. 
The affecting sight was only a few yards from my door, 
and while I stood watching, a large wave almost filled the 
canoe, and at the same instant a part of the mangled 
body was seen at the bow of the canoe, and the shark 
swimming towards it at her stern. When the swell had 
rolled by, the water was too shallow for the shark to 
swim. The remains, therefore, were taken into the 
canoe, and brought ashore. The water was so much 
stained by the blood, that We discovered a red tinge in 
all the foaming billows, as they approached the beach. 
'^Fhe unhappy sufferer was an active lad about fourteen 
years old, who left my door only about half an hour 
previous to the fatal accident. I saw his mother, in the 
extremity of her anguish, plunge into the water, and 
swim towards the bloody spot, entirely forgetful of the 
power of her former god.^' 
A number of people, perhaps a hundred, were at this 
time playing in the surf, which was higher than usual. 
Those who were nearest to the victim heard him shriek, 
perceived him to strike with his right hand, and at 
the same instant saw a shark seize his arm. Then 
followed the cry which I heard, which echoed from one 
end of Lahaina to the other. All who were playing in 
the water made the utmost speed to the shore, and those 
who were standing on the beach saw the surf-board of 
the unhappy sufferer floating on the water, without any 
one to guide it. When the canoe reached the spot, they 
saw nothing but the blood with which the water was 
stained for a considerable distance, and by which they 
