AWFUL DEATH BY A SHARK. 225 
“ At nine o'clock in the morning of June 14th, 
1826, while sitting at my writing-desk, I heard a 
simultaneous scream from multitudes of people, 
Pau i ka memo! Pau i ka mano! “ Destroyed by 
the shark! Destroyed by the shark!” The beach 
was instantly lined by hundreds of persons, 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 bil¬ 
lows, as they approached the beach. 
“ The 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. 
u 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 
Q 
