300 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
foremost end, though in general only a small part 
for the breast to rest on is covered. At the fore¬ 
most end there is a space of about two inches 
between the runners, but they widen gradually 
towards the hinder part, where they are distant 
from each other four or five inches. The person 
about to slide grasps the small side-stick firmly 
with his right hand, somewhere about the middle, 
runs a few yards to the brow of the hill, or start¬ 
ing-place, where he grasps it with his left hand, 
and at the same time, with all his strength throw¬ 
ing himself forward, falls flat upon it, and slides 
down the hill, his hands retaining their hold of 
the side-sticks, and his feet being fixed against 
the hindermost cross-piece of the sledge. Much 
practice and address are necessary, to assume and 
keep an even balance on so narrow a vehicle, yet 
a man accustomed to the sport will throw himself, 
with velocity and apparent ease, a hundred and 
fifty or two hundred yards down the side of a gra¬ 
dually sloping hill. 
About three o’clock we resumed our journey, 
and soon reached Kula, a romantic spot, where 
Kahavari took leave of his sister. The hill on 
which he was sliding when he incurred the dis¬ 
pleasure of the terrible goddess, the spot where he 
rested, and first saw her pursuing him, were visible; 
and the traditionary story of his encounter with 
Pele is so interesting, that we think we shall be 
pardoned for inserting it. 
In the reign of Keariikukii, an ancient king of 
Hawaii, Kahavari, chief of Puna, and one of his 
punahele , (favourite companions,) went one day to 
amuse themselves at the horua on the sloping side 
of a hill, which is still called Ka horita-ana o 
Kahavari , (the sliding place of Kahavari.) Vast 
