PELE AND KAHAVARI. 301 
numbers of the people collected at the bottom of 
the hill, to witness the game; and a company of 
musicians and dancers repaired to the spot, to 
add to the amusement of the spectators. The 
buskined youths had begun their dance, and, 
amidst the sound of the drums, and the songs of 
the musicians, the horua commenced between 
Kahavari and his favourite. Pele, the goddess of 
the volcano, came down from Kirauea, to witness 
the sport. She stood on the top of the hill, in the 
form of a woman, and challenged Kahavari to 
slide with her. He accepted the offer, and they 
set off together down the hill. Pele, less ac¬ 
quainted with the art of balancing herself on the 
narrow sledge than her rival, was beaten, and 
Kahavari was applauded by the spectators as he 
returned up the side of the hill. 
Before they started again, Pele asked him to 
give her his papa. He, supposing from her ap¬ 
pearance that she was no more than a native 
woman, said, Aore , no ! “ Are you my wife, that 
you should obtain my sledge ?” and, as if impatient 
at being delayed, adjusted his papa, ran a few 
yards to take a spring, and then, with all his 
strength, threw himself upon it, and shot down 
the hill. Pel6, incensed at his answer, stamped 
on the ground, and an earthquake followed, which 
rent the hill in sunder. She called, and fire and 
liquid lava arose, and, assuming her supernatural 
form, with these irresistible ministers of vengeance 
she followed down the hill. When Kahavari 
reached the bottom of the hill, he arose, and, on 
looking behind, saw Pele, accompanied by thunder 
and lightning, earthquake, and streams of burning 
lava, closely pursuing him. He took up his broad 
spear, which he had stuck in the ground at the 
