310 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, 
accompanied by such extravagant gestures, that 
only here and there a word could be under-* 
stood. Indeed, towards the close, she appeared 
to lose all command of herself. When she had 
done, I told her she was mistaken in supposing 
any supernatural being resided in the volcano; 
that Pele was a creature of their own invention, 
and existed only in the imagination of her kahu, 
or devotees: adding, that volcanoes, and all their 
accompanying phenomena, were under the power¬ 
ful control of Jehovah, who, though uncreated 
himself, was the Creator and Supporter of heaven 
and earth, and every thing she beheld. She re¬ 
plied, that it was not so. She did not dispute that 
Jehovah was a God, but that he was not the only 
God. Pele was a goddess, and dwelt in her, and 
through her would heal the sick chief then pre¬ 
sent. She wished him restored, and therefore 
came to visit him. I said I also wished Maaro to 
recover; but if he did recover, it would be by the 
favour of Jehovah, and that I hoped he would 
acknowledge him, and seek to him alone, as he 
was the only true Physician, who could save both 
body and soul, making the latter happy in another 
world, when this world, with all its volcanoes, 
mountains, and oceans, should cease to exist. 
I then advised her, and all present, to forsake 
their imaginary deity, whose character was dis¬ 
tinguished by all that was revengeful and de¬ 
structive, and accept the offers Jehovah had made 
them by his servants, that they might be happy 
now, and escape the everlasting death that would 
overtake all the idolatrous and wicked. 
Assuming a haughty air, she said, “ I am Pele ; 
I shall never die; and those who follow me, when 
they die, if part of their bones be taken to Kirauea, 
