THROUGH HAWAII. 
89 
built of lava, and apparently entire. In the upper part 
of the wall are apertures resembling embrasures ; but 
they could not have been designed for cannon, that 
being an engine of war with which the natives have but 
recently become acquainted. The part of the wall now 
standing, is near the mouth of Raniakea, the spacious 
cavern already mentioned, which formed a valuable 
appendage to the fort. In this cavern, children and 
aged persons were placed for security during an as¬ 
sault or sally from the fort, and sometimes the wives of 
the warriors also, when they did accompany their 
husbands to the battle. The fortification was probably 
extensive, as traces of the ancient walls are discover¬ 
able in several places; but what were its original di¬ 
mensions, the natives who were with us could not tell. 
They asserted, however, that the cavern, if not the fort 
also, was formerly surrounded by a strong palisade. 
In the afternoon we waited on the governor, accord¬ 
ing to appointment; made him acquainted with our ar¬ 
rangements, and solicited the accommodation of a boat, 
or canoe, to carry our baggage, and a man acquainted 
with the island, to act as guide, and to procure provi¬ 
sions, offering him, at the same time, any remuneration 
he might require for such assistance. A/ter inquiring 
what baggage we intended to take, and how long we 
expected to bh absent from Kairua, he generously of¬ 
fered to send a canoe as far as it could go with safety, 
and also to furnish a guide for the whole tour without 
any recompense whatever. He recommended that we 
should take a few articles for barter, as, occasionally, 
we might perhaps be obliged to purchase our food, or 
hire men to carry our baggage. After thanking him 
for his kindness, we returned. 
N 
