THROUGH HAWAII. 
147 
to be humane, or any of the vanquished had formerly 
been on terms of friendship with him, avoiding care¬ 
fully the warriors, an individual, risking his life on the 
conqueror’s clemency, would lie in wait for him in his 
walks, and prostrating himself in his path, supplicate 
his compassion, or rush into his house, and throw him¬ 
self on the ground before him. Though any one might 
have killed him, while on his way thither, none dare 
touch him within the king’s enclosure, without his 
orders. When the king did not speak, or directed the 
fugitive to be carried from his presence, which was 
very unusual, he was taken out and slain. Generally 
the prince spoke to the individual who had thus thrown 
himself into his power; and if he did but speak, or only 
recognize him, he was secure. He might either join the 
retinue of the sovereign, or return to his own house. No 
one would molest him, as he was under maru , shade, 
or screening protection of the king. These individuals, 
influenced by feelings of gratitude, generally attached 
themselves to the persons or interest of the prince by 
whom they had been saved, and frequently proved, 
through subsequent life, the most faithful attendants 
on his person, and steady adherents to his cause. 
When the vanquished were completely routed, or 
nearly cut off, their country was hoopahora, portioned 
out, by the conqueror, among the chiefs and warriors 
who had been his companions in the war, by whom it 
was settled. The wives and children of those whom 
they had defeated were frequently made slaves, and at¬ 
tached to the soil for its cultivation, and, together with 
the captives, treated with great cruelty. But when there 
had been a great loss on both sides, or one party wish¬ 
ed for peace, an ambassador with a young plantain 
