128 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Kakuaokalani, though he had no share in the 
government, yet had, in common with the other 
high chiefs, received a charge concerning the gods. 
Urged on by the priests, who promised him vic¬ 
tory, by a superstitious reverence for the idols of 
his ancestors, and perhaps also by a hope of de¬ 
feating Rihoriho, and securing the government to 
himself, he took up arms. 
The abolition of idolatry by Rihoriho was thus 
the immediate occasion of the war, which termi¬ 
nating in his favour, left him sole monarch of the 
Sandwich Islands. This was the summit of his 
ambition, and the consummation of his wishes, 
though probably the least among the all-wise and 
benevolent purposes of Him, who ruleth all things 
after the counsel of his own will, and causeth even 
the wrath of man to praise him. Little did the 
pagan chief imagine, when he collected his forces, 
offered his sacrifices, and, preceded by his war- 
god, marched to the battle, that he was urging on 
his way to remove the most formidable barrier that 
existed to the introduction of a religion which 
should finally triumph over every system of ido¬ 
latry in the world ; and as little did the victorious 
chiefs, when they beheld themselves masters of 
the field, and returned in triumph to the king, 
think that success had only prepared the way for 
their own subjection to a Prince, whose heralds 
(then on their way) should soon proclaim his laws 
in their camp, and demand their allegiance to his 
crown;—whose divine power should erect among 
them a kingdom, of which they themselves should 
delight to become subjects, and commence a reign 
that should be everlasting. 
Leaving Tuamoo, we passed on to Honuaino, 
where, being thirsty and weary, we sat down on 
