30 
SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
that year ships frequently touched there. The natives, 
profiting by their intercourse with them, had become so 
sensible of the utility of our vessels, that they had boldly 
attacked a brig and a snow; and actually did possess them¬ 
selves of a small American schooner, the crew of which, 
with the exception of one man, they murdered. Isaac 
Davies, the fortunate person who escaped, was mate of the 
vessel. He had been ashore at the time of the capture, 
and took refuge with the king of Hawaii, who treated him 
most kindly, and in whose service he remained. 
Meantime king Teraiopu was dead, and a son of his, 
named Kevalao # , had succeeded him as Eree-tabu, or the 
sacred chief. It appears that this man treated his subjects 
tyrannically; and it is said, that if between sunrise; and sun¬ 
set any of the lower order were so unfortunate as to look 
upon him, even by accident, they incurred death j-. His 
* Vancouver calls this person Teamawheere; Ellis calls him Kauikeouli, 
or Kavarao, and says he was Teraiopu’! eldest son; if so, he was the Teewaroo 
of Cook’s Voyages. He is perhaps the same son of whom Captain King says 
Teraiopu was exceedingly fond, but whose succession to the crown appeared 
doubtful, because the mother was a woman of no rank. This circumstance 
may account for his not being king of the whole Island. 
f The veiling the face from respect, or not looking on a superior, giving 
the idea that he is too resplendent to look on and live, is neither an uncom¬ 
mon nor an unnatural idea. There is an example of it in the book of Job, and 
in others of the sacred writings. In Denham’s late travels in Africa, we find 
that all courtiers, in a certain negro monarchy, sit with their backs to the king, 
