114 
VOYAGE TO THE 
ever to appear in the native costume; so that the pau was 
used to-day merely as a covering for her seat. 
Behind the sofa of the young chiefs were the four Ka- 
hiles, or, as we may call them, royal ensigns. The handles 
are beautifully ornamented with the polished teeth of ma¬ 
rine animals, mother-of-pearl, and tortoise-shell; and the 
ensigns themselves are of the most beautiful and rare fea¬ 
thers, arranged with skill and elegance, fourteen feet long. 
Kahumanu, the queen-mother, with the other superior 
female ariis, sat next the princess, and, with the other 
chiefs, formed two lines to the door of entrance. The men 
were dressed in European mourning clothes ; the women in 
black silk dresses—the only part of native costume being 
their beautiful feather chaplets and necklaces. Several of 
them had adorned their dark hair with pearl combs, and 
many wore shoes and stockings. Opposite to the queens, 
and a little in front of the chiefs, sat Karaimoku in a large 
chair. The venerable man was dressed in black silk, the 
upper garment being a full loose gown. On either side 
of his chair were seats for Lord Byron, the consul, and the 
officers. All the chiefs, except the king, the regent, and 
the princess, received us standing. We were all struck with 
the mild and intelligent countenance of Karaimokq, and 
the self-possession of his manners, especially in receiving 
