Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/602

 254 Journal of American Folk-Lore.

gathered together at a place far upland. On inquiring the cause, he is told that they have assembled to hold a boxing-match. He desires to look on, and, having had the double canoe made secure, ascends to the spot, together with his counsellor and attendants. On his approach the assembly breaks up, inasmuch as all present are anxious to obtain a view of his handsome person. Presently they assemble, and in an orderly manner take their places in a circle, while Aiwo- hikupua remains standing under the shade of a near and widely branching tree. Presently a chief named Ihuanu steps into the ring, and boastfully challenges any one present to the combat. None dares accept. While moving about inside the ring, he sees Aiwohi- kupua standing under the tree, and calls out to him : " Oh, stranger, shall you and I have some sport?" " Yes," replies Aiwohikupua, " if you take two others with you, then I shall think it worth while to engage you." Hearing this, a man approaches him from behind, and says : " Speak not thus to Ihuanu ; no one has ever contended with him without serious injury." Aiwohikupua turns round on his interlocutor, and gives him a slap with the open hand, which, how- ever, lays him dead on the earth. On seeing this, the friends of Ihuanu crowd round him, begging him not to engage an opponent of such force. Their prayers only further excite the boastful humor of Ihuanu, who answers angrily, and on looking round, sees Aiwo- hikupua approaching, and also observes a boy on the outskirts of the assembly who has taken an indecent attitude. Him he points out to Aiwohikupua, saying: "Here is your fit opponent." So enraged is Aiwohikupua at the grossness of the affront, that his blood rushes to the surface of his body, and reddens the skin all over. He steps aside, kneels down, and naming his gods, offers prayer to them. " Oh ye heavenly ones, this day look down on me your child, the flower that remains to you on earth, shed down strength upon me ! Cause Ihuanu's sport to pass harmless by, and I pray you give me his head for my men to sport with, that all this assembly may see that I am the conqueror (amamd) ! May it be accomplished quickly and with power ! " He then stands up, and facing Ihuanu, tells him to strike first. This Ihuanu does, aiming at the face, but Aiwohikupua, by a swift movement, eludes the blow, feeling only its wind on his cheek. Instantly follows the return blow of Aiwohikupua, which falls on the chest of his opponent with such force as to break through it, and fell him dead on the spot. Then ensues a great crowding and lamenta- tion for his death, in the midst of which Aiwohikupua cuts off the head and gives it to his attendants, as he had prayed he might be able to do. 1

This, you will say, is exceedingly savage ; but the Greeks scarcely 1 This interesting episode is barely noted in Myths and Legends, p. 461.

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