Page:Pele and Hiiaka; a myth from Hawaii (IA pelehiiakamythfr00emeriala).pdf/62

 others, encouraging her with their looks. The sight, while it cheered, wrung from her a fervent prayer:

"Our sister is in trouble," said Ka-moho-alii, "let us go to her assistance!" Such was the call of Ka-moho-alii when he saw his little friend and quondam protegé Hiiaka in trouble, and theirs were the god-forms that sailed through the sky to reenforce her.

The bird-spies sent out by Pana-ewa brought back contradictory reports. The first pair reported that Hiiaka was being worsted. Soon after another pair, garbling the facts, said "Our people are lying down, but they are still alert and keep their eyes open. As for Hiiaka, she has fallen into a deep sleep."

The situation was far from satisfactory and Pana-ewa despatched another pair of birds to reconnoitre and report. It was not yet morning and the night was dark; and they accordingly took the form of kukui trees, thinking thus to illuminate the scene of operations. The intelligence they brought was confounding: "Our people," they said, "are all dead, save those who have the form of kukui trees. Hiiaka lies quietly sleeping in the road."

This account, though strictly in accord with the facts, was so disconcerting to Pana-ewa that he burst forth in a rage, "Slaves, liars! you're deceiving me. I'll wring your necks!" and he reached out to execute his threat. The birds eluded him and found safety in flight.