Page:Pele and Hiiaka; a myth from Hawaii (IA pelehiiakamythfr00emeriala).pdf/87



"For shame!" said Hiiaka. "These ghost-gods have been spying on our nakedness, and now they make sport of us."

A great fear came upon the ghosts, that the dread goddess would seize them and pinch out their atomy spark of existence. In their terror, they flew home and, perched on the shoulders of their mother, besought her to interpose in their behalf and appease Hiiaka by a suitable offering of luau.

"There burns a fire," said Wahine-oma'o, as they drew near the house.

"The fire of the ovens built by the ghosts," Hiiaka answered. "They have saved themselves from death."

By the time they reached the house the luau was done to a turn and the tables were spread. Wahine-oma'o made an oblation to the gods and then ate of the viands. Hiiaka did not partake of the food.

Hiiaka now spent several days at Hono-kane, in Kohala, anxiously awaiting the departure of some canoe, by which she might pass over to the island of Maui. While thus absorbed, in a sentimental mood, looking one day across the ocean at the misty outline of the distant land, she saw a man of remarkable appearance strike out from one headland of the bay to swim to the opposite point. Her admiration for his physical beauty and his daring performance drew from her a song: