s
betrothed to the chief of Kauai?"

"She is here," answered the natives of the place.

They went to meet the princess of Hana.

The messengers said to the princess, "We have been sent hither to tell
you the command of your betrothed husband. You have three months to
prepare for the marriage, and in February, on the night of the
seventeenth, the night of Kulu, he will come to meet you, according to
the oath between you."

When the princess had heard these words the messengers returned and came
to Aiwohikupua.

Asked the chief, "Did you two meet Poliahu?"

"Yes," said the messengers, "we told her, as you commanded, to prepare
herself; Poliahu inquired, 'Does he still remember the game of _konane_
between us?'"

"Perhaps so," answered the messengers.

When Aiwohikupua heard the messengers' words he suspected that they had
not gone to Poliahu; then Aiwohikupua asked to make sure, "How did you
two fly?"

Said they, "We flew past an island, flew on to some long islands--a
large, island like the one we first passed, two little islands like one
long island, and a very little island; we flew along the east coast of
that island and came to a house below the hills covered with shade;
there we found Poliahu; that was how it was."

Said Aiwohikupua, "You did not find Poliahu; this was Hinaikainalama."

Now for this mistake of the messengers the rage of Aiwohikupua was
stirred against his messengers, and they ceased to be among his
favorites.

At this, Snipe and his companion decided to tell the secrets prohibited
to the two by their master. Now how they carried out their intrigue, you
will see in Chapter XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.

After the dismissal of Snipe and his fellow, the chief dispatched
Frigate-bird, one of his nimble messengers, with the same errand as
before.

Frigate-bird went to Poliahu; when they met, Frigate-bird gave the
chief's command, according to the words spoken in Chapter XVII of this
story. Having given his message, the messenger returned and reported
aright; then his lord was pleased.

Aiwohikupua waited until the end of the third month; the chief took his
underchiefs and his favorites and the women of his household and other
companions suitable to go with their renowned lord in all his royal
splendor on an expedition for the marriage of chiefs.

On the twenty-fourth day of the month Aiwohikupua left Kauai, sailed
with 40 double canoes, twice 40 single canoes, and 20 provision bo