veral peacocks sunning themselves on a wall near the
house; but none of them condescended to spread their beautiful feathers
for us to admire. Before the house are two large stone idols, the only
ones we saw on the islands.

"Are they worshiped, aunty?" asked Alice.

No, they are placed there as curiosities.

Grandpa and Mr. Judd had an engagement, and started before us. Grandma
rode in Mr. Judd's wagon, and we left Mr. Moffatt's about two.

XVIII.

Oahu.

The next day at four, I took my customary seat, surrounded by my little
group, and resumed my narrative.

* * * * *

About ten miles from Kahuku, at Hauula, is a church with a native
pastor,--Mr. Kuaia. We attended a meeting there, and afterward dined at
his house. He is a well-educated and gentlemanly man, and his wife an
interesting woman. They live in a neat grass house, furnished simply but
comfortably in American style. The dinner passed off in a very
satisfactory manner. They had pretty wreaths prepared for us; some were
made of a small orange-colored apple, others of yellow marigolds strung
on a cord. After dinner we rode another ten miles, and were tired enough
with our long day's ride to sleep well.

The next morning we rode over to the house of a friend to see the
lassoing of cattle. The house was on quite an eminence, so that we had a
good view of a level plain before it. A herd of cattle were driven into
the valley, and three gentlemen on trained horses, with lassos in their
hands, each selected their animal, and started in pursuit. It seemed as
if in an instant the creature knew it was hunted, for it would move from
place to place, and then start on a run, endeavoring to elude its
pursuers; but the horseman, never for a moment losing sight of his prey,
galloped on, turning this way and that as the creature did, until near
enough, and then the lasso sped through the air coiling round and round
the poor animal's legs, generally throwing him on his knees. Then the
hunter leaped from his saddle, the intelligent horse standing still, and
the lasso was drawn tighter and tighter until the animal fell on his
side. Finally, a rope was tied round the hind legs, and the work was
done. It was very exciting, as once in a while a horse would stumble and
fall, sometimes throwing his rider; and oftentimes the chase was long,
the animal eluding the hunter's grasp just as he thought he had cornered
him.

"Oh, I wish I had