im where he had learned
that song. The young man answered he had learned it from Kahalaopuna,
the famous Manoa beauty, who was a friend of his sister's and who was
now on a visit at their house. Kauhi, knowing the owl had deserted the
body of the girl, felt certain that she was really dead, and accused
the other of telling a lie. This led to an angry and stormy scene,
when the antagonists were parted by orders of the King.

The next night found them both at the kilu house, when the second
of Kahalaopuna's songs was sung, and another angry discussion took
place. Again they were separated by others. On the third night,
the third song having been sung, the dispute between the young men
became so violent that Kauhi told the young man that the Kahalaopuna
he knew must be an impostor, as the real person of that name was dead,
to his certain knowledge. He dared him to produce the young woman whom
he had been representing as Kahalaopuna; and should she not prove to
be the genuine one then his life should be the forfeit, and on the
other hand, if it should be the real one, then he, Kauhi, should be
declared the liar and pay for his insults to the other with his life.

This was just what the young man had been scheming to compass, and
he quickly assented to the challenge, calling on the King and chiefs
to take notice of the terms of agreement, and to see that they were
enforced.

On the appointed day Kahalaopuna went to Waikiki, attended by her
parents, relatives, servants, and the two spirit sisters, who had
assumed human form for that day so as to accompany their friend and
advise her in case of necessity. Akaaka, the grandfather, who had been
residing in Waikiki some little time previous to the dispute between
the young men, was appointed one of the judges at the approaching
trial.

Kauhi had consulted the priests and sorcerers of his family as to
the possibility of the murdered girl having assumed human shape for
the purpose of working him some injury. Kaea, a famous priest and
seer of his family, told him to have the large leaves of the a-pe
(_Calladium costatum_) spread where Kahalaopuna and party were to be
seated. If she was a spirit, she would not be able to tear the a-pe
leaf on which she would be seated, but if human, the leaf or leaves
would be torn. With the permission of the King, this was done. The
latter, surrounded by the highest chiefs and a vast assemblage from
all parts of the island, was there to witness