Hawaii — page 55: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

. FS eA. UE a ee YO* jhe . + " . — <i A ; 46 MANNERS AND. CUSTOMS—INHABITANTS. One of the favorite amusements with the common people is the throwing of a blunt, dart, which varies in length from two to five feet, and is thickest about six in- ches from the point, after which it tapers gradually to the cther end. ‘These darts are made of hard wood and are highly polished, They require great care and ingenuity iu the modeling. The ground upon which this game is played is laid off into a court, fifty or sixty yards long. Two or-more darts are laid down, three or four inches apart. ‘The darts are then thrown with great force and exactness along the level ground. He who, in a given number of times; throws his dart most frequently between ~ the stationary darts without striking either of them, wins the game. The play is principally atrial of strength. A mark is made in the ground, at which point the player must throw his dart. With the dart balanced in his hand, he retreats a few yards from the starting point, and then makes a spring forward, and throws it along the ground with great force. All the darts are left in place wherever they strike, until all are thrown, when each player rushes to the end of the course to see which one is most suc- cessful. In throwing darts, casting spears and dodging, the Hawaiians are great experts. Boxing is also a favorite: national game, and is regu-— lated by fixed rules, and umpires. Another popular sport is sliding down hill on a long, narrow sledge. The Hawaiians are also great gamblers, and their faces The female would bet her beads, cloth, beating mallet, and every — portray anxiety and rage when playing. a m G €0 books.com 4 : one « ~ r- fo ue p ‘ ae ae at >< eS ix