“Rebellion!” repeated Hakau, angrily. “Does he expect to be able to maintain himself in Hilo?”
“His aims reach beyond Hilo,” ventured the priest.
“To Puna?”
“Beyond Puna.”
“To Kau?”
“Beyond Kau.”
“Then he must aim at the whole island,” exclaimed Hakau, savagely.
“At the whole island,” repeated the priest, maliciously.
“He shall have land enough to bury him, and no more!” hissed the king. “But you are croakers, both of you. Before considering your advice I shall consult Laeanui and the seers of Paakalani, and hear what the gods say of this wide-spread conspiracy, as your fears and cowardice tell the story.”
Hakau abruptly dismissed the priests, and despatched a messenger for the high-priest Laeanui, but it was late in the afternoon before he could be found. He was old and venerable in appearance, and his hair, white as the snows of Mauna Kea, fell to his knees, covering his shoulders like a veil.