"'What difference should that make, if she is greater and more skilful than you?' was her answer.
"The chief was angered, but he only replied, 'Then take my friend's sledge and make ready.'
"And so these two, the chief and the strange, beautiful woman, rushed down the hillside. For a single moment she lost her balance, and the chief reached the goal first.
"How the people cheered and shouted! But the woman silently pointed toward the top, as much as to say, 'Let us have one more trial.'
"Again the chief climbed the hillside, this time with the woman by his side. As they were about to start once more, the stranger exclaimed:
"'Your sledge is better than mine; if you wish to be just, you will exchange yours for mine.'
"'Why should I?' answered the chief. 'I do not know you. You are not a sister or wife of mine.' And he turned without further heed and flung himself down the steep descent, supposing the woman was also on the way.
"But not so! She stamped her foot upon the ground, and suddenly a stream of burning lava poured forth and rushed down the hillside. The chief reached the foot of the hill and turned to see the fiery torrent destroying everything in its way.
"Too late, he understood everything now. The strange woman was none other than the goddess Pele, who had taken this form to sport with men. He had angered her, and she was about to destroy him and all his people.
"And look! There rode the goddess, herself, on the crest of the foremost wave of lava. What should he do? He instantly turned aside and fled with his friend to a small hill from which he could see the awful death of his people.