This man on thy terrace, Hoa-lii.
Pele’s fire-brigade went through the form of obeying their orders. They dared not do otherwise. Acting, however, on their preconcerted plan, they contented themselves with casting a few cinders on the reclining form of Lohiau and, then, shamefaced, they ran away—an action that had the appearance of reproof rather than of punishment.
The effect on the mind of Hiiaka, whose insight into the character of Pele was deeper than that of Lohiau, was far different from that of mere admonition or reproof. She recognized in the falling cinders a threat of the direst import and at once braced herself to the task of averting the coming storm and of disarming the thundercloud that was threatening her lover. “Have you not some prayer to offer?” she said to Lohiau.
“Yes,” he answered, and at her request he uttered the following:
Ua wela Pu’u-lena i ke ahi;
Ua wela ka mauna ou, e Kahuna.
Uwé au, puni ’a i ke awa;
Kilohi aku au o ka mauna o ka Lua,
E haoa mai ana ke a;