Short and clumsy in figure, extremely good-natured and correspondingly slow in thought and action, he was intellectually heavy and dull.

When the demand upon his clan was first formulated, he listened to it like one whom it does not concern, and only gradually came to the conception that the matter was after all of prime importance to him and to those whose interests he had been selected to defend.

Kauaitshe was thunderstruck upon arriving at full comprehension; he was bewildered, and would much rather have run away from the council.

But that was impossible.

He heard the men speak one by one, and--what to him caused most anxiety--he saw the moment approaching when he also would be called upon; and the prospect filled him with dismay.