1/79. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 103 



saw none of the inhabitants. Having penetrated 

 near three miles into the second wood, they came to 

 two huts, where they stopped, exceedingly fatigued 

 with the day's journey, having walked not less than 

 twenty miles, according to their own computation. 

 As they had met with no springs from the time they 

 left the plantation-ground, and began to suffer much 

 from the violence of their thirst, they were obliged, 

 before thejnight came on, to separate into parties, and 

 go in search of water ; and at last found some left 

 by rain in the bottom of an unfinished canoe; which, 

 though of the colour of red wine, was to them no un- 

 welcome discovery. In the night, the cold was still 

 more intense than they had found it before; and, 

 though they had wrapped themselves up in mats and 

 cloths of the country, and kept a large fire between 

 the two huts, they could yet sleep but very little; 

 and were obliged to walk about the greatest part of 

 the night. 



Their elevation was now probably pretty consider- 

 able, as the ground on which they had travelled, had 

 been generally on the ascent. 



On the 29th, at day break, they set out, intending 

 to make their last and utmost effort to reach the 

 snowy mountain; but their spirits were much de- 

 pressed, when they found they had expended the 

 miserable pittance of water, they had found the night 

 before. The path, which extended no farther than 

 where canoes had been built, was now at an end ; and 

 they were therefore obliged to make their way as well 

 as they could; every now and then climbing up into 

 the highest trees to explore the country round. At 

 eleven o'clock, they came to a ridge of burnt stones, 

 from the top of which they saw the snowy mountain, 

 appearing to be about twelve or fourteen miles from 



them. 



It was here deliberated whether they should pro- 

 ceed any further, or rest satisfied with the view 

 they now had of Mouna Roa. The road, ever since 



H if 



