‘ ‘Notice of Hawaii, (Owyhee,) and its Volcanic Regions, §e. 233 
cending from it was discerned at a much greater distance (ten or 
twelve miles,) than on my former visit; and was so massive in its 
columns, as to promise a high state of action. . I regretted to ascer- 
tain, that the only hut now standing, in which we could find shelter, 
‘was at a different place from that which we had occupied in 1825; 
and that, in going to it, we should approach the crater in a different, 
and less striking manner. I was wishing to have all my first impres- 
sions and emotions renewed ; and, in the disappointment, almost lost 
the wildness and beauty of the more gradual descent of the preci- 
Pices, which we were making, by a path which branched off from 
the old one, just as we were. coming upon them. The nearness of 
night, and a threatning appearance of. rain, however, left me no al- 
termative—and I hastened on with my companions, to catch a first 
View, under whatever advantages the new approach might offer. _. 
~Qur arrival at the volcano was more sudden than I had expected 
ittobe. Thad been looking for some more abrupt descent than any 
we had yet made, and was straining my eyes into the vast body of 
thick and heated smoke—tising high to heaven and spreading widely 
over the whole hemisphere to the south—for at least a glimpse of 
- the tremendous gulf from which it issued; when almost_ without 
warning, we found ourselves entering heavy currents of steam, rising 
tapidly. from crevices and deep fissures about our path, and extend- 
ing, at intervals, on one side, to the smoke from the crater, and on 
the other, to a low precipice, flanking our right. On turning towards 
the latter it was seen in many places, even to its very top, to smoke 
like a coal-kiln. ‘The whole surface of the level on which we were 
—a plain a mile in length and half a mile in. breadth, inclosed on 
the edge of the crater by a sweep of the precipice—exhibited, in a 
steater or less degree, the same evidences of wide-spread subter- 
- Fanean burnings. ae 
_ The trade-wind blew freshly, and swept the dense steam and 
highly heated air, bursting from the ground, m strong currents and 
Whirling eddies across our path; and, at the same time, bore before 
above, a thick and gloomy scud from the sea, flying so low as to 
brush swiftly through the trees on the top of the precipice, and, at 
limes, to be scarce above our heads. Every thing wore.a foreboding 
and saddening aspect : and, whatever I felt I had lost in a clear and 
distant view—like that enjoyed when with Lord Byron—the sight of 
Me hut, which was to be our sleeping place, still far ahead, and, seem- 
mgly, in the midst-of the admonitory signs of a dangerous substra- 
ee 
