158 M A U N A L O A. 



I have always admired the care and attachment which sailors show 

 for each other ; even the most reckless are constant in their attentions 

 to their messmates, when ill. I have never yet seen them neglect each 

 other under these circumstances. Many instances of their disinterest- 

 edness and feeling that came under my observation on the mountain 

 might be mentioned, did I not feel it would be a digression from the 

 course of the narrative, that would not be allowable. 



The only account that Longley could give me was, that being sick, 

 he had lain down near the path, and was unable to move afterwards : 

 he endeavoured to make signals to those he saw passing, but could 

 attract no attention. 



At about four o'clock we reached the Recruiting Station, having 

 encountered the boxes and various articles, together with pieces of the 

 portable house, strewed along the way. These had been left by the 

 natives, who deserted en masse when tliose who had left me the 

 first night came down giving exaggerated accounts of the cold, and 

 other difficulties of the journey. I found Lieutenant Budd quite 

 well, and only a few of the men that were with him sick : tiiey had 

 little or no provisions. 



The difference of temperature between the altitude of fourteen 

 thousand and nine thousand feet was very apparent : we could now 

 enjoy sitting in the open air without feeling cold ; it was as if we had 

 passed at once from winter to spriiig. Although, ten days before, I 

 had looked upon this spot as particularly barren, being destitute of 

 vegetation and Avithout water, yet, by comparison with the upper 

 station which Ave had just left, every thing now appeared comfortable. 

 It had been chosen, as I have said before, for a very remarkable cave, 

 Avhich had noAv become our hospital, and which was found dry, warm, 

 and large enough to have accommodated the whole party. All the 

 sick Avere immediately transported here, and placed under the super- 

 intendence of Dr. Judd and his assistants. The men here had pro- 

 cured a large turtle-shell fi-om the natives, and in commemoration of 

 their jaunt, engraved on it all their names, and nailed it to a staff, 

 which they erected at the mouth of the cave. 



We passed the night Avith Lieutenant Budd, and although the lava 

 floor of the tent was a rough bed, we seldom enjoyed so sound a sleep. 



After arranging every thing relative to the provisions, Avhen they 

 should arrive, and visiting the sick Avith Dr. Judd, I determined to 

 return to the top. The doctor remained for a day or tAvo, to arrange 

 matters with the natives at the lower station, so as to have our supplies 



