180 KILAUEA. 



the crater, and when the blast struck their tent, it resembled the dis- 

 charge of light artillery, making the canvass quiver as if it would be 

 rent in ten thousand shreds. After eacli blast a deathlike stillness 

 followed, which served to make the roar of the succeeding one more 

 awful. One of the tents belonging to the men was blown down, but 

 they remained under it, as on a former occasion. In the morning, it 

 was found that many of the panels of the pendulum-house had been 

 hurled several hundred feet, and some of them even broken into 

 splinters. It blew so heavily throughout the day, that these officers 

 were unable to accomplish the remaining duties. 



The 15th proved a delightful day, and they succeeded at an early 

 hour, in accomplishing the work which remained. Sixty or seventy 

 Kanakas made their appearance, who were despatched with the 

 remaining articles. They recollected the clock-case, which had given 

 Mr. Eld so much trouble in ascending, but he now took measures to 

 secure its going in advance, by sending it off first, borne by eight 

 men. Some of these, however, absconded the moment they got out of 

 his sight. It was at last placed under the special care of a chief, and 

 gave ]Mr. Eld no farther trouble. 



Previous to leaving the crater. Lieutenant Budd stationed a man at 

 the flag-staff; three cheers were then given, and the flag hauled 

 down. The walls were left standing, resembling those of a small 

 fortress. There was not one of the party but felt a great satisfaction 

 in leaving this dreary spot, where they had all suffered much from 

 fatigue, cold, and hunger. 



When about departing, these officers observed a Kanaka who, from 

 his taking a wrong direction, appeared to be somewhat bewildered ; but 

 on being called, he gladly took the last remaining load, consisting of 

 some camp equipage and mess utensils, with some provisions. They 

 then left the summit and descended as far as the Recruiting Station, 

 where they stayed over-night. By nightfall, all the articles, including 

 the heavy clock-case, had arrived, but no one had noticed the Kanaka 

 with the calabashes, or thought of him, except to suppose that he 

 would come down in due season, or had actually gone on. Nothing, 

 however, was ever heard of this man ; and although diligent search 

 was made for him for some daj^s after by the natives, yet it resulted 

 in no trace of him, or of any thing that could lead to a knowledge of 

 his actual fate. It is supposed that he must have lost the track, and 

 probably suffered a lingering death. With the exception of the 



