SANDWICH ISLANDS. 199 



In the evening, Mr. Williamson, gunner, reported that he 

 saw on shore, Mr. Sanford and a man named McDonald, who 

 was so lame as scarce to be able to walk. 



December 24th. This morning Mr. Sanford and McDonald 

 came on board. Mr. Sanford stated that he was obliged to 

 return on account of his suffering from the asthma, after leav- 

 ing the volcano. In the .evening Mr. Elliott arrived with 

 orders to the first Lieutenant, from Captain Wilkes, to keep 

 up a constant communication between the ship and the moun- 

 tain. Mr. Elliott reports that he left the party about fifteen 

 miles, or two days' walk, from the top of the mountain ; 

 that the ascent thus far had been difficult and painful, and 

 that one of the crew named Longly (an excellent man) was 

 found missing. He also tells us that they had suffered a 

 great deal from cold, and want of provisions and water ; the 

 latter article being so scarce, that upwards of two dollars had 

 been paid for a gallon of it. 



In the course of the afternoon, two white men came on 

 board to say to the Purser, that they had been dispatched by 

 Captain Wilkes to tell him to send two hundred natives up the 

 mountain with wood. These men report that Captain Wilkes, 

 and about half a dozen others had reached the summit. 



December 26th. At an early hour, one hundred and thirty 

 natives left town with wood and water, for the use of the 

 party on Mauna Lo'a. The Headman of Hilo went with 

 them, and will hereafter stay at what is termed the half-way 

 house, and superintend the natives, who are to be constantly 

 kept carrying wood and water up to Mr. Alden's tent. 



December 27th. We are gratified to learn that Longly 

 has been found. The poor fellow was laying under a rock 

 speechless, and already in a state of delirium preceding a final 

 dissolution ; but he is now doing well. 



