200 VISIT TO THE GREAT VOLCANO. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



VISIT TO THE GREAT VOLCANO ARRIVAL AT MAUI— DE- 

 SCRIPTION OF LAHAINA VISIT FROM THE KING. 



On the morning of the 24th of January, Messrs. M , 



H , and myself, applied for permission to visit Mount 



Kilauea." As the permission was granted, we set about making 

 the necessary arrangements for the tour. We directed our 

 steward to put up provisions for six days, and in the afternoon 

 went on shore, and engaged horses from the Headman of Hilo 

 to take us up to the crater. We also engaged a white man, 

 named Smith, to act as guide to the party, and several natives, 

 who were to carry our baggage. 



We told Smith we should be ready to set out the next day, 

 and should expect him and the natives to meet us at an early 

 hour at the Observatory, that being the starting-point. Ac- 

 cordingly, the following morning, we repaired to the Observa- 

 tory, where we found Smith and the natives ; and by six 

 o'clock, all preparations being made, we took our departure. 

 Pursuing a westerly course, we soon came to the River Wikuea, 

 which we crossed near the Headman's house. In a few 

 minutes after, we reached the road which leads to the volcano. 

 We had only traveled a short distance on this road, when we 

 entered a track of country which was entirely covered with 

 fern, and but thinly inhabited. It was here that I took the 

 resolution to return my horse tc the Headman and take to 



