90 HAWAII AND OAHU. 



deemed on these islands a most necessary appendage for travelling, 

 and are admirably adapted for the purpose, being exceedingly light 

 and having great capacity. When in the care of a native, although 

 extremely fragile, they are quite secure ; they are surrounded by a 

 net made of fine twine or sennit of the cocoa-nut. 



To the forethought of Dr. Judd, and his judicious preparations, I 

 feel that much of our success is owing in overcoming many of the 

 difficulties that we met with. 



Finding that both the new launches could not be finished in the 

 prescribed time, arrangements were made to complete the one intended 

 for the Peacock, and to defer the finishing of that belonging to the 

 Vincennes until our contemplated return in April ; for I deemed that 

 the old one, although ill adapted to our wants, would answer all that 

 we absolutely required of her previous to that time. 



On the 24th, all w T ere ordered to join the ships. The tender, 

 agreeably to her orders, returned on the 28th, and the launch of the 

 Peacock being ready, was taken on board on the 29th of November. 



Before taking up the cruises of the ships, however, I shall give an 

 account of the tender's trip to Hawaii. 



The naturalists were accompanied by Mr. Hall, a gentleman 

 attached to the mission, who kindly volunteered to attend them, and 

 to whom they were much indebted for his great usefulness, both as in- 

 terpreter, and for the knowledge he possessed of the country. They 

 had, besides, two or three natives who spoke English tolerably well. 



They were detained by calms and light winds, so that they did not 

 reach the bay of Kealakeakua until ten o'clock at night, when, having 

 obtained the guidance of some fishermen, they anchored in the dark. 



This bay derives its name (path of the gods) from a slide in the hill, 

 which is still visible, which the gods are said to have used in order to 

 cross the bay quickly. It is of no great extent, and opens between two 

 low and barren hills, on each of which a town is situated. 



Between them a high perpendicular bluff rises directly from the 

 water, in which are seen numerous caves : in these the natives formerly 

 buried their dead, and still use occasionally for the same purpose. 

 These caves appear inaccessible, and are the resort of vast numbers 

 of birds. 



On the 14th (Saturday), they landed at Napolo, and were kindly 

 received by Mr. Forbes, the resident missionary for the district of 

 Kealakeakua. They w r ere greatly disappointed when they found it 

 would be impossible to proceed on their tour that day, and that their 

 departure would have to be deferred until Monday, as it would bs 

 impossible to prepare the food necessary for the journey in a day 



