MAUNA LOA. 119 



although it was not a little provoking to see several natives staggering 

 under their loads, while one or two would be skipping along with a 

 few pounds' weight only. At first, many of them preferred the hog- 

 driving business ; but I understood that they afterwards found out that 

 it was no sinecure to drive a hog either of large or small size, and 

 still less so to have charge of the bullock, who was half wild. The 

 terror and fright he produced among the natives, proved a source of 

 much amusement to us ; and some droll scenes took place as the 

 natives rushed in all directions to get beyond the reach of his horns, 

 throwing down their loads without regard to the consequences. This 

 was, however, prevented afterwards, by sending on the bullock, with 

 his attaches or drivers, in front. 



I found Olaa to be one thousand one hundred and thirty-eight feet 

 above the level of the sea ; and the temperature there was 72°. 



While we were getting a slight nap, Dr. Judd was engaged in 

 superintending the distribution of food to the multitude, during which 

 time much confusion and noise existed. The natives put me in mind 

 of wild beasts in this respect ; they seldom make any noise unless their 

 appetite and ease are in some way concerned. 



Among the party we had several white men as interpreters, besides 

 our native guides, who formed as it were a connecting link between 

 ourselves and the natives proper. The whole was in keeping, for all 

 had set out for a hard and rough journey ; and knowing we had an 

 arduous task to perform, we were all appropriately clothed for work. 



The dress of the natives consisted of the maro and a light piece 

 of tapa-cloth, worn as a shawl, which, when working, was usually 

 wrapped around their bodies. In order to protect the feet, they were 

 each furnished with a pair of raw-hide sandals, which they tie on their 

 feet as boys do their skates. These are put on so as to cover the 

 palms of the feet. For want of hide, some made sandals of ti-leaves, 

 which answer the purpose quite as well for a time, though they are not 

 so durable, and walking in them causes an awkward gait. 



The whole company was a sort of mob, each moving after his own 

 fashion, and straggling occasionally out of the path to save a few 

 yards of distance. The chief Pea and his body-guard brought up the 

 rear, to pick up stragglers and assist the weary. 



After leaving Olaa, we had no distinct path to follow ; for the whole 

 surface became a mass of lava, which retained all its metallic lustre, 

 and appeared as if it had but just run over the ground — so small was 

 the action of decomposition. There were only a few stunted bushes 

 on our track ; but some dense patches of wood were observed on the 



