MAUNA LOA. 135 



get any snow, even if it were found on the mountain. It had never 

 crossed my mind, that there was any probability of this latter re- 

 source failing us ; I had in truth relied upon it with confidence, and 

 concluded that in the event of only one snow-storm we should be en- 

 abled to find some place for a deposit, to save enough water for all our 

 wants. 



We now numbered nearly three hundred persons in camp, with 

 but a few small calabashes containing five or six gallons of water ; 

 and all, more or less, felt the effects of the rarefied air. Mr. Bracken- 

 ridge had a violent attack of the mountain-sickness, although one of 

 the stoutest of the party ; many of the natives felt unwell ; and we all 

 began to experience great soreness about the eyes, and a dryness of the 

 skin. 



At midday I found it impossible to obtain the dew-point with one of 

 Pouillet's hygrometers, but after the clouds reached us in the afternoon 

 it was found at 10°. 



Dr. Judd had his hands full administering to the wants of all ; but his 

 spirits, always buoyant and cheerful, made every one comfortable and 

 happy around him. 



Old Keaweehu told us that we had taken the wrong road to the 

 mountain, and that Puhano was not at all acquainted with the right 

 road, — a fact we had long before discovered ; that if we had come by 

 way of Papapala, he would have been able to conduct us by a route 

 we should have found water every few miles. Ragsdale was now sent 

 off to meet the party from the ship, with orders for them to take the 

 route now indicated, and for him to act as their guide. 



Sergeant Stearns, in his excursions on the flanks of the party, shot 

 some mountain geese, and whether to impute it to the appetite created 

 by the mountain air, or the flavour of the bird, they certainly proved 

 a great delicacy. 



The 20th, being Sunday, was a day of rest : the natives requested 

 that it might be so, and I readily yielded to their wishes. I was 

 anxious, however, to ascertain the state of the mountain, and whether 

 there was any snow to be had on its top, for I now felt satisfied that 

 the want of water would prove the greatest difficulty I should have to 

 encounter, in remaining there as long as I intended. 



Lieutenant Budd received orders to set out with a few attendants 

 at daylight; but after making his preparations, and having all things 

 ready, the natives refused to accompany him on account of its being 

 Sunday, as they said. I am, however, inclined to believe that fear 

 had something to do with it, for they never knew of any one having 

 gone up this mountain before, and thought me mad for taking so 



