CHAPTER III. 



HAWAII AND OAHU. 

 1840. 



Shortly after our arrival, orders were given to be ready for sea by 

 the 11th of November, at which time it was my desire that we should 

 again be on active duty. Finding, after the return of the tender from 

 Kauai, that the Vincennes and Peacock would necessarily be detained 

 beyond this time to complete their repairs, and wishing to afford the 

 naturalists belonging to the Peacock an opportunity of visiting Hawaii, 

 I gave Messrs. Peale, Rich, and Dana orders to rejoin the tender on 

 the 10th of November. I also gave Mr. Knox instructions to proceed 

 direct to Kealakeakua Bay, to land them there, and to be again ready 

 to receive them in a week afterwards at Hilo Bay, on the opposite side 

 of the island. The party would thus be enabled to cross the island, 

 which I had no hopes of being able to accomplish with the naturalists 

 attached to the Vincennes, as I believed we should all have enough to 

 occupy us fully in the contemplated trip to the top of the mountain, and 

 the examination of the volcanic eruptions. On the same evening at 10 

 p. m., they went to sea, sweeping out of the harbour, and proceeding on 

 their trip. 



In the mean time our preparations for duty were actively progress- 

 ing. The Porpoise sailed on the 16th of November, under orders for 

 the Paumotu Group. 



Preparations were making on board the Vincennes for our trip to 

 the mountain. Dr. Judd, of the mission, at my solicitation, consented 

 to accompany me, as did also Mr. Brinsmade, our consul. The 

 former kindly offered to take all the preliminary steps in reference 

 to the arrangements with the natives, and to procure suitable travelling 

 equipments, in the shape of large calabashes, &c. These last are 



vol. iv. H2 12 (») 



