138 MAUNA LOA. 



of a large tunnel, or cave, in which the men could be accommodated, 

 and which was at a sufficient distance from the Sunday Station for a 

 day's journey. This station was afterwards known as the Recruiting 

 Station, because all the sick and wounded from the higher stations 

 were sent here as to an hospital. 



Long after we had finished our arrangements for the night, and 

 even after it had become dark, we looked in vain for Dr. Judd and his 

 companion. We therefore lighted our fires as a signal to him, and 

 were soon rejoiced to see him safely back. He brought with him a 

 small snow-ball, and the agreeable intelligence that we should find 

 abundance of snow on the top of the mountain, provided we reached 

 it next day ; for he told us it was melting fast. He had travelled for 

 more than four hours and a half before he reached the snow, and had 

 been an hour and a half returning down hill, on a run. The point 

 where he met the snow appeared to him to be about equidistant from 

 our present camp and the summit of the mountain. 



I now felt that the troubles of my scientific operations were begin- 

 ning, for I found that one of the iron cross-bars of the lower part of 

 the pendulum-frame, which had been entrusted to a native to carry, 

 had been broken into two pieces. To provide, however, for mishaps 

 of this description, I had brought the armourer of the Vincennes with 

 me. There would have been no difficulty in his mending it under 

 favourable circumstances ; but, fearing that in our present position he 

 might not succeed, I at once despatched a messenger to the ship, with 

 orders to have a new one made and forwarded as speedily as possible. 



Although it was somewhat encouraging to know that snow had 

 been found, yet we were apprehensive it might disappear before we 

 could reach it. On holding a consultation, it was thought best that all 

 those who were not absolutely needed for the intended operations on 

 the mountain should make a hasty trip to the top, or terminal crater, 

 and then return to the coast ; for our provisions, as well as water, 

 were so low, as in all probability to reduce us to a very short allow- 

 ance. It was, therefore, determined, that the consul, Mr. Bracken- 

 ridge, Mr. Drayton, and Mr. Elliott, should each be supplied with a 

 day's allowance, and go on at an early hour to the summit, unen- 

 cumbered, in order to satisfy themselves with a sight of it, return 

 before night to the Recruiting Station, and thence proceed down the 

 mountain. I resolved to go on with a few of the instruments, to choose 

 an encampment on the summit. 



The Recruiting Station was left under charge of Lieutenant Budd, 

 and it was afterwards made a depot for our stores, &c. 



All the parties set out at an early hour on their several tracks and 



