182 K I L A U E A. 



traversing an extensive basin, covered with a dense vegetation, whicli 

 the sun was not able to penetrate. For the first time on our journey, 

 we now had plenty of water. On passing beyond this basin, we 

 entered upon one of the old lava-plains, where we encamped near a 

 pool of water. This plain is covered with stunted shrubs, and the old 

 lava seemed more broken than any we had yet passed over since 

 leaving the crater. In consequence of a mist, the walking was wet 

 and slippery. During the day one of the men fell and sprained his 

 ankle, and it became necessary that he should be carried, which office 

 his companions performed with an attention that pleased me much. 



There are several peculiarities about the natives which we now 

 noticed : among other things they are exceedingly proud of their skin, 

 and take it as a great affront to be spattered with mud ; if any thing 

 could ruffle a native's temper, it would be this. The young are parti- 

 cularly careful to avoid all puddles or mud ; indeed, I thought more so 

 than we are with our fine clothes. 



Our encampment was found to be two thousand two hundred and 

 sixty-six feet above the sea. The temperature was 64°. 



We had now reached the line of the recent eruption, and it was my 

 purpose to strike the head of the flow. Mr. Drayton, our consul, and 

 Mr. Brackenridge, had already visited the first outbreak of the late 

 eruption, of May 1840, which is marked on the map near the pit 

 crater of Alealea-nui, and also that to the east of the Old Crater. 

 The latter, with that of Kanemuo-kamu, were the largest of the pit- 

 craters, always excepting Kilauea. Mr. Drayton considers Kanemuo- 

 kamu as the deepest crater he saw on the island, and the Old Crater 

 as the most regular. 



As far as we were able to learn, the two eruptions to the east and 

 west of Moku-opuhi occurred on the same day, and nearly at the same 

 time. 



On the 20th of January, it was nine o'clock before we could pro- 

 ceed on our journey. The weather was mild and pleasant, and it bade 

 fair to be a delightful day. By noon we had reached the position of 

 three cone-craters, of moderate height, the ground about which was 

 much broken. We afterwards diverged from the direct path, our 

 guide taking us across the country a distance of four miles, on the 

 north side of Kalalua. This march proved to be an arduous under- 

 taking, for what had appeared to us at a distance to be smooth to 

 travel on, proved on a nearer view, to be rough lava clinkers, over- 

 grown with grass and stunted shrubbery, that deprived us of the 

 opportunity of discovering where we were going to tread. Every few 

 steps some of the party fell, and we considered ourselves very fortunate 



