LETTEE XXVIII. 



The "Unexpected" happens — Hilo Kindness — A Venerable Pair of 

 Stockings — Preparations for the Ascent of Manna Loa. 



HlLO, June 2nd. 



Often since I finished my last letter has Hazael's reply- 

 to Elisha occurred to me, " Is thy servant a dog, that he 

 should do this thing ? " For in answer to people who have 

 said, " I hope nothing will induce you to attempt the ascent 

 of Mauna Loa," I always said, " Oh dear, no ! I should 

 never dream of it ! " or, " Nothing would persuade me to think 

 of it!" 



This morning early, Mr. Green came in, on his way to 

 Kilauea, to which I was to accompany him, and on my casually 

 remarking that I envied him his further journey, he at once 

 asked me to join him, and I joyfully accepted the invitation ! 

 For, indeed, my heart has been secretly set on going, and I 

 have had to repeat to myself fifty times a day, " no, I must not 

 think of it, for it is impossible" 



Mr. Green is going up well equipped with a tent, horses, a 

 baggage mule, and a servant, and is confident of being able to 

 get a guide and additional mules fifty miles from Hilo. I had 

 to go to the Union School examination where the Hilo world 

 was gathered, but I could think of nothing but the future ; and 

 I can hardly write sense, the prospect of the next week is so 

 exciting, and the time for making preparations is so short. It 

 is an adventurous trip anyhow, and the sufferings which our 

 predecessors have undergone, from Commodore Wilkes down- 

 wards, make us anxious not to omit any precaution. The 

 distance which has to be travelled through an uninhabited 

 region, the height and total isolation of the summit, the uncer- 

 tainty as to the state of the crater, and the duration of its 



