AFRO-INDIAN REGIONS. 



389 



The Table-land may be regarded as commencing here : and pro- 

 ceeding by a path not very clearly defined, we found the walking un- 

 pleasant, from mud and quagmires, the falling rain, and the cool tem- 

 perature; the forest-growth being everywhere sufficiently luxuriant to 

 intercept the distant view. In many places, the soil seemed of good 

 quality ; but from the failure of all attempts at cultivation, the occa- 

 sional falls of snow, and the presence of some real bogs, the Table-land 

 belongs partially at least to the Hawaiian Mountain-region, to be de- 

 scribed presently. Natives have perished on the Table-land, in former 

 times from exposure ; and more recently, some had been " killed by 

 bands of dogs that have run wild ;" so that our route was unfrequented. 



Some traces of hogs were met with, but we saw nothing of wild 

 dogs ; and in the afternoon, at the end of " ten miles," we reached the 

 Pali, or Northern brink of the Table-land. The weather was too thick 

 to admit of an extensive view around ; but there was a fearful distance 

 to look down. It seemed wonderful, that there should be here a 

 practicable descent; and one, not even dangerous; though to let one's 

 self down this immense cliff', chiefiy by means of the hands, proved 

 fatiguing. 



At the base we found ourselves among cultivated ground in the 

 Wainilia Valley; the distance to the sea-coast being estimated at " five 

 miles ;" but after twice fording with difficulty the swollen stream, and 

 night coming on, we accepted the hospitality of the natives, and 

 stopped at some cabins on the way. 



On the 31st, after proceeding about two miles, we crossed the 

 Wainiha near its mouth, in a canoe ; we then turned Eastward, and at 

 the end of "five miles," most of the way along the sea-beach, arrived 

 towards noon at Hanalei ; at the mission-station, where our party 

 reassembled. The district, being on the Windward side of the island, 

 is subject to superabundant rains, but is regarded as one of the finest 

 in the Group. Back of the freshly-verdant grassy plain and basal 

 slopes, the mountains in the Southeast were wooded and at first 

 seemed lofty; but beyond them and above, was the continuous wall- 

 like face of the Table-land. 



On the 1st of November, the schooner Flying-fish made her appear- 

 ance ; and having received our party, sailed a little after 10 p.m. — 

 The wind favoring, we arrived early in the evening of the 2d near 

 Waiarua at the West end of Oahu ; but Capt. Knox, being unac- 

 quainted with the place, decided to wait for daylight. — On the 3d, 



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