324 
CBU1SE OF H.M.S. CHALL ENGEB. 
our house. The abyss, which is at a height of 
4000 feet, on the side of Mauna Loa, has the appear- 
ance of a large pit, which is estimated to be nine 
miles in circumference. The guides informed us 
that there was nothing to fear ; the edge of the 
crater was approachable with safety, except during 
an eruption. After an hour of very difficult climbing 
and scrambling, the lowest level of the crater was 
reached. My highest expectations were more than 
realised, and I can hardly find words suitable to 
describe my sensations after seeing such a spectacle. 
All was confusion and commotion ; for the lava, like 
red-hot metal, broke about with a surging noise on 
the rough craggy cliffs, cooling as it fell over the 
edge, where it hung in festoons. With all this, I 
noticed but little smoke or vapour, and what there 
was seemed carried away by a light breeze. 
Here we remained for a long time, so engrossed by 
the grand spectacle, that when it was decided to re- 
turn, by some means we got on the wrong track, and 
were for more than an hour seeking the right road ; 
however, eventually we reached the hotel, nearly 
tired out. 
Kilauea never overflows its vast crater, but appears 
to burst a passage for its lava through the mountain- 
side when relief is necessary, and then the destruc- 
tion is usually fearful. Fortunately this seldom 
occurs, for it is many years ago that so great an 
eruption took place : then it rent its stomach, and 
