SEASONABLE SUPPLY OF WATER. 73 
titute. Having gathered some fern leaves, they 
strewed them on the lava, and laid down to 
repose. 
On the morning of the 11th, the party still felt 
unwilling to return without reaching the top of the 
mountain, and hesitated before they began again 
to descend ; but having been a day and two nights 
without water, and seeing no prospect of procuring 
any in that elevated region, they directed their 
steps to Kairua. 
Two of the party, in searching for a more direct 
road to Kairua, discovered an excellent spring of 
water. They soon communicated the agreeable 
intelligence to their companions, who hastened to 
the spot, quenched their thirst with copious 
draughts, filled their canteens, and kept on their 
way to the town. 
Owing to the roughness of the paths, and the 
circuitous route by which they travelled, they did 
not arrive at Kairua until after sunset, much 
fatigued, and almost barefoot, their shoes having 
been destroyed by the sharp projections in the 
lava. 
After uniting with the governor and his family 
in praise to God, they repaired to their lodgings, 
somewhat disappointed, yet well repaid for the toil 
of their journey. 
