230 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, 
Indian file, nearly four miles an hour, although 
most of the natives carried heavy burdens, which 
were tied on their backs with small bands over 
their shoulders, in the same manner that a soldier 
fastens on his knapsack. Having also ourselves a 
small leather bag, containing a bible, inkstand, 
note-book, compass, &c. suspended from one 
shoulder, a canteen of water from the other, and 
sometimes a light portfolio, or papers, with speci¬ 
mens of plants besides, our whole party appeared, 
in this respect at least, somewhat en militaire. 
After travelling a short distance over the open 
country, we came to a small wood, into which we 
had not penetrated far, before all traces of a path 
entirely disappeared. We kept on some time, 
but were soon brought to a stand by a deep chasm, 
over which we saw no means of passing. Here 
the natives ran about in every direction, searching 
for marks of footsteps, as a dog runs to and fro 
when he has lost the track of his master. 
After searching about half an hour, they dis¬ 
covered a path, which led some distance to the 
southward, in order to avoid the deep chasm in 
the lava. Near the place where we crossed over, 
there was an extensive cavern. The natives sat 
down on the top of the arch by which it was 
formed, and began eating their sugar-cane, a 
portable kind of provision, usually carried on their 
journeys, while we explored the cavern in hopes 
of finding fresh water. In several places, drops 
of water, beautifully clear, constantly filtered 
through the vaulted arch, and fell into calabashes 
placed underneath to receive it. Unfortunately 
for us, these were all nearly empty. Probably 
some thirsty traveller had been there but a short 
time before. 
