SULPHUR BANKS. 
243 
Just as the sun was setting we reached the 
place where we had left our baggage, and found 
Messrs. Bishop and Harwood sitting near the spot, 
where the natives, with a few green branches of 
trees, some fern leaves, and rushes, had erected a 
hut. We were none of us pleased with the site 
which they had chosen. It was at the north-east 
end of the crater, on a pile of rocks overhanging 
the abyss below, and actually within four feet of 
the precipice. When we expressed our disap¬ 
probation, they said it was the only place where 
we might expect to pass the night undisturbed by 
Pele, and secure from earthquake and other cala¬ 
mity, being the place in which alone Pele allowed 
travellers to build a hut. We told them it was 
unnecessarily near, and, being also very unsafe, 
we wished to remove. They answered, that as it 
was within the limits prescribed by Pele for safe 
lodging, they should be unwilling to sleep any 
where else, and had not time to build another hut 
for us. 
We then directed them to collect a quantity of 
fire-wood, as we expected the night would be cold, 
although the thermometer then stood at 69°. 
We were the more anxious to have the fuel col¬ 
lected before the shades of night should close 
upon us, as travelling in some places was ex¬ 
tremely dangerous. The ground sounded hollow 
in every direction, frequently cracked, and, in 
two instances, actually gave way while we were 
passing over it. Mr. Bishop was approaching the 
hut, when the lava suddenly broke under him. 
He instantly threw himself forward, and fell flat 
on his face over a part that was more solid. 
A boy, who followed me with a basket to the sul¬ 
phur banks, and walked about a yard behind 
r 2 
