THROUGH HAWAII. 229 
manifested the greatest apprehensions ever since our 
approach to Kirauea. 
At the north end of the crater we left the few provi¬ 
sions and little baggage that we had, and went in 
search of water, which we had been informed was to 
be found in the neighbourhood of a number of columns 
of vapour, which we saw rising in a northerly direction. 
About half a mile distant, we found two or three small 
pools of perfectly sweet, fresh water; a luxury which, 
notwithstanding the reports of the natives, we did not 
expect to meet with in these regions of fire. It proved 
a most grateful refreshment to u& after travelling not 
less than twenty miles over a barren thirsty desert. 
These pools appeared great natural curiosities. The 
surface of the ground in the vicinity was perceptibly 
warm, and rent by several deep irregular chasms, from 
which steam and thick vapours continually arose. In 
some places these chasms were two feet wide, and 
from them a volume of steam ascended, which was 
immediately condensed by the cool mountain air, and 
driven, like drizzling rain, into hollows in the compact 
lava on the leeward side of the chasms. The pools, 
which were six or eight feet from the chasms, were 
surrounded and covered by flags, rushes, and tall grass. 
Nourished by the moisture of the vapours, these plants 
flourished luxuriantly, and, in their turn, sheltered the 
pools from the heat of the sun, and prevented evapora¬ 
tion. We expected to find the water warm, but in this 
we were also agreeably disappointed. When we had 
quenched our thirst with water thus distilled by nature, 
we directed the natives to build a hut in which we 
might pass the night, in such a situation as to com¬ 
mand a view of the burning lava; and while they were 
