THROUGH HAWAII. 
287 
rested in the discussion. We continued talking to them 
on the subject of their traditions, one of which we wrote 
down as they repeated it. 
About half-past eleven we took leave of them, and 
directed our way across the eastern point. A most 
beautiful and romantic landscape presented itself on 
our left, as we travelled out of Pualaa. The lava was 
covered with a tolerably thick layer of soil, and the 
verdant plain, extending several miles towards the foot 
of the mountains, was agreeably diversified by groups 
of picturesque hills, originally craters, but now clothed 
with grass, and ornamented with clumps of trees. The 
natives informed us, that three of these groups, Honua- 
ura, Malama, and Mariu, being contiguous, and joined 
at their base, arrested the progress of an immense tor¬ 
rent of lava, which, in the days of Taraiopu, the friend 
of Captain Cook, inundated all the country beyond them. 
We soon left this cheerful scenery, and entered a rugged 
tract of lava, over which we continued our way till 
about two p. m., when we reached Kapoho. 
A cluster, apparently of hills three or four miles 
round, and as many hundred feet high, with deep in¬ 
dented sides, overhung with trees, and clothed with 
herbage, standing in the midst of the barren plain of 
lava, attracted our attention. We walked through the 
gardens that encircled its base, till we reached the 
s. e. side, where it was much lower than on the northern 
parts. Here we ascended what appeared to us to be 
one of the hills, and, on reaching the summit, were 
agreeably surprised to behold a charming valley open¬ 
ing before us. It was circular, and open towards the 
sea. The outer boundary of this natural amphitheatre 
was formed by an uneven ridge of rocks, covered with 
