188 
VOYAGE TO THE 
her, certain destruction. Her answer was noble :—“ I will 
descend into the crater/’ said she; “ and if I do not return 
safe, then continue to worship Peli: but if I come back un¬ 
hurt you must learn to adore the God who created Peli.” 
She accordingly went down the steep and difficult side of 
the crater, accompanied by a missionary, and by some whom 
love or duty induced to follow her. Arrived at the bottom, 
she pushed a stick into the liquid lava, and stirred the ashes 
of the burning lake. The charm of superstition was at 
that moment broken. Those who had expected to see the 
goddess, armed with flame and sulphurous smoke, burst 
forth and destroy the daring heroine who thus braved her 
in her very sanctuary, were awe-struck when they saw the 
fire remain innocuous, and the flames roll harmless, as 
though none were present. They acknowledged the great¬ 
ness of the God of Kapiolani; and from that time few in¬ 
deed have been the offerings, and little the reverence offered 
to the fires of Peli. 
Early in the morning of the 29th, we prepared to follow 
the path of Kapiolani; and having provided ourselves with 
stout sticks, we began to descend into the crater. We ex¬ 
perienced little difficulty in reaching the first ledge. It 
forms a gallery round the inside at the depth of 932 feet, 
varying in breadth from four or five feet to upwards of 
