Polynesian., 1845-02-22

ana bruised our skins; for the utmost care
could not prevent an occasional slip and
fall, as our foot-hold and grasp would give
way. The CLASSY pieces beneath soon cut
out our shoes, but former experience had
told me to go well provided in this respect.
The natives had made themselves sandals
out of raw hides. This stream would have
made a capital field for a Roman penance.
If the furious rapids of some mighty river
had been turned into ink, and the cold of a
winters day at the poles applied, and every
part had become simultaneously CONCEALED
in the position in which it was then whirl-
ing, tossing, foaming and trembling, while
millions of Aint-like particles shivered from
the mass by the suddenness and intensity of
the operation lay scattered about, it would
have resembled this volcanic current. We
made about as rapid Roadway as a small
vessel in a heavy head sea, in the chops of
the Oahu channel. 1t was a continued
pitch and scrabble. BY three o'clock, p.
NJ, we had got within two miles of the oppo-
site side, when a heavy fog, which l had
heard was common in that region, came
suddenly up, and in a very few Minutes en-
veloped us in its dampness. To see a rod
in advance was impossible. We plodded
on, however, by compass, calling out every
two minutes to each other, to avoid separa-
ton. The fog penetrated our clothes and
chilled our limbs, but the severe exercise to
which we were subjected, kept us from
suffering from that cause. Our progress
had been slow in the extreme before the
fog arose, and now our delays were doubled.
AT frequent intervals it was necessary to
stop and consult the compass; for without
this care, we might find ourselves v%eering
more on than off the stream. 1t was quite
impossible to keep close to each other, as it
was risking limbs too much from some rocky
fragment set a rolling by the miss-step of
the companion in advance. Once on sitting
down for a moments rest, | missed the re-
turn cry of one of the men. The others
answered my call and came staggering up.
| called again, but no response. Again and
again w all shouted with our united voices,
until began to be really alarmed. The
last time, however, we heard a shout in re-
turn, and attracted by our voices he soon
joined US. He had the heaviest load, and
was too much exhausted to call out so as to
be heard far, although he had heard us
every time.
After a short breathing spell, we %journied
on, and coming upon an easier track, we
made a fortunate discovery: nothing less
than one Of the many rocky caves to be
found in a volcanic region. This, though
small, was spacious enough for our wants,
and we determined to rest here for the
night. A fire would have been the greatest
comfort, but there was no wood. | changed
my clothing, and the natives took dry tapas
from their bundles, which with the contents
Of our provision calabash, made for us good
cheer. The floor of the cave was smooth,
and if nature could have made it harder, it
would not have prevented me from sleeping
What was stranger, | felt not the hopping
of a single flea. 1t must be a barren coun-
try and but little travelled where they find
no Judgment. The thermometer had fallen
to Ago when | rolled myself up in my blan-
kct, and as misery sometimes makes strange
bed-fellows, | saw no reason why cold
should not have the same effect; so ! called
my men to stretch themselves out on either
side Of me, and in that way we roughed out
the night without being kept wholly awake