The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-02

refreshment. Although the general inclination was
in favor of these restorative measures, after sundry
theoretical and practical opinions, we concluded 10
deny ourselves any such indulgence until the close
OF our days journey
Il Notwithstanding the verdant appearance of the
country we observed that il presented very thin
stratum of soil spread over hard black lava, which
rose IN many places above the surface in ridges or
rolls, where one wave had cooled on top Of another
All covering being worn from the pathway, il gave
to the feet an unyelding surface, like rough iron
castings, bringing great strain upon the ankle and
knee; joints, As the day advanced, the way became
painfully wearisome; miles were drawn out to three
and i, four times their length and each Indian hut
that appeared in the distance, we felt assured must
be the anxiously looked-for ''schooi-house," al
which, being halfway, we were promised an end to
our days labor, and rest for the night. During
this latter part Of the days journey, we came up
with groups of natives, awaiting us by the road
side, and offering for sale goats milk, chickens
sweet and Irish potatoes, and bananas; of which
we bought as much as the enduring Kanakas could
carry in addition to the ample supply of provision
with which they were already loaded.
AT length, with almost the joy Of tempest tossed
sailor, who snug harbor within reach, We
learned TINT the "school-houscn was individually in
sight. The light-hearted merrment of the morning
was now gone; slowly, silently, and singly, each
one dragged himself along; and as he reached the
hut sank wearied and exhausted upon the ground
The necessities of our case, and the law of usage,
Justified US in taking entire possession of the school
house. IL was long hut, constructed OF thatch,
having an earthen floor, carpeted with dried fern
leaves and grass; on one side was pulpit, or read
ng-desk. The presiding genius of the place being
little stumpy Kanaka, called Hiram, the teacher,
who dwelt in hut near by, with good-natured
little fat wife, who paid her respects TO us, wrapped
in a loose blue calico gown. Hiram gloried in a
flaming pair Of scarlet plaid breeches. They both
seemed delighted to see us. In locating this school
| hall hatx nd tha ole
regard has been had TO the convenience Of travellers
and the interest Of the teacher for, although no reg
uar charge is made, something is generally present
ed for the accommodation; and selfish and unsym-
pathlsing must be the heart which does not offer
some tribute to the kind and good tempered little
couple, who, but the other day in savage ignorance
themselves are now the interesting pioneers of civil
izaton among u wild people, in wild country
and, although we smile at the simple pride with
which they caricature our costume, ii is gratifying
to see their example extending this symbol of civil
| zation and refinement
| The Indians knew nothing of our mode Of cook
ing and eating and, therefore, tired as We were,
there still before the trouble of preparing the
meal which our appetites and condition earnestly
demanded. Fortunately, the gentleman who had
charge Of the provision department, was young
man OF active and enduring temperament, who had
already, in the spirit of enterprise and adventure,
crossed the Rocky mountains. He converted the
pulpit into pantry, and taking his seat there
rounded by the provison-calabashes spread their
contents around, and directed the preparation Of our
supPsr .;,,.,,,d;, =. .;.,, -. !, ,..,,.a i,
kanakas came in scarcely showing fatigue; and,
seeing our fororn condition. each one seated him.
self by his master, and commenced ioni-lomi-ing;
that is, shampooing him. They gently rubbed,
beat, and pressed limbs; kneading us like so
many masses of dough. The sensations caused by
this process were most agreeable fatigue, PAIN and
stiffness passed away; and in little time, we were
moving about with restored hexibty, and each one
was making himself notwithstanding the fire which
had been built under a shed projecting from the
front of the house; preparing chickens and bana-
mas for frying; peeling and slicing onions; washing
potatoes and making coffee. Our joint efforts hev-
! ing at length accomplished sumptuous meal, il
was spread upon one of the schoobenches; and
broad green taro leaves being substituted for plates
we supped under the best circumstances to render
eating high epicurean enjoyment
| About dark, some neighboiing natives brought
us good-sized hog for sale; which we bought for
three dollars, determining to prepare l,t-au the
native DISH Having butchered our hog, and as the
rcadest mode of separating the bristes, we skinned
him. The hams and shoulders were delivered to
the natives TO be lu-au-ed. Having surrounded the
meat with taro roots, potatoes, and mass of taro
leaves, the whole enveloped in taro leaves,
and deposited for the night in an oven of heated
stones Having with this completed our domestic
operations for the day, gathering fresh fern leaves
|
kets, we grouped together in the back part of the
hut for our nights repose, leaving the forward part
TO the Indians; and the hard earthly bed inn
pedment to the well-earned sleep Of our first day IS
journey. During the night, heavy rain on,
and, making its way through the thatch, caused
some little commoon among us but orr fatigue
was too great to feel this any serious nconveni-
ence Early in the morning, we were again astir ;
and having prepared for our breakfast similar meal
to that Of the preceding night, by o'clock were
| all packed and again under way. The lu-au was
| cooked in the most delicious and cleanly manner;
but being so nicely cnveoped in the leaves we con-
cluded not to open it until we reached the volcano
The road to-day, for the first ten miles, was very
much the same the last ten of yesterday, but
rather more ascending. We passed great quantities
of large-sized yellowsh-red whoreberry, refresh
ing and pleasant to the taste, though rather nsipid
These berries were sacred to Pee, the goddess Of
the volcano; and during the domination Of supersti-
ton, 1t was the custom to make offering of them
TO her, by all who ventured to approach the crater.
There were also on the roadside many fine straw
berry beds in flower, with few halfripe berries
In the early part Of the day, il was extremely
warm and as the day advanced, fine rain coming
on we took off all clothes to our shirt and draw
ers. Thus unencumbered, we walked more lightly;
and the rain driving through thin dresses caused
sensation of refreshing GOODNESS A very serious
Inconvenience began to annoy several of the gentle
men, who, not having been sufficiently careful in the
fit Of their shoes, had their feet painfully abradedso
much so, that they were compelled to take their
shoes Off and walk bare-footcd for at least ten miles
of the route, over rough gravel and sharp volcanic
sand. This sand was exceedingly annoying to
those who could wear their shoes, by getting into
them from the many puddles Of mud through which
we were compelled to wade. II painful day IS
work; and towards its close the weather became
quite chilly Exhausted by fatigue, and with
drcnched clothes the driving drizzling rain, which
still continued, caused us to SILVER, and teeth to
tier wifi old rv abo M bpco
more murky, wild, and gloomy; and as we
emerged from bush-grown mud puddle, through
which we had been wading, indications of the
neghborhood Of the volcano began TO be visible.
Clouds Of steam were issuing from numerous crew
ices, and sweeping in heecy vapor before the wind,
across the direction Of our path. short distance
over this steamy region brought us to a group of
huts and we stood upon the edge of the great crater
of kilauea Cold, wet, and hungry, our physical
condition united us for any appreciation ofthe sub
lime and picturesque, and therefore hurried in
to newly-buil thach hut, appropriated TO the ac-
Communication of yisiters IL was 40 small M harelu