The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-09-23
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
9fs in tbt yahaiian SsIanns.- "a
A TRIP TO MAUNA LOA.
fConciuded-1

Imagine two or three hundred acres covered q foe
deep with broken glass, arranged in every suppose
bic position. and You may guess something near wha
our eovhides under-or rather oyer-went- We mad
but small progress, and the temperature OF the al
had fallen to Gle, when, At i've p NJ, We came upo
Q mountain mansion, provided by Nature for house
less travellers, and yclept q cave This was q iarg
cavity, LEFT in an arched shape by the flowing Law
years ago, and with its high roof, dry 6oor. and ute
shelter from the night winds proved . glorious plae
Of rest after our toilsome days aunt A good hr
soon shed its cheerful rays over the interior Of thi
house Of lava, and q smoking hot supper, consisting
Of roast potatoes and butter, and the fragrant kon'
coffee, was soon served mp, while a cold turkey from
our pack Aanked the board, or rather rock. which
answered for . table. Amer supper, which to oul
appetites proved most delicious fare, q large quantit,
Of wood was gathered to keep the fire going all nigh
and dry our clothes for q comfortable start in thu
morning. Wearied with our days walk, we soor
gladly retired under our blankets, our beds being
formed Of some dry grass, which we pulled in the
neighborhood of the cave, and, with but little wooing.
the sleepy god soon had US fast locked in his en-
braces
These caves are q peculiar feature Of all volcanic
countries, and of none more 50 than these islands.
They are doubtless formed by q flow or stream OF
lava, the outer crust Of which becoming cool, forms
the arch Of the cave. while the inner lava continues
to run until the eruption ceases and the stream con-
geals, and thus the cave is formed The one in
which we slept was about twenty feet wide in the
widest part, some twenty-five feet high and thirty
feet in length, having an opening or mouth about
eighteen feet across At the farther end Of the cave
was a large hole, and apparently very deep, supposed
to lead to a continuation Of caves below, through
August 18th. This morning before sunrise, the
thermometer stood at 53e in the cave-estimated ele-
walton above the sea $500 feet. At six O'Clock,
after q cup Of coffee, we made an early start. Our
way during most Of the morning was over clinkers
like those of the preceding day. until we came out
into an open space covered with grass and scattering
shrubbery. Here the natives rested a little and then
again moved slowly forward. Geese were again heard
and one more was added to our stock of fresh provis-
ions. At about ten O'Clock we cam to cave No. 2,
where We found abundance Of cool, fresh water. Here
the Thermometer stood at 63o in the open ar, 1850
feet elevation. Partly covering the cave was a ma
tive grass-thatched hut, built by those who in former
years used to frequent these mountains for wild cat
tie and goats These, however, which were formerly
abundant, have entirely disappeared, either having
been exterminsted by the hunters or driven to other
parts We found some nice, dry mats hanging on
poles overhead, with which We formed luxurious
touches. on which to roll and stretch our already
weary limbs until the arrival of our native baggage
carriers. The cooking utensils having arrived, two
fat geese were in a ~twinkling stewing in the pot and
the coffee kettle sent forth its aromatic steam. Break
fast-or rather dinner-being announced. we gath
cred round the delicious mess, and, our a~ppetites
sharpened by our morning exercise and the mountain
Air, the fowl disappeared in a manner which would
have been positively marvellous to metropolitan eyes.
Our own appetites satisfied, the natives came in for
the finale, and for a few minutes there was a great
cracking of bones and sucking of fingers, their motto
seeming to be emphatically the more haste the more
goose.
Dinner over, we left this cave at 1, P. NJ, and re-
sumed our upward march, the thermometer indicating
outside the cave. Previous to starting, four Gala
bashes we're filed with water TO take with us, not ex-
pecting again to meet with water until our return.
The sun shone brightly and the atmosphere being
clear of clouds, We had a good view of the dome Of
NJ auna Loa, the top Of which was to be our goal, and
over whose layers of glistening lava we had yet to
cross before we could climb the craggy summit and
peep into the burning lake beyond. Pressing on
ward to our task, the path lay over an uneven
country, with but a seanty growth of trees and
IuUD<INs VIC a many cAfSA PA1nS edA
other vegetation which were killed by the drought
which for the previous seven months had prevailed
over these islands. One year since. during a
visit to the crater of Haleakala on Maui, I saw a
great many Of these plants fresh and healthy, their
velvet leaves and silver stalks pointing heavenward to
catch the morning dews.
Shortly after we started the drilling rain or
s Scotch Mist again set in, and continued its disa-
attentions all the afternoon. Passing a d.
goat pen. we arrived at 5. p. NJ, at cave
g. where we concluded to remain for the night,
,s a little farther on we should be beyond the range
n the woods, and then there would be no facilities for
that great desideratum-a cup Of hot cof-
ee. Having supped with, If anything, an increased
upon that Of the last meal, and built .
Ere to keep out the night air, We bunked
NJ with all our clothes on, intending to make an
arly start
August 14th. This morning we found the ther-
nometer 43o, about 1000 feet elevation After for,
the inner man with a breakfast Of goose and
cast potatoes and the inseparable hot coffee, we were
arly on our way, the route being now directly up
he mountain side. In the far distance we could see
ONE parts Of the beach beyond Kailua- Our walk
ne now grew better every mile we gained upward
Until il became quite smooth, the rock being Of that
description known by the Hawaiians as pahoehoe. A
title way from this cave we observed frost for the
Irst time in the bellows. The atmosphere was clear,
md quite cutting, the thermometer standing at 6Se
a ones jacket pocket As we rose higher up, the
lorison Was visible far above the summit Of Hualalai,
thirty miles distant. and the top of Haleakala,
N East Maui. appeared about on q level with our
tand-point. Looking down the mountain We could
ust discern an open space, apparently very diminu-
i've, which our guide said was the broad opening
lear Of wood, where We had killed our first geese.
on, and vegetation had disappeared, with the
here and there. of a tuff Of grass, or q
mall whortleberry bush hiding itself behind q pro
seton Of lava Crossing q bed Of cliukers we came
o the smooth rock again. Here we left our fowling
ieces a. needless membranes and pushed along,
assing two miniature craters. from which proceeded
treams Of what had once been liquid lava At 2
}. NJ, We arrived At . pile Of stones thrown up by
he NATIVES In ancient times. possibly for q Landmark.