Whyte suffered so
dreadfully from mountain sickness, that they were obliged to help
him down, and he declares that he will not go up again. Mr. Whyte
tells us that he suffered himself from vomiting and vertigo for
fourteen hours, and severely from thirst also, as the water froze in
their canteens; but I am almost well now, and as my capacity for
"roughing it" has been severely tested, I hope to "get on" much
better. A party made the ascent nine months ago, and the members of
it also suffered severely, but I see no reason why cautious people,
who look well to their gear and clothing, and are prudent with
regard to taking exercise at the top, should suffer anything worse
than the inconveniences which are inseparable from nocturnal cold at
a high elevation.
My preparations are completed to-night, the last good wishes have
been spoken, and we intend to leave early tomorrow morning.
I.L.B.
LETTER XXIX. {381}
CRATER HOUSE, KILAUEA. June 4th.
Once more I write with the splendours of the quenchless fires in
sight, and the usual world seems twilight and commonplace by the
fierce glare of Halemaumau, and the fitful glare of the other and
loftier flame, which is burning ten thousand feet higher in lonely
Mokua-weo-weo.
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