Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/83

Rh It was nearly midnight before our gathering broke up, and by the time Mr. Carson and Mr. Palmer left we felt as if they were old friends.

"Remember we shan't forget what you have done for us," said the tall Californian.

"And if we can ever do you a good turn we'll do it willingly," put in Paul Carson, with a warm shake of the hand all around.

Oliver had procured the steamer tickets, so there was nothing for us to do on the day following but to pack our valises and take it easy. As it looked like a clear day, Dan proposed that we hire horses and ride down to Diamond Head, the promontory situated at the entrance of Honolulu harbor.

"We can take it easy," said he. "So that the trip don't hurt you or Dan."

"I'm willing," I answered, and so was Dan, and by nine o'clock we were on the way, taking advantage of the cool morning hours, for between eleven and two o'clock it is so hot in these latitudes that no one feels like stirring.

As we journeyed along we talked over the prospects of finding Joe Koloa, and if he would give us the information we desired, and ere we knew it it was high noon and we were a good distance from the city.

"I'm getting hungry," declared Dan, and as we had brought a hamper of eatables along, we