Lepers in the last stages of various forms of the
disease, who glanced inquisitively at us for a moment out of their
ghoul-like eyes - those who were not already beyond seeing - and then
withdrew within their dreadful selves. Was there ever a more
pitiful sight?
"In one room we saw a sight that will ever remain fixed indelibly on
the tablets of memory. A little blue-eyed, flaxen haired child,
apparently three or four years old, a half-caste, that looked up at
us with an expression of timorous longing to be caressed and loved;
but alas, in its glassy eyes and transparent cheeks were the
unmistakable signs of the curse - the sin of the parents visited upon
the child!
"In another room was one - a mass of rotting flesh, with but little
semblance of humanity remaining - who was dying, and whose breath
came hurried and obstructed. A few hours at most, and his troubles
would be over, and his happy release arrive. There had been
fourteen deaths in the settlement during the previous fortnight. On
the day of our visit there were fifty-eight inmates of the
hospital."
Though the lifting of the veil of mystery which hangs over the death
valley of Molokai discloses some of the most woeful features of the
curse, it is a relief to know the worst, and that the poor leprous
outcasts in their "living grave" are not outside the pale of
humanity and a judicious philanthropy. All that can be done for
them is to encourage their remaining capacities for industry, and to
smooth, as far as is possible, the journey of death. The Hawaiian
Government is doing its best to "stamp out" the disease, and to
provide for the comfort of those who are isolated; and, with the
limited means at its disposal, has acted with an efficiency and
humanity worthy of the foremost of civilised countries.
LETTER XXVIII.
HILO. June 2nd.
Often since I finished my last letter has Hazael's reply to Elisha
occurred to me, "Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this
thing?" For in answer to people who have said, "I hope nothing will
induce you to attempt the ascent of Mauna Loa," I always said, "Oh,
dear, no! I should never dream of it;" or, "Nothing would persuade
me to think of it!"
This morning early, Mr. Green came in, on his way to Kilauea, to
which I was to accompany him, and on my casually remarking that I
envied him his further journey, he at once asked me to join him, and
I joyfully accepted the invitation! For, indeed, my heart has been
secretly set on going, and I have had to repeat to myself fifty
times a day, "no, I must not think of it, for it is impossible."
Mr. Green is going up well equipped with a tent, horses, a baggage
mule, and a servant, and is confident of being able to get a guide
and additional mules fifty miles from Hilo.
