The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-02-26

uccess,rV Ia pres. hard and improve every moment,
M we must return the same day, probably perish
with cold amid those high regions Of snow and tenn
pests.
To describe our road would be tedious, f not inn
possible. sonetimes we wore on ancient deposits
and sometimes on the new; sometimes on broad
fields Of smooth, shining lava, and sometimes cross
ing extended tracts Of the sharp, spuuy kind before
mentioned; climbing high ridge Of
loose scora and sing, and then feeling way down
a rayine amidst poised and pendant masses thut
seemed 10 say, "Tonch moi lesi bury you from
the light Of day"
At ten o'clock we were fairly The foot ur the
mounlain proper and began n more regular and rap.
id ascent though wo had been gradually ri,ing for
IN hour or two before. The new streams cf lava,
spread to the breadth Of several miles the side
Of the mountain for the most part very nearly cooled;
in many places, however, they burning holland
emitting smoke, steam, and pnngent gases.
~ we lost sight nf our native attendants, who
unable to keep with us in rapid and fore
"a march, and them 70 during tho
day. We were now on the new eruption, and
ascent became and incre steep; while tho rar-
~ ofthe atmosphere affected reputation so thu,
il difficult to proceed many rods without stopping
10 pant and recover breath The lava on which we
,readiog give indabiIabc evidence Of powerful
igncous action below, il no, aud full Of seams
from which smoke and gas were escaping But we
soon had occular demonstration ofwhat was the state
between u.s. for in passing along we came TO m open
ing in The superintendent stratum, oftwen,y ,nrds
long ind ten wide, throngh which we looked, md at
the depth Of fifty feet, a vas, tunnel or sub
cannl, lincd with smooth viiiifed matter,
and forming the channel Of river Of FIRE, which
swept down the steep side of the mounlhn with anna
aing velocity. The sight Of this covered nqacduc,-
or, If may re allowed TO coin a word this pprofuot
filed with mineral fusion, and auwrg under our
feet nj the rate Of twenty miles hour, was truly
startling One glance ~ the fearful spectacle was
worth journey of a thousand miles We gazri up
On the scene with Mind Of ecstaey knowing that we
Ind been travelling FOR hours this river Of fire.
and rocrossing it al numerous points As we passed
arp the mountain, we found several similar openings
into this canal, through which we cnSi lnrse stoncs
these, instead Of sinking into the ,iscd uass were
borne Instantly oct ufOur sight on its burning boz
SOM Mounds, ridges, and cones were also thrown
up along tho line Of the lava stream, from the Inrier
OF which, steam, gases, and hot stones were elected
into the air with terrible hi.sings and bclchings.
We had Iurposed 10 commence our return n, one
O'Clock in the afternoon; but the hour came and we
still far from the summit. We then added half
hour TO The nsce,n This passed, bu, We had moi
reached the end Of our journey We went odding
half hour 10 lialf hcS ill thrco O'Clock, al which
time NC reached the verge of the great crater where
the eruption FIRST took place. the highest point of
tho mountain This was in the region Of perpetual
S1ow; md to reach il VIC had passed through snow
for tho last three miles. Here We found two i'm
craters close each other Of vast depth and
in terrific action; but We had not moment left to
stay a"d survey them infinitely. Kneeng therefore
among these awful scenes 10 bless the Hand which
had led thus far, aud to ask protection on our
iurn, we turned faces down the rnountau.
Ragra Though weary and way-worn, almost to
The last degree, we felt that we must regain our
tent long lost in the distance or run the hazard Of
psrishing upon the mountain. Wo ran, walked,
ciambsred, descended, stumbled, feeling unable at
every step TO drag foot after the other, and We,
necessity imPeled us 10 proceed. Al length night
came on we were still trackless waste Of frown
ing lava, not less than eight or ten miles from our
camp. Bat by the cheering aid Of in her
first quarter, we could still the distant out.
Lines Of the green hill on which our cottage of bran
ches stood. We podded on alternately walking and
resting, at rapid intervals, until fog came upon us
shutting out at once the hill, the heavens, and even
the volcanic FIRES from sight. We could not now
keep our course, could not see eur cempasses
We wandered some. but not far from the truck
Still there was little hope that we should reach our
camp
IN about al honr, however, the fog dispersed, the
moon aud stars looked bengnantIy upon US, and
ihs volcanic Gre began again play our left and
after perseverng TOLL with ndescrbatIe wearness we
reached our tent few minutes before eleven at night
need not say that thirsty, exhausted and lacera-
ted frames welcomed rest and refreslmera; not that
our thankful spirits felt un,od satisfaction in view of
the wondrous scenes which we had witnessed during
this laborious and eventful day.
On the following morning Messrs. Cean and Paris,
with the natives who accompanied them, set ont up
on their retnrn TO Hilo.
Mr. Van lIsren promises 10 hang around the necks
'ofhsErends like milestone. The Boston Journal
says that the OF the Democrats in cnging TO
the fortunes of Mr.. Van Buren,, will forciby remind