Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-07-31
A Fearful Adventure.
A VOLCANO.

A VOLCANO.
Dr, Judd then sough, for place where he
might dip up some of the recent and YET fluid
iaSa' ou' lound none sufficiently liquid for the
purpose. Failing here, he proceeded towards
Inc great fiery lake. at the southern extremity
OF The crater. He found tha, The ascent towards
this was rapid, because the successive flowines
OF The lava had formed crus,s, which lapped
over each other. This rock was so dark in
color as TO be almos, black, aud so no, as 10 ac.
upon spiiile just as iron, heated nearly 10 red
ness would have done On breaking through
The outer crust, which was two or three inches
lhlck, the mass beneath, although solid was of
cherry red
The pole with which the crust was pierced
took fire i, was Withdrawn. I, was evident
ly impossible TO approach any nearer in this d-
rec,ion, for, although the hea, nigh, be so in
tense as TO prevent walking on the crust, yet
the crust nigh, be TOO weak TO bear the weight;
and TO break through would have been to meet
death of the most appalling kind. DR.. Judd,
therefore, turned towards the ives, bank, on
which he mounted 10 higher level over stones
too ho, to be touched but from which his feet
were defended by stout wooden stockings and
sandles of hide worn over his shoes. When
he had proceeded as far as he could in this d.
rec,ion, he saw, a, The distance of thirty fee,
from him, stream of lava running down The
delivirh over which he and his companion had
ascended.
On The sides Of this crater DR.. Judd saw
some fine specimens of capillary glass, "Pele's
hair" which he was anxious to obtain for our
collection. He, therefore, by ;he aid of the
hand Of one of the natives, descended and be-
gan 10 select specimens. When fairly down,
he was in danger Of falling, in consequence of
the narFowness of the footing but in spite OF
this difficulty. his anxiety to select The best spe-
cimens entced him onwards. While thus ad-
vancing, he saw and heard slight movement
in The lava, abou, fifty feet from him, which was
twice repeated and curiousiy led him to turn 10
approach the place where the motion appeared.
In an instan, the crust was broken asunder by
terrific heave. and Ell of the melted lava,
full fifteen feet in diameter, rose TO about forty
five fee, with mos, appalling noise.
He Instantly turned for the purpose of esca-
ping, bu, found that be was now under pro-
jecing ledge, which opposed his ascent, and
thai The place where he had descended was
some feet distant, The heat was already loo
great to permit him 10 turn his face towards ii,
and was every moment increasing; while the
violence Of the ,hroes, which shook the rock
beneath his feet, augmented. Although he con-
sdered his life as lost, he did moi omit The
means for preserving il, but, offering up a men-
lal prayer fof the Divine aid ne strove, although
ia vain, 10 scale the projecting rock. While
thus engaged, he called in English upon his
saw the friendly hand of Kalumo, who on this
fearful occasion had not abandoned his special
guide and friend, extended towards him. Ere
he could grasp it, the fiery jet again rose above
their heads, and Kalumo shrunk back. scorched
and terrified, until excited by second appeal.
he again stretched forth his hand, and seizing
Dir. Judd's with giant grasp, their joint efforts
placed him on the ledge Another moment and
all aid would have been unavalling TO save DR..
Judd from pershing in the fiery deIuge. In
looking for The natives, they were seen some
hundreds OF yards distant, running as fast as
their legs could carry them. On his calling 10
lhem, however. they returned aud brought the
frying pan and pole. BY this lime about Ten
or fifteen minutes had elapsed. The crater
was full of lava, running over al the lower and
northern side, hen Dr. Judd was enabled 10
dip up a pan OF il. Il was, however. TOO cold
10 take an impression, aud had ctus' on its
top.
On second rrial he was successful, and,
when it was red ho he endeavored 10 stamp u
with navy button. but The whole sunk by It's
own weight, being composed Of lro'hy lava
aud become suddenly cold, leaving only The
H n H. o.pc,.I ane of The hutton with |