The Nevada journal., 1852-12-10


sure to do this we are obliged to pass
through current Of deadly gas,which,
if inhaled, would suspend the breath
and arrest the functions of thu system,
but we hold our breath and rush on.
We have to cross a fshure red few
inches below the surface with intense
heat; but try its edge with pole and
made the leap. We stand upon the
briuk Of the boiling lake, which ever
and anon dashes its livid waves upon
its rugged shores, and sends its shiver-
ed atoms far and wide, like the DASH
ing of wave upon the rocks; but we
retreat when the danger approaches.
and return again to the enjoyment
We get used to it, after a time, and
the sense Of fear seems unaccountably
annihilated in our breasts, and we en-
joy it exceedingly. There is danger,
no doubt, but the enjoyment of the
moment overcomes the appreciation of
it.
We shall never forget a fact that
occurred on one of our visits. We
were just on the point of crossing a
field of black lava which appeared old
solid and perfectly safe; but as we
were stepping upon it, as one would
cross a river on rough ice, a jet of la
va burst up directly before us to the
height OF twenty or thirty feet,as large
as a hogshead, and continued to play
for several minutes without interrupt
tion. OF course we retreated little
on account of the heat; and well that
we did, for in less than half an hour
the field broke up, and where we were
crossing there was liquid late of Sc
veral acres in extent, glowing with in
tense beat, and surging like mighty
river whose winter cover had been
suddenly broken by flood. We
stood as near as the heat would allow,
and long gazed upon this rare pheno-
menon. We dipped into its burning
waves and brought away specimens
impressed with the head OF Liberty,
from an American coin. But we did
not cross there half a mile further
ON we did cross, and pursued our
way.
We hope our Yankee friends will
not boast of having "looked into the
crater" again, but come here and not
only look but 60 down into it, as We
do, and lay up store of amazement
at our own temerity, that will last q
life time to look back upon. But with
all the apparent danger there is real
ly less than strangers imagine. Inn
minent danger is always preceded by
sons premonition, which allows time.
for escape; no fatal catastrophe has
ever occurred there. Some have been.
burned, singed and scorched, while
others have narrowly escaped being
submerged in boiling lava; but not,
withstanding these hair breadth
'scapes," none who visi. the volcano
are deferred from descending on ac-
count of danger. Nor need they be;
bright look out, with moderate
share of caution, will allow them to
enjoy the wonder without much risk.
But here is the story:
A Yankee oper the crater. A cor
respondent of the Boston Transcript,
writing from Naples, thus describes
an amusing interview with live
Yankee:
The other day, on reaching the top
of Vesuvius, deserted man sitting
astride block of lava. I don't Know
why, but marked him at once as-one
of my countrymen. AS l advanced
towards him ould not help noticing
the cool manner in which he and Ve-
suvius we're taxing smoke together.
His long nine was run out like a
bewsprit, and he took the whole affair
as calIniy as one could look at kitch.
en- fire at home. AS soon as 1 came
up with him he bawled cut, Halo,
stranger pretty considerable lot Of
lava around here !! Any news from
down below? You amt tuckered out
yet, be YEP" On my asking him il he
had looked into the crater, he replied,
"Yaas, but I burned the legs Of my
trousers, though, Itch YOU" He turn
ed out to be a man from New England.
who came up to see the volcano from
Marseilles.