Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-04

and had already turned for the purpose, when
suddenly there came a sort of rumbling crash,
and the ground, shaking, heaviDg and rolliog
under me, began TO crumble of into the dread
abyss. was thrown down, and, on my hands
and knees, praying God for mercy, was scram'
bling over 1t and upward, to save myself from a
most horrible fate, when two blocks, rolling
together, caught my feet and legs between
them, and, without actually crushing, held them
as if IN q vice. Then came another crash and
crumble, the lava blid away from behind me,
and / was left upon the very verge of the awful
gulf, now Widened to some fifteen or twenty
feet, down into which looked with horror
strained eyes, only to see darkness and death
below, and breathe the almost suffocatiDg va
pors that rushedup from that seemingly bottom.
less pit.
Oh, the horrors Of that awful realiz ationl
what pen or tongue can portray them7-there,
a helpless but conscious prisoner, suspended
over the mouth Of black and heated abyss, to
be hurled downward by the next great throw of
trembling Nature. . ..
"Helpi helpl heIpl for the love of God, hslpl"
screamed, in the very agony of q wild de-
spair.
looked up ard around to catch glimpse Of
my guide; but he was gone, and / had nothing
to rely on but the mercy of Heaven, and
pray ed to God, as never prayed before, for q
forgiveness of my sins, that they might not
| OllOH u6 10 JuORmeuLs II Dc u S6CO0u,
il might be minute, it might be an hour, that
should have thus to undergo a living death;
but be the time long or short, felt there was
no escape from O doom that even now makes me
| grow pale and shud1eF when think of it,
| Above me was q clear blue sky-beneath me q
black and horrible abyss-around me sickening
vapors that made my brain grow dizzy. Rum
bling and kissing sounds warned me that
another convulsion might occur at any moment, /,
| and another would be the last of me. Home
and friends should never see again, and my
| tomb would be the volcanic Heclal strove,
with the madness Of desperation; to disengage
| my imprisoned limbs, but might as we'll have
attempted to move a mountain. There 1 was
| fixed and fastened for the terrible death was
awaiting. oh, God of mercy what a fatel
Suddenly / heard a shout, aud, looking
around, 1 beheld, with feelings that 1 can not
descvibe, my faithful guide fastening down the
rugged sides ofthe crater to my relief. He had
| fed in terror at the first alarming demonstra-
ton, but had nobly returned TO save me, if pos
sible, by risking his life for mine. May God
reward him as he deseTvesl
"I warned you, MASTER" he said, as he came
up painting, his eyes half starting from his head
and his whole countenance expressing com
miDg gled terror and pity.
"You did you didr' cried I, "but, ohl forgive
and save mel''
"You are already forgiven, master, aud
will save yeu if can-save you or perish with
you"
Instantly he set to work with hisiron- pointed
stick to break the lava around my limbs, bu
had scarcely made any progress when agar
the earth trembled, and the blocks parted on
of them rolling down into the yawning chasu
with dull, hollow sound. sprang forward
seized l. hand Of the gui6e-we both struggles
hard, and the next m oment We had both fallen
locked in each others arms, upon the solid eartl
above was free, but still on the verge of th
4 pit, and any moment We might both be bur 81
to destruction.
"Quick, masterl" cried the guide. Cup! up
and run for your lifel'
Z " Il staggered to my feet, with a wild cry o
hope and fear, and, half supported by my faith
full companion, hurried up the sloping sides o
the crater. AS we rt ached the ridge above, th
| ground shook with q heavy explosion; and
looking back, I beheld with horror dark, smok
ing pit, where we had so lately stood.
And then, without waiting to see more, turr
ed and fed over the rough ground as fast 6
my bruised limbs would let me, We reache
our horses in safety, and hurrying down tb
mountain, gave the alarm to the villagers, VIII
joined us in our fight across the country till
safe distance was gained.
Here bade adIeu to my faithful guide, ri
warding him as q man grateful for the prese
vation of his life might be supposed to do.
A few days later, when the long extinct He
, , la was again convulsiDg the island and sepdir
forth its mighty tongues of fire and streams
, , melted lava, was far away from the subliu
and awful scene, thanking God 1 was alive
tell the story of my wonderful escape from
| burning tomb