The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-01-03

own feelings rather than his fears; and as
was to pay him we'll for his services, felt but
little disposed TO be hurried from a place
which had cost me so much time, money and
trouble so visit.
Giving no heed, therefore. TO his earnes'
solicitations, | now resolved to sound. II pos
sible, the depth of the ohasm before ne, and
then proceed to inspect the others; and toi
this purpose pried off from larger one =
small block OF lava, and advancing TO the We
~ edge Of the chasm, dropped 1t down. and
listened to the hollow reyerberatlons. rs II
went bounding from side to SIDE, long aticl
it was lost to the eye. The depth was 81
immense that heard it for more than min
ute and then the sound seemed rather TO die
out from distance than 10 cease because In,
block had reached its destination. i: was al
awful depth, and fearfully impressed me with
the terrible: and as drew back with shud-
der. gust of hot, sui phurous air rushed and
roared upward, followed by steam Ike Va
por. and a heavy, hollow sound. As i can
non had been discharged far down iii the
bowels.of the earth
This new manifestation of the powers "i
Iatult lIiI!t St'tilltA Hic illo et>Ait ~
flight. and had already turnc,, for lne puf-
pose, when suddenly there came d sort oi
rumbljng crash. and the ground. shaking.
heaving and ro.in. under me. began 10 crgm-
bic off into tie dread abyss. | was thrown
down, and. on NY hands ard knees, pra, ing
God for mercy, was scramollng over Il ant.
upward, TO save myseli from a mos; horrible
fate. when two block s,rollil = together, caught
my feet and legs between them. and without
actually crushing, held them as il in vice -
Then came another crash and crumble. the
lava Sid away from behind me, and | was
left upon the very verge Of the awtrl gull,
now wldened to some fifteen Or tYe.ity feet.
down into vi hch looked with horror-stram-
ed eyes, only to see darkness and death tr-
low. and breathe the almost suitocatlns Va
pors that rushed up from that seemingly bot
tomless pit.
Oh, the horrors Of that awful realization.
there a helpless but conscious prisoner, >us-
pended over the mouth OF a black and heated
abyss. TO be hurled downward by the next
great thror Ct trembling nature.
Help, help. help. for the love Of God.
help" | screamed Ill the very agony of wild
despair.
| looked up and around TO catch glimpse
q. my guide: but he was gone, and ha,. nD-
thing 20 rely on but the mercy OF heaver: ::
and PRAYED to God, rs never pra,ei he
tore, for "a forgiveness Of nv sins that they
might not follow me to Judgment. 1t might
be i second, il might be- minute. i might
BE al hour, that should have thus 10 under
60 living death. but be the tine loNy or
short. !tli there was no escap. from a doom
that even nov IiaEos mt grow pale ana
shuGder when think of il. .loDve ne Wa
a clear blue >ky-beneath ne = black auG
horrible ahysS-aroIni ne >cken..lg lapor>
mat mace ny BRAN grow dizzy. Eumh.iEg
and Kissing sounds v:..l.t,. he that another
convulsIon might occur III arv moment. and
another Woui,. lie The last Of me. Home an.
friends should nty"r see again. and ny
tomb would be the volcanic lIecla i >lrovv
WIKI the madness OF desperation to d!seugase
my Imprisoned limbs, but might IS wei
have attempted 70 move a mountain. IAtrc
| was iiXe,, and fastened for IN terrible death
| was awaiting. Oh, God Of mercy. what Il
fate,
Sudde:.iy heard 4 shout, and, looking a
round. beheId. with feelings that canno,
describe, my faithful guide fastening down
the rugged sides of the crater to my relief
He had fled in terror al the first alarming de
mons,ration. but had nohiy returned 10 >lvt
me. il possible, by rishiny lis lie :or minr.
NAV God reward him As he deserves
i warned You, master. he sail. Is he came
up painting, his eyes halt starting from his
head. and his whole countenante expressing
comminsled terror and pity.
You did You did " cried |, 'Dut oh for-
give and save me-
You are already forgiven. ma>:er. and /
viii save You if | can->avc You or per.>h
with you.
Instantly ne set 10 work with his non
pointed sick 20 break the iava around my
!inb>. but had scarcely made any progress
when aga!n the earth trcmb.ed.aau the blocks
parted, one ut them rolling dn.n INTO the
yawning cha>m with dull. hollow >5uid.-
spraus torward-l seized a hand @! l..c
guide-wc both struggled hare, ana the rcNt
moment We had both fallen, locked in each
other ) arms. upon The solid earth lbOy.. !
Was free. but still upon the verge q, the pit,
and any moment We might both b, hurled L.
destruction.
Quick, master, cried the guide: up, up.
and ran ior YOUR HE:
staggered 10 my feet with wild CRY ot
hope and fear. and halt supported b, my
faithful companion, hurried up the >lopnc
sides of the crater. As We rcach.,! the n IL.
above. the ground shook with 4 heavy eA-
piosion, and looking back. beheld with hor-
ror, a dark. smoking p;t. where We had -
la.elv stood. Ard then. without VI iitiny L.
see more, turned and tied over the rough
ground as fast as nv bruised limbs wouiG
let me-. We reached our horses in safety.
and hurryins down the mountain gave the d
larm 70 the villagers who oihcd Us in our
flight across the country till safe distance
was gained. Here bade adeu to my faith
full guide, rewardnS him as a man grateful
for the preservation o: his lite might be sup
posed 10 do. a few days later. VIXEN The
long extinct Hecla was again conyulsing the
island. and sending forth lis mighty tongues
of fire and streams of melted lava, WI, far
away from the sublime and awful scene.
thanking God was alive to tel! the story
of my wonderful escape from burning
tomb.