Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-23


hour or two we ride in the dark, putting al
responsibility for safety on our faithful steeds
But the sight of the light from the crate
glowing upon the clouds furnishes an excite
ment that almost drives away fatigue. Thu
reader must set aside many of the ordin
airy conceptions of volcano in order to form
correct idea of Kilauea. 1t is not cavit,
on the summit of a steep and lofty cone lik'
Vesuvius, but vast pit ON the side of {
mountain. On emerging from piece o
woods the visitor comes Suddenly upon it
The elevation above the sea being only abou
three thousand feet, the ascent which is spreat
over distance of thirty miles is hardly per
ceptible. To one approaching in the nigh
there is dimly seen the outline of an immens
basin, at one extremity of which are brllian
fires, illuminating columns of smoke and thu
clouds above. The only hotel in all the Ha
waiian kingdom stands here at the edge of the
crater. 1t is a small but comfortable house o
matched roof and sides, affordng the tired
traveller welcome entertainment. From the
porch one may look down into the pit and
surging in the fury of intense action. The
clear sun of the next morning promises IA
vorable opportunity for explorations. Atten-
ton will first be attracted by the columns of
steam that rise up on every side in the inme-
date vicinity of the house, coming from
cracks and corners in the earth. At one side
suphurous gas is sent forth in immense vol
umes and by its deposits has produced bank
of sulphur, with which is joined alum and
other substances. The timid visitor may feel
some trepidation at his seeming proximity to
the fiery regions, but his courage is to be more
severely tried if he descends into the crater.
The pit is about three miles in length by two or
more in width The walls are almost precpi-
tous and vary in height from thousand to
fifteen hundred feet. 1t is simply great de-
preston ON the side of the mountain Mauna
Loa. This mountain has crater at its sum-
nit from which terrible eruptons take place
at intervals of few years. In these winter
months we may see the distant top covered
with snow. Few visitors have ever assembled
it. But scores come every year to this crater
of Kilauea to the edge of which We have
brought the reader. Let us now go down.
A fight of rude steps leads down the steepest
part of the side. Then comes a descending
path which must be trodden with some care
for there are deep chasms on either side and
occasionally deep hole 10 the middle to be
avoided. Various kinds of trees and shrubs
flourish in this part of the crater, among
which is the sandal wood. Here and there
are huge rocks which have been thrown down
from the neighboring wall by some terrible
earthquake such as often shakes this island.
The bottom of the crater is formed of beds
of recent lava, not lying in one broad surface
but in successive levels, one below another
This lava is hard black rock with crispy
surface. 1t is rent in all directions by innu
merable assures and in many places piled up il
indescribable confusion. Some idea of it may
be formed by recalling the appearance of the
ice in the Kennebec when suddenly broken
up by freshet in mid-wnter. But instead
of the crystal blocks heaped up in great
mounds and strevn in broad surfaces, imagine
hard, black rock. There are, however, other
parts comparatively smooth, over which the
way may be made without excessive difficulty
The condition of the crater is continually
changing. The molten lava breaks out al
different places, filling up pits and spreading
out in lakes, which soon become cool while
the action goes on at some other spot. In the
eruptions which from time to time take place
h., Jo,, a., I,
rim but makes its way out in subterranean
passages, and bursts from the ground at places
miles away. Advancing in our exploration
the surface soon becomes warm beneath the
feet, and in places decidedly hot Presently
the shouts of those in advance call all to a
spot where fire is to be seen. Liquid lava is
here oozing from assure and slowly flowing.
1t looks like melted iron, and has about the
consistency of thick tar. The flow is very
sluggish so that there is no danger in APP
preaching it, although the intense heat may
make one retire with scorched face and singed
clothing. We thrust canes into the lava and
lift out portions which can be bent before
cooling into any shape for specimens. Leav-
ing this spot, we advance nearer the southern
extremity of the crater, where the most ac-
ton is going on. Great columns of smoke in
dictate the fiery pits A consultation is held
as to whether it is best tn approach the near
est one. The guide, an experienced native,
encourages progress, and we go forward, not
without trepidatiOn. The volcano being in
one of its periodical states of intense activity,
more than usual caution is required. We
step over chasns of fearful depth, walk upon
hollow surfaces formed by huge bubbles in
the substances when liquid which sometimes
give way and presently draw near one of the
lakes of fire. A roaring sound is heard and a
fiery spring is seen dashing over the rim, and
falling in burning drops. The situation is not
favorable to calm contemplation. A crust
probably not more than six inches thick sep
arates US from liquid fire. There is liabili-
W thath may break out either beneath the
leet' OF below IN such manner as to cut off