New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-29

rein, suddenly threw himself on his launches AS
had not dared to rely much upon the stirrups was
flung over his head, and came down with that sort of
shock which is violent in proportion to ones
weight. But neither the pony's native goodness
his intelligence failed him. saw hoof almost over
my face. coming down; but quick as lightning, he
sharply bent his knee threw the foot backward with
all his force, and brought it upon the turf beside
Then he quietly waited for me to rise and mounts
but Eyvindur insisted that should take his taller
animal.
There is be or farmstead, at the foot of the hill
the hot springs lie Just beyond along the eastern
base, and not much above the level of the plain. A
space 400 yards in length by 100 in breadth includes
the two Geysers the Strokr, and about twenty
smaller springs. We rode between the latter which
were simply boiling and roaring from holes in bed
of sihcious rock. Beyond them came the Strokr,
larger and more furious PIT, then patch of green
turf on which the tents were already pitched for the
royal party, and beyond it low, craterlike eleva-
tion half vailed in steam, which was rather reluc-
tant to recognize as the Great Geyser. But there
was no other caldron beyond it half a dozen men
were standing about the brim-yet it looked so
natural and harmless
Some of the Kings attendants, while advising MS
where to encamp stated that the Geyser had spouted
once that morning and twice the day before. ms
was unwelcome news, for the guides had already
told us how capricious 1t could be- sometimes going
off several times in quick succession, and then re-
naming sullenly quiet for week. There was no
time to think OF that now; our baggage arrived,
and after eleven hours in the saddle we sighed only
for rest and food The tent was pitched on a turfy
slope near the highest boiling spring (which is close
beside the Great Geyser but seems to have no con-
nection with it, and GER was sent to village three
miles off, to procure us fuel hay for bedding, and
fresh milk At my suggestion the cook placed some
canned meats in the spring, which prepared them
for use in very short space of time Half an hour
later the King arrived and the whole place became,
to the eve, a sort of holiday picnic ground, where
the steaming pillars suggested only cooking.
slept soundly, but some members of our party
were excited and restless. Toward morning, there
were several mysterious underground thumps, which
sent them posting to the Geysers brim; but only
denser steam and heavier overflow OF water fol-
lowed. The scene in the morning was curious we
took our toilet articles, and went half-dressed, to
the hollow between the Geyser and the spring,
where the surplus overflow is shallow and luxe
warm. 1t was already occupied; royal chamber
lain was scoopng up water in his hands. an admiral
was dipping his toothbrush into the stream, Co.
penhagen professor was laboriously shaving himself
by the aid of looking glass stuck in crack OF the
crater and the King neat and fresh as II at home,
stood ON the bank and amused himself with the
sight. The quality of the water is exquisite; it is
like down and velvet to the skin, soap becomes
finer substance in it, and the refreshment given to
the hands and face seems to permeate the whole
body If one could only have a complete bathl A
days labor would make pool sufficient therefor,
vet the idea has never occurred to single SOUL ma
tive or foreign!
did not dare to venture a quarter of mile away
from the Geyser during the whole day. We all
fell into condition of nervous expectancy which
could not be escaped, comical were some of its
features There was pile of turf-perhaps cart
load-beSide the Strokr, which lay just below our
tent, and we were told that the caldron would be
compelled to spout for the King, soon as he mad
finished his breakfast; so sat down contented to
the second plover-stew which Mr.. Gladstone and
Dr.. Hayes had provided for us. The farmer from
whom we had procured fuel sent us several bottles
of delicious cream, and large salmon for dinner.
The Strol,r is pit about five feet in diameter and
eight feet deep to the ordinary level of the water
which is always in a furious boiling state. Prof.
Steenstrup assured that is not connected with
the Great Geyser as the analysis of the water shows
difference; but the people are equally convinced
that it u.s. and that toprovoke its activity diminishes
the chances of the former spouting. However TINS
NAV be- the royal command was given. The pile OF
turf was pitched into the hole, and all gathered
around. at safe distance, waiting to what would
follow.
For ten minutes we noticed nothing except DIM
mutton of steam: then the water gushed up to the
level of the soil. in state OF violent agitation
subsded rose again spouted the full breadth of the
hole to hight of Is or % feet, sank back, and
finally, after another moment of quiet shot humid
red feet into the air. The boiled turf, reduced to
the consistency of gravel, filed the jet and dark
ened its central shaft, but L did not find that 1t
diminished the beauty of the phenomenon Jet
after let followed, sending long plume-like tufts
from the summit and sides of the main column
around which the snowy drifts OF steam whirled
and eddied with a grace SO swift that the eye could
scarcely seize it. At such moments the base was
hidden, aud the form of the fountain like
bunch of the Panpas grass in bloSsom-a cluster OF
feathery panices of spray.
The performance lasted nearly ten minutes and
was resumed again two three times after it seemed
to have ceased Two OF three of the last spoutings
were the highest and some estimated them at fully
100 feet Finally. the indignant caldrOn threw out
the last of its unclean emetic and sank to ITS normal
level. The King who had turned aside to salute
our company in the act of expressing to me bis
admiration of the scene, when the Little Geyser
gave sudden signs of action. There was rush of
the whole party ; His Majesty turned and ran like
boy, jumping over the gulies and stones with an
| agility which must have bewildered the heavy
officials 1t was false alarm. The Little Geyser
let off few sharp discharges of steam, if merely
to test the pressure, and then as if satisfied, re-
| sumed its indolent, smoky habit.
The cone of the Great Geyser is not more than 20
| feet high. and appears to have been gradually
formed by the deposit of the silieious particles
which tie water holds in solution. The top is like
shallow wash-bowl 80 feet in diameter, full to tue
brim, and slowly overlooking on the eastern side.