The Osceola times., 1881-10-08
A FEARFUL ADVENTURE.
Beiesgured by Fire on the burning Ha-
waiian Mountain, MAuna Loz.


waiian Mountain, Mauna Loz.
Hilo Letter in the San Francisco Bulletin.
On July IA, a party went up in the
evening to see the lava, the aspect then
being most aweinspiring. They in
tended to return by moonlight, and
walked up the flow about three-quarters
Of mile-an undertaking which mar
rowly escaped proving most disastrous.
For hours the lives OF all rested in
most precarious tenure. Having started
out over the cooler portions, however,
they gained confidence till they were 80
carried away with the inspiring excite
ment incident to their marvellous sur
rounding that they had lost much OF
their timidity and could be persuaded
even 10 the brink of a motion stream or
cataract of living flame. Hither and
thither the party flew, rapid motion be-
ing necessary to prevent the total and
and immediate destruction OF their shoes
and clothing. One particularly wide
and rapid stream 50 rivited the attention
of all, that lost in admiration and
wonder, they were for long time obvi-
GUS to their surroundings. On viewing
the situation, however, il was discovered
that further progress was cut off by
floods, liquid as water and emitting in
tense and binding heat and light. The
night had set in cloudy, and drops of
rain began to siss upon the hot lava at
their feet. As far as the eye could reach,
in every direction flames of fire were
raising heavenward and lighting up that
cloud enveloped dome with lurid wierd-
ness. Each began to inquire OF the 9TH
er the way toward home. A common
| ignorance prevailed, as no one had given
the slightest thought TO the course taken,
which had been like that of children af
ter butterflies. As the fiery floods
poured TO all points Of the compass, their
course was no guide. A hurried counsel
was held and a course determined upon
But few yards had been gone over when
/ rain began 10 fall in torrents. On touch
/ ing the lava it was instantly transformed
into steam, which, with the sulphurous
/ fumes from the fire, rose in sitting
/ clouds, so dense that an object could not
be seen six inches from the face. Fur
ther progress was impossible, and all
that could be done was TO stand away
from the fire pits and lift the feet alter
nately to prevent their burning, for the
lava was intensely hot Those who have
taken Turkish baths may form slight
conception of the situation. Each one
of the party was saturated to the skin
and their feet were puckered as though
in boiling water. To the credit of the
ladies it may be said that they acquitted
themselves noby and with rare cooluess
and presence of mind. Not one gave
the slightest symptoms of a tendency to
create q scene, though the provocation
was 30 great.
The rainfall gradually lessened and oc-
casional breaks appeared in the stream,
yet progress was dangerous and next to
impossible. The slightest misstep might
perez pitate one into furnace from
which rescue would be impossible. The
foot that entered there could never be
withdrawn. 1t would be consumed as
quickly as handful of chaf. In single
file their zigzag way was slowly CROPPED
along, the ladies being assisted over the
most rugged places and they were fire.
quent. For some time after the rain
ceased the stream continued to rise and
and handkerchief5 wet by the rain had
still to be held over the mouth and
nose. With the clearing away of the va
pors the situation only disclosed itself
with more appalling vividness. For lack
of better knowledge their footsteps led
to place darker than any other in the
vicinity. This was found to be spot
100 square yards in size, where there was
no flame, and the lava was comparative.
ly cool. 1t was determined to remain
there and await developments. They
were not long in coming. New outbreaks
occurred on every hand, threatening to
closely surround, if not engulf, the party,
and il was determined best to move on at
any hazard. The narrow escspes en-
countered were too numerous to men
ton, and just as all hope was nearly
abandoned and some of the ladies were
on the eve of giving way to despair, an
other dark spot was deserted. All
speed was made toward il, and sighs OF
relief breathed when it was discovered
| to be veritable oasis in this devastating
desert. The horses were reached, and
the party, mounting, rode home, which
was reached about o'clock in the morn.
/ ing.