The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-10-08

was cut on by floods, liquid as water,
and emitting an intense and binding
heat and light. The night had set in,
clouds and drops of rain began to siss
upon the hot lava at their feet. As far
as the eye could reach in every direc-
ton, flames of fire were rising heaven
ward and lighting up that cloud-envel-
oped dome with alurid weirdness. Each
began to inquire of the other 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
after butterflies. As the fiery floods
poured toward all points of the compass
their course was no guide. A hurried
council was held and course deter
mined upon.
But few yards had been gone over
when rain began total in torrents. On
touching the lava it was instantly trans
formed into steam, which, with the sui
phurous fumes from the fire. rose in
sitting clouds. 80 dense that an object
could not be seen at distance OF six
inches from the face.
Further progress was impossible, and
all that could be done was to stand
away from the fire pits and lift the feet
alternately to prevent their burning, for
the lava was intensely not. Those who
have taken Turkish baths may form q
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 nobly and with
rare GOODNESS and presence of mind.
Not one gave the slightest symptoms of
tendency to create a scene, though
the provocation was so great.
The rainfall gradually lessened and
occasional breaks appeared in the steam.
yet progress was dangerous and next
to impossible. The slightest misstep
might precipitate one into q furnace
from which rescue would be impossible.
The foot that entered there could never
be withdrawn. It would be consumed
as quickly as a handful of chat. In
single file their zigzag way was slowly
CROPPED along, the ladies being assisted
over the most rugged places, and they
were frequent. For some time after
the rain ceased steam continued to rise,
and handkerchief wet by the rain had
still to be held over the mouth and
nose.
With the clearing away of the vapors
the situation only disclosed itself with
more appalling vividness. For lack of
better knowledge their footsteps were
directed to a place darker than any
other in the vicinity. This was found
to be spot about 100 square yards in
size, where there was no flame and the
lava was comparatively cold. Near the
center stood tree trunk, and close by
lay another, which had been cut down
but not entirely consumed by the
flames. 1t was dragged over to the up
right one, upon which an end was
placed, and thus seat was improvised
for the ladies. while the gentlemen
consulted apart as to the direction of
Hilo and the way to get there.
- Ii the moon would only rise, T" they
said; "or if the clouds would only
break, that we might see the stars, we
might be able to guess our way"
These and other equally, If not more,
vain wishes were expressed. 1t was
finally determined to remain there and
avail Developments. They were not
long in coming. New outbreaks oc-
CURED on every hand. threatening to
closely surround, If not enguif, the par
ty; and it was deemed best to move on
at any hazard. The narrow escapes
encountered 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 it and signs of relief
breathed when it was discovered to be
veritable oasis in this devastating des-
ert. Greensward was felt beneath the
tread and pools of warm water were
stepped into continually. Cool lava
patches were selected for the ladies to
sit upon, while the gentlemen pros
pected about to learn the situation.
So excited were the ladies by this
time that one sat down with her feet
and clothing in q pool of water without
knowing or caring about it; another let
the end of her hair, which was braided
down her back, fall into crevice in q
lava wave, against which she leaned in
sitting, and in which q great mass OF
her hair was burned off; still another
let her bonnet and waterproof 90 with
out a thought. All complained alter.
nately of heat and cold. wondering Il
they would be safe there till morning,
for it had been concluded that further
progress was fraught with too great
danger, and they might run into worse,
if not inextricable places. To be sure,
the aspect of things just behind was
very threatening. while there appeared
no possible outlet ahead, and the situa-
ton, already critical, might prove i'm.
minently fatal at any moment.
About eleven o'clock all hearts were
somewhat Ightened by the clouds
breaking to the eastward and the pale
moon peeping cautiously forth. Hilc
lay slightly to the left, but how to gel
over that lake of flame was not at all
apparent.
About half an hour later, Mr.. Sever.
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