Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-09-22

Beleaguered ~ Fire on theBurn-
ing hawaiian Mountain, Mauna
L0a.

Hilo Letter in San Francisco Bulletin.
On July IA a party went up in the
evening. to see tho lava, the aspect
then being most we-inspiring. They
intended to return by moonlight, and
walked up the flow about three-auar.
ters OF q mile-an undertaking which
narrowly escaped proving disastrous.
For hours the lives of all rested on
q most precarious tenure. Having
started out over the cooler portions,
however, they gained confidence till
they were so carried away with the
inspiring excitement incident to their
marvellous surroundings that they had
lost much of their timidity and could
be persuaded even to the brink Of q
molten stream or cataract of living
fame.
Hither and thither the party few,
rapid motion being necessary to pre-.
vent the total and Immediate destruc-
ton Of their shoes and clothing. One
particularly wide and rapid stream so
rivited the attention OF all, that, lost
in admiration and wonder, they were
for a long time oblivious to their sur
~roundings. On viewing the situation,
however, it was discovered that further
progress was cut off by foods, liquid
as water and emitting intense 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 ud-Cnveloped dome with .
lurid weirdness. Each began TO in
quire of the other the way toward
home. A common ignorance prevailed,
as nc one had given the slightest
thought to the course taken, which
had been like that of children after
butterflies.
As the fiery foods poured to all
points Of the compass, their course
was no guide. A hurried council was
held and a course determined upon.
But q few yards had been gone over
when rain began to fall in torrents.
On TOUCHING 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 seer six inches
from the face. Further progress was
impossible, and alhthat could be done
was to stand away from. the fire pits
and lift the feet alternately to prevent
their burning, for the lava was i'm
mensely hot. Those who have taken
Turkish baths may form a slight con-
ception 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 symphonic
Of q tendency to create a scene, though
the p%r0vocation was so great.
The rainfall gradually lessened anC
occasional breaks appeared in thu
stream, yet progress was dangerOul
and next to impossible. The slightesI
miSstep might precipitate n into I
furnace from which rescue would b,
impossible. The foot that entered
there could never be Withdrawn. /
would he consumed as quickly as 1
handful of chat. In single file theil
zigzag way was slowly CROPPED along
the ladies' being assisted Over the mos
rugged places and they were frequent
For some time after the rain ceased
the steam continued to rise and hand
k~erchiefs wet by the rain had still tC
be held over the mouth and nose
With the clearing away Of the vapOr'
the situation only disclosed itself with
more appalling vividness. For lacI
of better knowledge their footsteps
led to a place darker than any othel
in the vicinity.
This was found to be a spot 10(
square yards in size, where there wa
no fame, and the lava was compare
lively cold. 1t was determined II
remain there and await developments
They were not long in coming. New
outbreaks occurred on every hand
threatening to closely surround, if no
engulf, the party, and it was deemed
best to move on at any hazard. Thi
narrow escapes encountered were to,
numerous to mention, and just as al
hope was nearly abandoned and som,
Of the ladies we're on the eve of givinI
way to dispair another dark spot wa
deserted. All speed was made TOWARD
it, and signs of relief breathed whel
it was discovered to be a veritabl,
oasis in this devastating desert. Tn,
horses were reached, and the party
mounting, rode home, which wa
about one o'clock in the morning.
Premature Loss Of the Hair