The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-09-15

was slowly CROPPED along, the ladies be-
ing assisted over the most rugged
places, and they were frequent. For
some time after the rain ceased steam
continued to rise, and handkerchiefs
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 We're
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. 1t was
determined to remain there and await
developments. They were not long in
coming New. outbreaks ocrnrr"" o.,
every hand, threatening to closely sur
round, if not engulf the party; and it
was deemed best to move on at any
hazard. The narrow escapes were too
numerous to mention, and just as all
hope was nearly abandoned and some
of the ladies were on the eve of giving
away to despair, another dark spot was
deserted. All speed was made toward
it, and signs of relief were breathed
when it was discovered to be verita-
BILE oasis in the devastating desert.
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 prospected about
to learn the situation.
About II o'clock all hearts were
somewhat lightened by the clouds
breaking to the eastward and the pale
moon peeping cautiously forth. ,Hilo
lay slightly to the left. but how to get
there over that lake of fame was not
at all apparent.
About half an hour later Mr.. Sever
ance, who had been missed for some
time, was called after, but no answer
came. The party grew anxious for bis
safety, and cries were repeated louder
and louder. When the excitment had
attained fever heat his welcome voice
was heard shouting the glad tidings
that he had found the way. Every
body rushed in his direction, and, being
more eager than careful, several broke
through thin crusts or stepped into
black holes and measured their length
| upon the lava, which returned their
ardent embrace with even more
warmth than was desired.
Mr.. Severance led the way for some
distance, then in detected tones said
he had losthis course. His words fell
like a death-knell upon every ear, and
the party slowly rctraced their steps.
Another start was made more DELHI
erately and terminated with more sue
cess. The horses were reached, and
the party, mounting, rode home, which
was reached about i o'clock in the
morning.
That night the flow was unusually
active and grand beyond measure.
The stream nearest town was flowing
along the bed of river, and at the
then terminus was precipitating itself
into pool at the foot Of a pretty cas-
cade falling beside it. At times tons of
lava, like melted iron, would drop into
this pool with a hiss and
a roar, followed by a thunder
ing explosion that would send the
water, now boiling, up in a vast column
of spray twenty Or thirty feet high; at
others, the lava would flow slower and
cool as it touched the waters surface,
over which it would spread like cake
of ice, thickening with the flow, till the
water could support it no longer, and
then, with report like gun, it would
break at the bank and sink to the bot
tom with tumultuous noise.
Similar phenomena, even on grand
er scale, were repeated on Wednesday
last. The flow was about half mile
lower down the river bed, from which
it had consumed all the water. Arriv-
ing at a cascade some twenty feet high,
it fell over in great red flood of flame
sixty feet wide, and was precipitated
into large pool of water nearly fifteen
feet deep, and some 100 feet in circnm-
ference. transforming it into q mani
moth caIuro1l Of frey explosives, that
sent hot spray and steam up and about
for almost incredible distances, till all
was consumed, and the pool was filled
to level with the river-bed above-an
operation which occupied about an
hour and half, during which time
nearly 1000 cubic yards Of lava were
| II