The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-08-15
The Volcano Kll.ma.

| TLne are at present two active point,
in KilaMa, known as the old and new
lakes. After walk of two or thre,
miles, We approached the latter anC
looked over tie brink. We had beer
advised in advance that the volcano
was very inactive. and, as some thought
dying out, and we had feared to lost
our labor in coming. 1t was therefore
with feelings of mingled relief and awe
that we saw single spot of living fire
in the midst of the lake. though it wa:
only two or three feet in circum ference
Aside from this, the whole surface was
of a pale ashen hue, giving no hint Of
what lay beneath. We pressed on TO-
ward the old lake, quarter of a mile
further; but here our progress was i'm
peded by choking sulphurous gases.
The guile hesitated and expressed his
doubts of the wisdom of proceeding,
especially as the whole conformation in
the immediate vicinity of the lake had
changed greatly since his last visit.
The pahoehoe gives place near the lakes
in millions of irregular blocks of various
81 es. Though not willing to run need
lesSly into danger, we begged the guide
to go on if he thought it safe to do
50, for we were 10th to turn back with
out one glimpse into Halema,lmau. the
lake OF Everlasting fire, after coming
five thousand miles to see it. We adj
vanced cautiously, clambering over the
wall of rocks and covering our faces to
the eyes to avoid inhaling the noxious
fumes, and presently reach a point
whence We could look straight into the
center of the lake. We were rewarded by
seeing real fire fountain. The active
spot was perhaps sixty feet across, and
from the center of this the fiery liquid
rose to the height of several feet, fall
ing with heavy, sullen sound, only to
rise again in jets of increasing height.
Our situation was too dangerous for us
to remain where we were. but our
guide succeeded in finding spot
further to the windward, where it was
possible to breathe, and from whence
we had good view of the whole lake.
A second fountain appeared, and from
the two the liquid lava Overspread and
REDEEMED the entire surface while we
gazed with wondering eyes. The sound
of rolling rocks indicated the uncertain
ty of our position, and the guide
thought it imprudent to remain later
than the short twilight. and we willing
ly followed him as he led the way with
lighted lantern in the direction of our
distant beacon. now distinctly visible.
As we approached the new lake for the
second time the guide proposed that
we take another look a. it, to which we
gladly assented. 1t was now crossed
and recrossed by bright lines and
seams, though still comparatively in
active. The scenery around both
lakes is grand and impressive in the ex-
treme, fit setting for the lakes them
selves. Gloomy and irregular cliffs and
crags, wrapped in clouds of sulphurous
smoke, intensified the effect and deep
ened the awe OF the beholder. As we
were looking at the new lake, a small
stream of lava broke from its ir-
regular surface and flowed in one
direction, though far below us, giving
opportunity to study its current. Pres
entity, just behind this stream, appeared
a long opening apparently not more
than an inch or two in width. From
this slit, or crevice, there rose before
our astonished vision a multitude of
stars and rockets. These assembled with
perfect regularity 10 the height of one
hundred feet or more, accompanied
with explosions, and continuing for
some ten or fifteen minutes. The out
line OF the whole was similar to the
piece known in artificial fireworks as
the flower pot and it was difficult to re-
sist the impression that some one be-
hind the scenes, or rather below them,
was controlling the whole with precis-
ion. This is phenomenon very rarely
observed, and in fact have not vet met
an observer who has been similarly
favored. We were turning away, sat
isied and gratilied, from the wonder
full display when our attention was ar
rested by louder explosion. From the
right hand corner of the lake, on the
side most remote from our point of OBJ
servation, the crust had been tossed in
to the air, under leaning cliff, and the
hot lava poured forth over the surround
ing crust. This gave way and new vol
umes rushed from the vast cauldron be-
low. 1t rolled and rippled and bubbled !
in fiery comb or surf. This process
was repeated again and again, the edge !
of the food always bordered with !
a ruffle of surf, until, in scarce
ly more time than it takes to |
write it, the red hot lava had |
surged over the whole lake, some 800 /
by 200 feet. The surface was not |
merely covered, as in the case of Hale |
maumau, the fountains OF the great |
deep, not of water, but of fire, were !
broken up. Three islands of black lava
rock were in the lac at first, and two
Of these melted and disappeared before
our eyes, one careering on its end as it !
flnaiiy succumbed. At the beginning of |
the grand outburst we were almost |
ready to turn and flee, for it seemed as
# the very foun lations of the earth
were giving away, but our guide had
said: wait little and see what you
viii see." The rocks grew perceptibly |
warmer under our feet and from the /
assures beside us came in increasing
volume the heated vapors, but still we
fingered to see the whole of the great
wonder. 1t would have been equally
easy to cry aloud or to weep in silence.
We could only grasp each other and
watch with bated breath the display,
which it is equally impossible to mag
ne or describe, but which repaid us a
for all it had cost.
The awful grandeur of the scene
Nor tongue nor pen can tell;
These lurid. never ce using fires
Are fitting types of hell.
Yet glad we know a God to love
Still reigns supreme in Heaven above.
-H0n0tutu Cor. froCidencc Journal.