The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-10-01

be three-quarters Of the way to the Vol
cano House at least Once in the saddle,
however, and well on the journey again,
and we felt very glad that the stopping
place was just where it happened to be
The journey lay through forest glades
with giant ferns and nativetrees on every
side. 1t was a cool and delightful ride.
The trail is broad enough for six horse
men to ride abreast, and the distance
from the pail or summit to the Volcano
House may be ridden at a gallop. But
although well mounted We did not push
our horses, preferring TO travel slow and
take in the glorious scene.
We arrived at the Volcano House at 9
q. m, and there found a good breakfast
awaiting Us, with excellent service Our
appetites being sharpened by the forest
ride, full justice was done to the break
fast The Volcano House has been COM
pletely renovated since it passed into
Mr.. WiIder's hands. Every appoint
ment about the house is excellent The
beds are comfortable and clean, and the
table all that could possibly be expected
in variety, etc, in such an out-of-the-way
place, on the slope Of Maunutoa, near the
great crater OF Kiauea between 1000
and 600 feet above sea level, on the
island OF Hawaii, thousands OF miles out
in the Pacific Ocean. The Volcano
House is wei managed by Mr. Maby,
who is fortunate in having SO admirable q
housekeeper as his wife to assist him.
agement Of the Volcano House since Mr.
Maby took charge is 50 marked as 10 de
serve special mention. The one draw
back of the Volcano trip in the olden
time-that is, until the recent change
was the wretched accommodation at
this, the only house OF call or shelter, at
or near the crater Tourists had no al
tentative and were compelled to put up
with .scanty fare, hard beds and lack Of
ordinary ciyility. Now all is changed for
the better, and the house and its man
agement is everything that could be de
sired. \ medicine chest and other APP
piiances in case OF illness or accident
are now available on the spot.
After breakfast We took stroll TO the
sulphur banks and other points of inter
est near the Volcano House, and having
thoroughly rested ourselves we partook
Of lunch, which is served, it should be
remarked, to suit the convenience of
tourists who may desire to visit the era
ter during the evening. We made a
start for the volcano after dinner, about
p. m, and soon made the descent into
the crater. This part OF the trip has been
so often described that l need not par
ticularize. Our way lay over the lava
floor OF the great. crater, and from the
Volcano House We travelled on foot
about two and a half miles. OF course
we had a couple of guides. Our party
was handy one as to numbers, six ex-
elusive of the guides 1t was a congo
NAL one as to temperament, habits and
experience, therefore the trip was an
agreeable and enjoyable one. And good
fellowship and congeniality OF tempera-
ment are never more fully appreciated
than during the trying, stimulating, sur
prising, exciting and awe-inspiring ex-
perience OF an after-dinner call upon
Madam Pele, at her home-place of Hale
maumau, or III her adjacent caloric re-
treat at New Lake.
We had lanterns to enable us to pick |
our way across the lava crust OF the era /
ter at night, avoiding cracks and assures
through which the glowing fire below /
was discernible, and where the cor
poreal part OF man, if he happened !
to drop through a chink in the lava !
floor, would not add half a spoonful of !
gravy to the imneasurable mess of hell |
broth that boils and bubbles below. But
we passed safely through the ordeal, /
thanks to the very efficient guides who |
piloted us, and to our own courage which |
bore US bravely in the face of this burn
ing danger.
We took up our station near The New
Lake, waiting until darkness came on,
for it is during the night that the fiery
exhibition is seen to the greatest advan-
-t'St- W IiGli We AMY GU tlltIt, llllS rake
Of fire was quiescent Sheol had frozen
over, 50 to speak, black crust of lava
having formed on the surface of the lake,
rom the action OF the atmosphere dur
ng its condition of temporary repose.
Half an hour was spent waiting on the
margin Of the lake when it began show
ne signs of breaking up. Cracks OF fire
scanned the lava crust. Jets of
iery lava shot up, and the Iurid foun-
aims began to play. The molten mass
Joiled and bubbled over, and soon what
lad been a blackened crust OF Stag was
Transformed into Il soothing, boiling, pal
'itating lake of fire. There was a big
torn somewhere in the neither regions
# fire and flame and the waves Of this
axe OF fire, dashed into fury, dashed in
urving pillows against the restraining
walls, sending the fiery spray in air full
ilty feet. 1t was a grand and awe-in-
piring spectacle. We were fortunate in
ur visit. The Goddess PeIc was in high
pirits and received us in her best mood.
This eruption lasted about thirty-five
minutes, when the lake began to settle
own again We tlprpupou started to