The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-03
(For the Democratl
AHsnSG E'EEs; aNzs.TaS.l
ISLANDS.
'''ssisO.h

Onward and onward the burning
river rolled, until within five OR six
miles from the shore, its course dI>
rect for the town and halbor, with
fewer obstacles in its way than had
airca " been overcome, it seemed
the fate OF IIi;o was sealed. Another
fact is, that its near approach to the
town of H;lo, its sanguin AIRY glare
its steady. resistIess and relentless
progress mocking the fear of the peo
Pie, defying all human skill or power,
and demon Stratilg to mathematical
certainty that, unless arrested by al
unseen and omnipotent hand, the
destruction of Hilo was only cues
ticn Of time, produced among all
Classes tlougtfui seriousness,
amounting IN some instances to
alarm. SO nearly certain did it for
some months appear that this fiery
deluge would roll over the town, tha;
many, probably most Of the people,
laid their plans and concerted meas
ures to escape with such property as
could be removed.
Under these threatening dangers
prayer was offered without ccasiug
in the churches OF Hilo. A day of
Solemn fasting and prayer was also
observed by the people Of Hilo both
by natives aud foreigners, and few
even OF tue unbelieving class cxhib-
tied the least dlsrespect for the coca
sion. Most seemed impressed with
the propriety and solemnity Of the
act.
On the 15 th of February, 1855,
SIX months from the commencement
OF the How, and when tue lower point
OF the Stream vas within six miles
or tile sea, and when to all human
appearance, the action from the sum
nit crater to the terminus Of the flow
was unahated, suddenly and unex-
pecteuly the fiery river ceased to flow
l"ngitudinally and from hat day has
made advaDcc towards the coast.
HIS was marvellous, because the gre
at feeder on the summit crater IVES in
full blast, and because the unmaas>
urcd Hoods oi igneous minerals were
poured dow the mountain for nine
months after date, li,shteAlng up the
forests with 4 lurii glare and fur.
nisliing scene OF grand aud sublime
interest by day and by night. Thus
tor three fonilhs OF a year the rocks
were reading, the hills melting snd
the mountains flowing down before
the people, flashing in their iaces,
rolling, leaplDg, tossing, uttering
and threatening to sweep over them
while an unseen hnnd held back tLs
burning toreAt. That Hilo is not no "
sleeping undera pail ofebon black
ness, that her glorious landscape is
not blotted from the face OF nature.
her beautiful harbor chokeA with
rocks, her songs hushed. her happy
dwellings from view. seems miracle.
Aauna Loa, and khRueG are still
barains since The great eruption
mentioned above there have been
several others less worthy Of cote.
around Loe towa car now he see a
aw.H of lava which has become hard
en'a BY age, and resembles roel@.
Hor-es are ve.y plentiful a-noag
thes- islan,is snd can be hired at one
dollar per day. There being 3 beau
THU drive along the se4shore. lined
with cocoannt aAd banana trees,
horses are in great demand while
vessels are iD the haYbar
Ihere are several other ports On
this island which | think would In
tercst our readers.
healakcakua situated on the Wes-
tern side OF Hawaii was long ccle'