The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-09-15
The Volcano Kilama.

miles, we approached the latter anC
looked over the brink. We had beer
advised in advance that the volcano
was very inactive, and, rs some thought
dying out, and we had feared to lose
our labor in coming. 1t was therefors
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 circumference.
Aside from this, the whole surface was
of pale ashen hue, giving no hint OF
what lay beneath. We pressed on to
ward the old lake. quarter of mile
further; but here our progress was inn
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
TO IA or lava rock, which lay loosely
in millions of irregular blocks of various
sizes. Though not willing TO run need
leSsly into danger, we begged the guide
TO 90 on if he thought it safe TO dc
50, for we were 10th to turn back with.
out one glimpse into Halemaumau, the
lake of everlasting fire" alter coming
five thousand miles TO see il. We all
yanced 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 q 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 windwari. 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 oyerspread 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 il, TO which we
gladly assented. Ii 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 Eeboider. AS we
were looking ct the new lake, 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
euily, just behind this stream, appeared
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 minu-es. The out
line Of the whole was similar to the |
piece known in artificial fireworks as
the flower pot and II 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 yet met |
an observer who has been similarly
favored. We were turning away, sat |
iSfed and gratilied, from the wonder |
ful display when our attention was ar
rested by a louder explos on. 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 anu 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 tOrdered with |
a rui'e of surf, until, in scarce
ly more time than it takes to |
write it, the red hO5 lava had |
surged over the whole lake, some 800 |
by ], POO leet. The surface was not |
merely corered, rs in the case of Hale
maHmau, the fountains o. the great |
deep, not of water, but of fire, were |
broken up. Three islands of black lava |
rock were in the lake at first, and two |
of these melted and disappeared before
our eyes, one careering OH its end as it |
finally succumbed. At the beginning of |
the grand outburst we were almost |
ready 30 turn and flee, for it seemed as
if the very foundations of the earth |
were giving away, but our guide had
said: ''Waft little and see what you
will 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.