The National tribune., 1890-04-17

left the animals at Malsawoa, a village near the
top, and passed the night ou the summit Of the
mountain. The next morning We beheld a
most glorious sunrise. II was still cloudy on
top, where we were. and the mouth of the
crater WAS obscured, but with the sun came
the wind. Strong currents began TO circulate
through the crater gaps, the yApoT began 10
move In great masses toward n gorge in the
eastern wall. Higher rose the wind, aud faster
and faster the clouds swept along. Dctach-
ments fingered, elinging TO the walls, but old
Borens whired in amongst the crags. drove the
laggards of the crater depths, and left the
black gulf exposed to view.
At length il became light enough 10 see the
extent and nature of the interior. Two thou
sand feet below us appeared tho vast Aoor. COW
cred with great heaps of ashes and banks of
cinders Rows OF black craters yRwned. and
here and there appeared the red nav of an
isolated Gre-cone. Lava belts. Coured gray,
black, blue and red. miles in width. stretched
their suuOus length over the bed. The tower
ing sides of the charred abyss were like walls
OF jet. The eastern crags varied IN hight; on
the north the barricadeS rose black as if hewn
from concentrated darkness. while tho south
wall lifted up sheer precipiee from the earth.
The crater is oval in its general shape, nino
miles in length, four in breadth. and 81 in cir.
cumferenCe. In its bosom could be recei we'd
the cratcrs Of Tenerifle, Yesuvius, Heca,
Bromo, Chimbnrazo. Popocatapetl, aud space
for others would yet DO left.
Very still, very solemn il was away up there
in the cloud region, and we turned from the
awesome sight below TO look over the mount
aims. For 200 miles around stretched the peace
ful ocean, dotted here and there with white
sails aud slcts. To the southeast the snow
topped peaks Hawaii CLEANED in the sun
light. Northward. the clouds nontod peace
fully about the mountains Of Oahu aud the
broken ranges of Molokai To the east aud
west lay the other green islands of the archi-
pclago with their beautiful tropical vc getati0n
and their caneficIds and white villages
But We were here for the descent. and fol.
lowing our guide along the summit about "a
mile we came upon an entrance down through
the rocks. Hargrove pushed ahead, and "A no-
ment later heard m exclamation. Hurrying
on plunged, waist deep, in soft ashes. There
Was no help for IL, SO we founderOd on, at times
up to our arm,pits In the soDty mass. Every
little while portion would separate aud there
would follow grand nshslide, sweeping as
along with il for many rods aud nearly burying
u.s. Az far rs VIC could see great ashhnnks ex-
tended along the ellis aud down the crater
sides aud over this surface we must descend to
the bed OF the dead volcano. The ashes were
dry, aud almost every step caused a slide.
Looking up / beheId almost directly behind
us. an immense slide that had just started aud
calling 10 my companions wo made frantic
Efforts 30 get out Of the way. We struggled on.
that awfui gray mass sweeping nosrlrssly. rc.
sistiesaiy. down apon Us, gathering bulk as 1t
drew nearer. until exhausted with our en-
dcayors, VIC sank down just rs il rushed by 90.
filling the air with whifliug powder so hne
and penetrating that eyes. nostriis aud cars
were choi.ed with 1t.
We finally rcEained breath sufficient 20 con
tiune our downward slide. for there was little
walking now. We began 10 get frightened.
To 20 back was imposslh.ewe must 20 on.
The masses of ashes atoyo us seemed ready
to break mt any moment aud rush down aud
oyerwhelm us. All araual was nothing but
gray ashes and black walls Our stats OF mind
was not rendered more delightful by the sight
Of the horns Of mountain goat sticking mp ont
OF the ashes. Poor fellow. he had hecn buried
by a slide. Was that 10 DO our fale1 Just then