The National tribune., 1891-12-03

sails were visible. Tho faint morning mist
blended with the smoke issuing from the cot
taRes below, while close 10 the house water
fail, formed of two streams, one boiling hot the
other cold, Joined with steaming spray in a
leap Of fully 100 feet
Bat we were not long allowed 10 lnger, for
our rising had been observed, and dainty
maidens came with towels 10 lead us to the
bath. That finished, breakfast Of mountain
| trout partakCn with our friends opened the
duties of the day. Sending a messenger TO
HakoBi TO ordera boat 90 meet us at the west end
OF the lake, and bidding our friends an adieu,
with promises 60 see them soon at their home
Dan and ] strobe away along the path which
took rs to Otomit0nge. il was a good six
miles, FIRST down Hill, then along the bottom Of
the valley, and then for mile mp an almost
perpendicular mOuutain-side 10 the pass.
We covered the distance in two hours, and as
we flung ourselves down on the grassy top Of
the divide, a grand and glorious view lay at
our very feet For 1900 feet the mountain
side went down sharp aud very steep Then a
wide valley spread out, reaching on one hand
10 the sea, forty miles away, while right across
the valley Fuji rose, a perfect cone, with a sweep
oil thirty miles from the sea level 10 its snow
crowned summit, hight, IL is said OF $4,000
feet.
Well could we understand why il was rever-
encod, and WY ID is "Oh! great and holy
Fugi!' have visited that spot four times
aud each time j feel anew the glorious sublim-
ity. lt is monarch worthy Of homage.
We rested, ieasting our eyes on its beauties
Tor an hour and then leaving the path followed
the top edge OF the mountain chain for several
miles until we gained point directly opposite
the west end OF Lake HakOni. Here again we
rested until We saw tiny speck moving toward
rs across the lake. il was our boat. The de-
scent was easy, for the soft volcanic ashes lay
deep upon the ground, aud we had only 10
make start downward 70 keep on going, COW
erlng at each stride from 10 TO 20 feet, and
bringing up at the foot of the steep incline
EXHAUSTED AND DUSTY
Hurying TO the lake we took a plunge and
busted out our clothes, SO that when our
Charon reached the shore we were clean once
more, besides cool and rested. Embarking we
rowod slowly back up the lake, enjoying the
mountain scenery, which. reflected in The calm
water, seemed TO touch the very sides Of our
boat.
The town Of Hallon lies upon the edge Of
the lake, and we landed from the boat in the
garden of the tca-house where we were TO
lodge aud had our supper in the open air with
glorious lGji in sight across the lake, rosy in
the glow Of the setting sun.
The next day we walked TO Atami, little
seacoast town of 20 houses built on the beach
at the foot OF 3000-l foot ciH Here also were
bot iron baths. The mistake we made was de-
scendlng TO the village instead Of resting on
the cliff, and thus saving the steep climb up;
Tor there WAS not thing worth seeing at the
village, while the ocean view from the nights
was grand. IL was only a mile from this point
That the French mail steamer Nile was
wrecked some years later, and every soul lost.
The great rolling waves Of the Pacific strike
here against the black volcanic reefs and lodges
unchecked by any of-lying islands and the
roar even IN the calmCst times is incessaut and
awe-inspirng
We reached Hakoni late IN the evening well
tired out by our heavy hill climbing and Is
miles 0! distance, so concluded 10 rest The next
day, Sunday. IL passed very quietly, forthe ma
tVes pursued their usual ayOcati0ns, every 10Th
day being their holiday instead Of every sew
eBth.
On Monday very carly we once more took
the road, and by Tuesday evening reached the
little village OF SLu -ba-shiri, built some 5000
feet above sea level on tho northern slope Of
Full IL is quaint little Alpine-likc village,
Win sharp gables, steep, rocky streets and lit
Tie rivers down the water course ia the center
OF each street. crossed by curious stone bridges.
The Villagers all turned out TO see the two
Americans who wanted to ascend Fuji &C that
season, aud plenty OF cold water was thrown on
the plan. without dispuling the sOlidity Of
Their arguments we made all our purchases,
aud finding native who would guide US,
hired hlm, with pacl-horse and driver.
Our plan was to push on up TO the snow line
with the horse who carried two crates Of char
COAL large bucket Of cooked rice, a teapot,
two cups, and pound Of tea and two hoavy-
wadded quilts This would take us until noon.
Then, with the guide ard driver % carry all
our stores TO some sheltered spot as high up rs
possible, aud building a protection from tho
wind, we would light our FIRE, camp out all
night reach the summit the next dav. and
come down TO the village If possible; il not,
stop az the FIRST nights camp aud come down
the next morning. IL was feasible, and
NOT CONGRATULATIONS.
When we explained 10 the guido the plan he