The Hawaiian gazette., 1891-09-01
LATEST FROM THE VOLCANO.
A Trip to the Level of the New
Lake.

The lake o. boiling fire, seemingly so
inaccessible, for a long time had been an
irresistible attraction TO us at the Vol
cano House.
Our courage being at last g screwed 10
the sticking point,p we gathered our
selves together to make the attempt to
reach it. The long tramp across the old
lava bed being accomplished, we were
ready to begin the descent into the pit.
And now we found that the same con-
vuIsions which made the pit opened a
way to reach the bottom. A great crack
had been opened in the edge of the cliff,
going deeper and deeper with many
winding and turning.
Through this we took our way, now
creeping oyer boulders large enough to
make house, often leaping over cracks
apparently bottomless, and almost suffo-
Gated by the heated and suiphurous wind,
we came to the last slope composed of
loose rock, lying Just as it fell from the
frowning walls above. Now, indeed, we
held our breath lest mis-step should
start an avalanche which would bury rs
forever under thousands of tons of rock.
Our descent is, indeed our ambition
gratiiied-we stand in the presence Of
Madame Pele, face 10 face. What if she
should resent this intrusion on hitherto
forbidden ground, and with a little wilder
outburst than usual overwhelm US in an
anUrv torrpuf Of molten rock 2
Well, we came to make specimens,
and make them we would, whether
Madame objected or no. Even if she
should show resentment in the way
mentioned, we were sure to accomplish
our purpose by making rare specimens
indeed.
We found 1t much easier to approach
the lava than was imagined it would be.
Inside the main or original wall the lake
has built for itself an inner combining
wall. AS each successive wave sweeps
up it pushes upon this wall a thin crust
of solid Ia &, SO gradually building it up.
BY climbing down into the the mote or
ditch between these two walls and
crouching down behind the inner one,
we were able to reach the lava
All ready for specimens, hands seek
the convenient pockets only to come out
empty, while we eye each other in dis
may. We had failed to provide our
selves with any change. But necessity
is the mother of invention" Penknives,
sundry suspender buttons. ETC., were put
to new and strange uses.
Now, with our lungs filled with sui
phur, with hands blistered and singed,
the excitement of playing with the mol
ten rock began TO pail. The holder ones
of the party proposed to walk around the
lake ''to see how large it was" Here
our Unborn timidity broke forth in vain
circumstances. But "they would do it
you know" and, not wishing to be left
behind, we meekly followed their lead.
We found itrequired Sl0paces to make
the circuit. Allowing 100 PAGES for ir-
regularities, the lake must be 700 feet in
diameter.
Now we were ready for the climb up
those towering cliffs above us, and-well,
the less said about that climb the better.
Sufficient to say, however, we at last
reached the level of the world again.
With cut and blistered hands, torn
clothing and sulphur-choked lungs, we
sat down to recover and count our troph-
les. We find we have just one apiece
left; the rest having been demolished
during some of our impromptu acrobatic
feats in the ascent.
We all agreed we would not have
missed the trip into the pit for the world.
While we were equally agreed as to our
willingness to miss all future attempts to
meet Madame Pele on her own ground.
HIP. B.