The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-31
TEE PLANT was AFTER HIM
A M.n's Marrow Escspe rror- Vegetable
Octopus In Hawaii.

Prom he Hcno,nIn Adr,rH.,r
In the latter part OF tho year 1867 / was
commissioned by tho Belgian Government to
find q certain rare wandering plant that was
believed to grow on the higher slopes OF
Maupa Kea, q large extinct volcano situated
in the northern part Of Hawaii hid n station
built on one OF the wooded slopes of the noun
tain far away from any other hubiation. NV
only COMPANION was a native " lo had lived all
his life on this pnrt 2' t9S island. About twice
needful supplies for our camp. This native:
who said that his ancestors Gro" big chiefs
whose bones lay secretly buried in caves on
the mountain sides. was very old, although he
could climb Gallons and scale lava ellis with
During on" Of my botanizing excursions
passed by, the mouth OF u narrow canon. or
gorge. and asked pili, the old '.atiyc. il lie
came Interested in his nirc. and ,ddn't know
anything about the gulch and didn't under
stand what said. This was rather strange in
Pill for natives generally know every rock aud
tree In the section where they i've and knew
Pill was lying when he said lie did not under
80. naturally, determined to examine into
the mysterious ravine, Some time ftcr this
was walking with lii down n gontle sorc
He walked back few rods and sat down on a
STUMP Not IT, a word would he shy , | negan
more puzzled my. brain over a problem az
Ind never done before, What ! found was
this: circular area OF about 100 yards in
diameter. thickly covered with the hleachod
remains II birds, animals. and human beings
These CHASTITY relies were scattered among the
w.ra near at The centre centre in fact tound That
the homes became gradual smaller as APP
Ia the the It e Wn %s
anatci 4 sicKening oior. 80 vegetation grew
hole with its horrible stencil How came these
bones here? How came they to be arranged
Ht the central hsss Ss Ses
s.emSd to hang over The he, SPOT 1t w was
tie centre Of the covered area. A
Ssnt VI On a n ssn that y WIFE
ing from the pit visible vapor. u co umn Of
visible fog or smoke or gas that was luminous.
Near the ground 1t had the appearance of a
phosrhorescent flame. and gradually 6ocamcr
have to, picture the unearthiy phenomenon:
the SPOT. and we did not ioiter BY the ,wavsiie:
blood. curhltng manifestations. was inclined
to break camp and leave. But by morning my
to the scene OF the evening adventure. ! could
find no clue to the mystery. and the matter
gradually went out of mind as l prosecuted
But had occa4 ion, after a time. to visit a
spot near whore I had seen the canon about
evening made known my intention to Pill to
resYyp O the s pIfS and to explore the gorge
Without word tho old native arose from
his mat on the 4, -four and denarted;, He was
Ing on his shoulders bundle. When we
reached the canon he stopped and unpncked
his load. saw a store idol curious in shape;
small pig from his bundle. Making fire. he
sprinkled som ething i'll the flames. muttered
placed before the idol After he completed
n ns s zones bad fss but IT, sad tt
could to preserve my life. lilo would wait un;
III the going down OF the sun. and then. II |
battle Then he sat down. covered up his
All this made me fecl ua,comfortahle The
natives OF the Hawaiian Islands are supposed
to be Christianized. but in I, me Of danger or
Of their fathe H's'n q Knew Xii Believed ;at
mo Thss Il. g sss Of s1S! Af0s
Iatins, in the wind, The ohhiea looked Ike a
peculiar motion OF the same arrested my At
tention. ! was over 300 feet away from the
view. a wall of fern-covered lava about 10
feet high ttcppsd my course up
object such as the eyes of civiliza Il man never
about IL feet high: the edge OF each piece
lined with fine strcamers which rh Hated In all
directions and trembled like fine wire spirals
the whole object moving like the tringes OF a
sea anemone.
was wearing heavy felt hat with wide
brim. and push he'd ii back from nv forehead
to get a better view. AS l moved m arm the
strange object ceased qulverinl:. and every
vibrating antenna or streamer ront'.d direct
ly at me. Just then my foot Slipped from q
juttng rock on which | was standing and
fell. but not before something cleaved the air
with a horrible kissing noise and struck on
my hat crown. felt the force OF blow AS
fell. and knew no more for IA time. roa.ai ned
consciousness after a short time and lay in u
partial stupor. Tho wall hove me was stripped
OF its vsrdure and saw u long. sinewy. shake
like object writhing. twisting. and cur ing on
the rocks. 1t had missed its prey, and a. low,
angry hum filled the air.