The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-08-10

caused by earthquakes, chasms running
for scores of feet into the crust from
which came hot air and the fumes OF
sulphur. Over one of these chasms a
wooden bridge had been built from the
trunks Of trees.
As walked along the general appear
ance OF the field reminded me OF the
breaking up of the st. Lawrence
river in the Spring when the ice foes
from the lakes jam in mountains high.
Having traversed the lava field for about
two and a half miles we found corral
built OF lava for the purpose of stabling
the horses. In front OF us, perhaps a
quarter of mile distant, the two vol
umes OF vapor rose in ileecy clouds.
The ascent was made up sharp
slope and when within a short distance
of the mouth of the pit, rumbling
noise was heard Immediately followed
by dense, black volume of smoke. the
result of cave.in. Three days pre-
vious to our visit the lake had been on
level with the top of this slope but in a
single day it fell 2i5 feet, measurement
being taken by a rope hung over a cliff
Making detour to the north we
made the last part of our journey.
Looking through a fissure at my feet l
was startled to see fire cave at an
intense white heat not more than "a
foot from the surface. The guide as
the sight was common one and not at
all dangerous. Sticks thrust into the
crevice were Immediately a mass of
| Il ime.
Nearer and nearer we drew to the
elge of the pit until looking down from
our vantage point underneath us was a
lake of molten lava. The sight was
awesome even that of terror which
gradually gave way to a distinct fasciu-
alton. This, at last. was Halemaumau
the place SO oft times written
about aud visited, dating back in activ-
ity for hundreds of years, the mythical
abode of the Hawaiian goddess Pele.
Into those red flames of living fire the
old natives, tradition states, threw the
bodies of their dead chiefs in order that
no living warrior should tread above
their clay.
We arrived at six o'clock and for over
two hours | was fas'inatel with its
ness that no pen can picture it, nor can
the artist transfer it to canvas. 1t is an
immense picture of itself, a masterpiece
an original which none can duplicate.
The area of the lake was estimated &c
be 800 feet long and 400 wide, flowing
from north to south. Half a dozer
fountains were playing in awful sport
iveness near the ceutre-the largest OF
all throwing column of molten lavs
into the air at least thirty and perhaps
fifty feet in height. On reaching i'll
height the mass broke in hundred
great clots. a veritable mass of color
a fiery rose changing to pink
then white, with CLEAN O
blue and yellow-all the colors o
the rainbow. passinl so quickly il
front OF the eye as to bewilder it, ere thu
mass fell back in the great cauldron o
fire. Again it was quiet, but only for {
m 'ment gathering strength to renew it
tempestuous pillows.
Floating over the entire lake was
lava crust in network of fiery lines
ever changing, suggesting the outline
OF a map, the veins OF Il racehorse,
pattern of lace, threadwork of canals
,, innumerable bitches, and THOUSAND
, other fantastic forms. Once in while
white blueish flames would squirt fortl
to height of several feet adding
weirdness to the scene. For over tw
hours stood wa ching this grand sight
growing grander as the shades OF nigh
fell arounu us, changing the white vapo
to Il beautiful rose color as it scared int
the sky tinting the heavens the sam
: bright hue.
The call OF the guide to fall into lin
broke the reverie and we turned to Z
almost with feeling OF sorrow. ] too
a last look into that tempcstuous sea {
fire, ard as long as life hal last an
memory tail not, the glowing picture S
magniticently grand shall be mine.