Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-05-28
TALES OF THE TINES.


Adyiccs by the Australian steamship
Miowcra give news that nm adventurous
young EDllishman named Carr, who 10 is
quite possible may bo Lieutenant Seton
khrr, the most adventurous mountain
climber and pioneer Of the British Geo
graphical society, narrowly ESCAPED de-
etructiOn la IA whirlwind of steam, cindcrs
and stones preceding the dcluQc Of lava
emitted by old auapcbu, New Icaland's
famous volcano, late In March. EruptiOBs
still continue Internationally, and the sky
for hundreds Of miles has been fiery red
for weeks. Carr IN now at Auckland hos
pital, recovering from injuries received In
his strange adventure.
He bGd started, with two guides and
provisions, for ten days exploration Of the
hve peaks forming the crest Of Kuapehu
and fencing Its famous crater lake He
got half way up the mountain side when
his progress WAS greatly retarded by n fresh
fall OF snow, most unusual thing at this
season. The guides expressed themselves
as unable 10 understand the phenomenon,
and IL was decided TO camp on the noun
tain and await developments. The party
had not long 20 wait. From 20 degrees the
mercury rose within four hours TO rs, the
snow disappeared, and earthquakes added
tii'iI lI lIit llCitFJ DI inc
tains 10 swell the mysterious feature Of
the night The guides hourly became
more uneasy and cntrcatcd Carr 10 break
camp and descend before the eruption,
which they anticipated would overwhclm
them.
"You think the mountain will give fire
works for our benefit, do your was Carr's
comment "This is glorious; we will not
disappoint old Ruapchu Of his audience"
But the guides were not so enthusiastic
and finally announced that they were go
ing, whether he would or not.
"Very good, " was Carr's reply. II will
stay"
Then he paid them their wages for the
portion Of the trip only that they had nc
tually performed. They hastily rctraced
their steps, and the very next day showers
OF mud which invariably precede active
eruptions, commenced. The guides de-
cided that their late employer must be
| overwhelmed, and great was their surprise
two days later to be rejoined by him at the
base OF the mountain. He was scalded
from head 10 foot, his left arm was broken,
and there were bruises and cuts on every
| part Of his body where he had been struck
| by stones which rained from the mountain
| top.
| Hardly had the party reconnected when
the eruption proper commenced, and foI
days the sight was magnificent though
awful one. Ruapehu first sent IA great col
umn Of steam like a giant geyser many
thousand feet in the air. Then there wa.
pause. The steam ceased and was re
placed by smoke and ashes which contjn
ued to belcb forth for many hours. Rua
pehu Is 5000 odd feet high and one of In,
most rugged and picturesque mountains
in the southern sea. Crowned by feathery
columns Of smoke and ashes, through
which at times midnight rainbows played
its aspect from sea during an eruption wa
at once terrifying, magnificent and indie
scribably beautiful.
Since the eruption Carr assembled on tn
west side, which had hardly been affecte
at AL, owing to continued wind from tina
quarter, and 1t has been found that the ia
nous crater lake has entirely disappeared
having been literally blown out and re
placed by bubbling field Of lava, the dept
of which cannot be estimated. The grea
mountain is now clear of snow for the frs
time since the memorable eruption OF $50
when Tarawera, too showed a grand py
rotechnic display. The latter mountain
also promises TO repeat its performance ol
the present occasion.-St. Louis Globe
| Democrat.