The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-03-11


sulphurous steam constantly hisstd.
At last we gained the side OF the lake.
Tue crater was inactive, and had been so
for year [since Dir. Musick's visit, this
volcano bad been in eruption. Accord
| ing to the newspaper reports, the flow oil
lava began on January 81, but far down
into its hollow depths the faint glow OF
fires or heated stones could be seen while
the rumbling of subterranean ihunders
reached our ears. The fires were a thou
sand feet below us and almost hidden by
dense clouds of sulphurous smoke. From
the assures Of stone on the side, the
quivering air bore evidences of heat
There the guide lighted his pipe by the
fire Of the volcano, and l thrust my
walking staff few inches into the ap
perture Tho the stick was of green
wood, in a few moments 1t was ablaze
the heat was so intense that one could
not remain long at this place.
Going around 10 the north side we
found great flow holes, where the lava
was piled up 10 q thousand fantastical
shapes One Of these cones looked like
an elephant reared on its hind legs, the
| trunk and head being quite well formed.
When active the volcano of Kilauea is
one of the carth's greatest natural won
ders. In the lake or second crater the
lava is continually boiling in furious
manner, throwing up jets and fountains,
sometimes to the height OF seventy five
feet, dashing against the banks IN fiery
waves and throwing up clouds of molten
spray, making one Of the grandest, most
| awe inspiring sights imaginable.
From the lake we went to the great
| sulphur cave. Tho the thermometer
stands at over one hundred In this cave,
we entered it, penetrating our way
through the boiling, Kissing steam. Sta
lactites OF sulphur and alum hang like
golden and silver icices from the dome
of the cavern. II was too hot to remain
long, so we fastened out, mounted our
horses, and returned to the Volcano
House.
Next day, with guide and horses,
set out from the Volcano for the great
Kona district, the land of stone and
coffee Hour after hour we trudged on
over the stony earth, relieved OCCASION
ally by groves of trees, and now and then
evidences of civilization and former oc-
cupancy 10 the form OF an empty beer |
bottle at the roadside.
That night we reached Pahala, which |
is village plantation Of between eight
hundred and a thousand inhabitants.
or these, two at least are white, the
others being japanese, Chinese, and ma
tives; saw but one white man and
one white boy. The great whistle at the
plantation mill blew shortly after our
arrival, aud an army OF Japanese, men
and women, came in from the fields with |
hoes on their shoulders, and went to their |
miserable little huts.
These Japs are all brought to the is |
lands on the contract labor system. They |
are called coolies and are but little better
than slaves. Their importation is bene
fetal only to the large plantations, but
an injury to the islands, as they labor for
twelve dollars per month and board them
selves. 1t Is said that Japanese can
live on one dollar per month, sending the
remainder to Japan.
was informed that | must lodge with
a Chinaman. The thought was unpleas-
ant, but it was either with the Chinaman
or out on the street. A Chinese cook pre-
pared my supper, and / was then shown
to my room which was situated in a COW
lot in close proximity to pig sty. 1t
was small house with two rooms, and
the one on the ''Mo,lkG side" was to
occupy. My room was eight by ten feet,
had square table, wash basin, towel,
kstr1 ona s1ists5sF ~ si'zs0st ~ .
wl.oa w actual measurement was four
by six inches. a hard bottom chair. q
steamer chair with sailors mattress on
the floor and mosquito netting over 1t.
was informed that this gorgeous apart
ment had been rented to another party
who had kindly consented to occupy less
commoGious quarters for my accom-.
mediation.
reading matter in the form Of a copy of
the HatUaiian Gazette one month and
two days old. Dingy, dark, musty with
| opium fumes, the place seemed fit abode
for robbers and cutthroats. The dark
ness and dinginess OF the apartment were
strongly suggestive of pitfalls and assas-
sinaton, while, as il in mockery of the
surroundings, some one had pinned on
the wall the motto "Nearer, my God,
TO Thee" The aroma Of the pig sty was
highly favored with the odors of saddles,
freshly oiled harness, and smoky kero-
sene lamp, which had not been cleaned
and trimmed more than once In its life
| time.
At last / ventured to lie down on the
bed. The apartment next to mine wa.
occupied by Celestials, but for what pur.
pose never knew, the sounds issuing
from 1t being sometimes suggestive of 9
sausage factory, sometimes of laundry
dying works or planning mill. This
adjoining apartment was certainly nc
larger than my OVID, but, after nineteen
Cinnamon Of all ages had entered it,
became tired of counting, and sought
peace In sleep.
AT last the sausage mill ceased, the
laundry grew quiet, the wheels of the
planning mill ran more smooth, add the
mosquitoes, having satisfied their wants
at my expense, slept until rosy morn
l might have slept longer had not COW
poked her head In at my only window
and awakened me by an unesrthly bswl
My landlord provided me a breakfast
from which Washington Square tramp
would turn with contempt, and Their
charged me Delmonico prices for his
Accommodations"
To saddle up and leave Pahala was q
luxury. changed guides here. Taking
native boy named Harry with me,
started on three days. journey through
Kona to place called Kailua.
At noon we reached the village of
Waiohinu (sparkling wateD, where we
met Mr.. Meinecke, German gentleman n,
who has a store and a coffee plantation.
On learning 1t was our intention to stop
at the Kuhuku ranch, the home OF Col
onel Norris, he assured us that II was
very doubtful II that individual would
entertain me, as he was bitterly opposed
to white men. Ten miles beyond his
ranch, however, was deserted house in
which we had better stay, IL Colonel
Norris refused to accommodate US.
We set out for Kuhuku and reached il
at 4 p. Nj. BY this time dark clouds OBJ
scured the skies and chilling winds,
sweeping down from snow-capped Mauna
Loa, portended coming storm. The
ranch is small village of houses and
| harms enclosed In walls of stone. We