The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-11-30
WApINc LAVA ON sIlLrs.
a Thrilling Story From Hawaii by Way
of the Old Country.

ThrlIiinR story FROM haWhh Dy way
of the Old Country.
A. II. Watson has just had one OF
the most thrilling experiences that
ever befell mountaineer. He as
cended the Mauna Loa volcano, in the
Hawaiian Islands, while it was in a
state of furious eruption. The party
numbered FIVE, with guides, pack
mules and weeks supply of provi-
sions. BY evening of the first day
about third of the hazardous climb
had been achieved and the men
camped in a grove of palms and forms.
At noon on the succeeding day all
the members of the party, with the
exception of Mr.. Watson, concluded
to examine the north cone of tho
crater, while Mr.. Watson, filed with
the idea that the southern cone was
tho most interesting, separated from
his companions and guides and moved
in that direction. After weary and
dangerous climb he arrived at pro.
montory of rock and earth. Close up
on tho far side of this point great
river of lava was bounding in a
straight line down the mountain,
while about 500 feet above, on the
slope of the hill, the crater, like the
mouth OF some internal monster, was
pouring forth melted stone.
Mr.. Watson sat for considerable
time, probably couple of hours, gaz-
ing upon the vast estuary of rolling,
flowing, bursting fire rushing down
-. Il. .f
sand or moro feet below this stream
entered thicket of trees which, Mr.
Watson observed through his glasses,
seemed to have wonderful power OF
resisting the attack of the flames.
Toward night he arose from his
| seat below the rocks to 60 over the
summit, down the hill and walk out
between the lava on the side which he
was to cross. He thought that his
eyes had been resting too long on run.
ming lava and that he could see such q
stream in whichever quarter he might
look; so he went forward
Bnt ne had not been mistaken.
While he had been sitting with his
| back to the direction from which he
had come and in which he must go,
with his eyes on the flowing stream,
enchanted with its marvels, there had
broken from the lower edge of the
crater, and some feet to the north OF
the one he was Watching, second
flow. He started on down and had
proceeded several hundred feet, when,
to his horror and amazement, he dis
covered that the new stream of lava
ran directly into the earlier stream
The streams joined, and his retreat
had been cut off. He was hemmed in
by running rivers of fire.
As he meditated on the best means
of escape, his eye fell upon the singu.
lar forest at the bottom of the incline,
and he thought of the heat defying
properties of that wood. II he could
only turn the bunch which grew above
him into service. Ali he had it
stills! He had been an expert OIL
stills when boy, aud felt certain his
skill had not forsaken him. Drawing
n stout-bladed knife from his pocket,
he began hewing at the base of one o
the smallest trees. The wood was o
the species known as iron wood
When the blade grew dull he whettet
it on the rocks. All through the
night he worked, while the terrible
furnace belched above.
BY daylight he had the stills made
and, mounting them, started off to thu
edge of the flow. The wood smould
cred, but did not blaze, rs he wadet
through the lava. The heat wal
frightful, blistering his face ant
hands. AS he arrived at the opposite
edge of the river of fire one charret
stilt broke off, but eager hand,
.grasped him and lifted the swoonine
man onto one of the mules, in whicl
manner he was taken to rancher'i
house. Mr.. Watson is at present re
ceiving medical attention, but is max
ing rapid progress - London Daily
Mail.