The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-31

our water gave out. and the majority Of
the parry became dissusted ard e.
turned to camp,
However. Mr.. Davey. myself AMI
one other Of the party decided to push
on. believing that the point to be reach
ed was not so distant but that we could
endure thirst until we could return to
camp. None q Us viii ever make 50
hazardous an attempt again.
stumbling over Jagged rocks AMI
into cracks. tearing our clothes and
leaving little patches Of skin behind as
as we extricated ourselves from the
rocks, we puahed on and on. but the
smoke seemed NO nearer.
eat last we came upon a large cone,
newly made. which proved TO have been
the source Of the eruption, but It was
entirely dead. Proceeding about a mile
we found cone No. 2. which was also
Inactive, and so on, until we had In
spected four Of these inactive cones.
'-The now had descended the slope of
the mountain by a series Of cone action.
The lava had broken out from q assure
in the side Of the cones and. after flow
ing 1000 feet or so. had buried Itself and
come up again in another core formA-
ton.
"cone number 1--WE was emitting
smoke in a desultory way, as II about to
give up the ghost, while cone number
SIX, mile or two farther down, show
ed little more action.
1.-THE scene OF great action was not
reached until we came to the eighth
and last cone. although cone number
seven was sim a hot member. The rem
nant of the party that pushed to the
front was brought to a standstill within
1000 feet Of cone number eight.
1.-THE cone. 30 called, as near as could
be estimated by the professors instru-
ments, was 200 feet high, and the crater
ON top was fully 600 feet in diameter.
1t was, In fact, veritable volcano.
spoutlng molten. red hot lava as high
as 100 feet or more above the crater.
This lava fell back, building UP the sides
OF the cone very rapidly.
'At irregular intervals, with great
roar and a boom, large bouiders that
must have weighed over a ton shot into
the air, away above the glare of the
lava, as near as could be estimated
about 400 feet, or nearly twice as high
above the rim Of the cone as the cone
was above the base. 1t was the grand
est exhibition Of power that ever saw.
From a great flssure in the lower
side of the cone or crater the lava was
flowing forth with great velocity, YER
liable waterfall Of fire, and stretching
out below for miles. on the side Of the
mountain in the direction Of Aauna
Kea, whose lofty crest penetrated the
clouds, the lava flow lay like a fiery
snake that grew broader and broader
as It flowed. How indnitesimal we felt
In the presence OF such grandeur and
power of nature! We forgot all about
being thirsty.
'Mr. Davey took his pictures In the
afternoon, and we were enticed to stay
until evening to get more comprehsn-
sIve view Of the great display.
what an illumination! The steam
and smoke were Illuminated until the
heavens were as bright as day. The
long, snake-like flow below became
more intense in its glow. The crater
itself seemed to reniize that 1t could
make a better showing at night, and
the fountains of fire were more active.
while the great boulders were thrown
in the air at more frequent intervals.
1t was revel Of FIRE, the very incarna-
ton Of the Hawaiian idea Of the God
dess Pele.
"Impelled as we were to remain. our
growing thirst and WEAKNESS drove rs
again In the direction Of the camp.
The fun moon was not necessary 10
light US on our way. For miles the re-
gion was Illuminated as II In full day
light. But our troubles were not at an
end.
while we were witnessing the spec
tacular display OF pyrOtechnics the
wind had changed, and as the crater on
the side nearest US was pouring forth
sulphur and gaceous smoke, we found
ourselves cut OF by the deadly fumes.
1--WE could not go around the cone be-
cause It would be impossible to cross
the lowing lava. None Of US knew that
30 ,,,ore within n mile or two OF the