Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-02

belief exists that whenever the volcano is
active something has been done to cause
feie to become angry, and thus by sac-1-
noes Is her anger supposed to be appeaSed.
Soon We were alongside the lake of
molten lava. There before us lay a mass
about 600 feet in diameter. The sides We're
raised up. possibly three feet. looking like
q circus ring.
You who rave seen iron from a blast
furnace can form some idea of the molten
lava. From time TO time the surface OF
crust. Presently cracks would break In all
directions across the crust; then the huge
cakes of cool lava would turn on end and
disappear in the bubbling. mass. to be
melted over again. Sometimes a blister
will form on the cooled surface. which, on
breaking, will send a fountain of lava some
twenty feet in the air.
The aspect of the lake is continually
changing; Sometimes it is comparatively
quiet and &C e1o!ed over a Greater part; while lille
numerous fountains playing In the air. You
are fairly fascinated with the inspiring
the natives believed in Pele, the goddess OF
we remained until after nightfall and il
all its fiery glory. The cones are pouring
out their sulphur smoke; the, lake. with its
lurid fountains Of lava: and you sit and
ponder on the works of God. The old teach.
fngs of hellfire come back TO your mind,
and you think you are quite near the real
"one of our party remarked what a
good joke it would be to carry a drunken
man to our. point of vantage. dress as
as he would be by. fire. lava. etc. with
devils dancing the dance of the imps. l
rather think he would pass the remainder
inadequate to picture this grand and mag
niticent spectacle. and only a visit can
make you appreciate this wonder of ma
ture.
AT last it was time to leave. so we light
ed our lanterns and followed our guide
across the lava to the foot Of the steep
hill, and began the ascent. The ride on
horseback was quite bad enough. but the
climb up that hill will always linger in my
W%e We we're a ao t fSuai ont to tb Climbing ! nest 1he often
monument erected to an English gentle
visit to the crater, dropped dead of heart
disease. He saw all the sights and did
not have to climb that hill.
AT last We saw the welcome lights of the
Volcano house, and soon We're discussing
the wonderful sights We had witnessed,
while enjoying a well earned dinner. Next
morning. early we We're on our way to
Hilo, where We arrived after another
tedious ride. and soon were on shipboard,
ships.
g" am now Informed that a good road
has been built from Hilo to the volcano and
you can now drive. My only regret is that
not built that road for my use.
After a brief stay at Hilo we returned
W f1oLoiulu ana look up our Olu ancnOT.
age: l remained there until ordered home
in 1888. When the steamer was to sail for
Frisco the royal band would assemble just
before sailing time and give a concert. 1t
was quite an event in those days. as SAIL
ing day was only once a week. All the
friends of the passengers would assemble
on the pier to bid farewell and it was then
that was witnessed one of the most beauti-
ful customs that l have ever seen. Flowers
grow profusely in the Islands and the ma
tves weave them into long garlands and
wreaths, for sale to friends of departing
passengers. Your friends fairly load you
down with garlands of roses and flowers
until you look like a veritable rose bush.
The band plays Aloha the native fare
we'll. the steamer slowly draws away from
the pier. handkerchiefs %flutter. and you
are leaving an earthly paradise. a pecIl-
lar fullness comes into your throat. you
feel as If your heart is out of it's accus-
toned place. and although you are on your
way home at last, after possibly years of
absence. you experience a regret on leav-
ing such an ideal existence. AT least that
was my feeling on leaving the dear old
Vandalia, which had safely carried me
thousands of miles in storm and calm. only
to shortly afterwards end her career IN
that terrible storm at Samoa and in leav-
ing the Hawaiian islands. truly the para
disc of the Pacific"