The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-08-12
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

pings could also be distinguished when
the ear was laid upon the earth
Ihen, as unexpectedly as before, a
wave of motion struck the house. The
Wlry wooden structure leapt and sway
ed, grooming as If in agony. then set
tied back again upon its stout foun-
dations, while the inmates picked
themselves up in the darkness-for the
lanterns had been upset and extin-
gulshed-and comforted each other
while they searched for matches to re-
light the lamps. Out in the fields the
horses snorted in terror and the cows
beloved wildly to their straying
calves.
Suddenly a great flare of light shot
up from a spot on the mountain side,
drawing all eyes towards it. and a
strange, unearthIy sound-a sound, per-
haps, that a thousand immense coffee
mills all grinding together might pos
sibly make-fell upon their startled
ears.
IT'S PeIe,' quavered old Liza, from
her doorway.
Yes" spoke up the Mortified Captain
Brown. she is right; it's the lava,
and it. will come right down this wayi
We must get out of thisi'
Rising to his feet he called loudly to
the cattle boys, who We're housed near
by. They came running, for they also
had seen that fiery torch flung out on
the black hillside.
Snatching the younger children from
their warm beds, the agitated parents
hastily wrapped them in blankets and
handed them to the natives, bidding
the latter to run for a high stretch of
land that seemed to promise safety.
Taking the eight-months-old baby in
his own tender arms, the father mar
shalled the rest of the family out into
the night.
Again that strange, terrifying sound
smOte upon their ears, and a vivid light
lit the landscape for miles around.
Great tongues of flame shot up to the
black cloud-canopy aloft, and with
straining eyes the watchers saw that
fiery streams, of lava were already
making their way down the mountain
from great split in it's side
Some dire internal force seemed to
be vomiting forth a lurid molten tide,
but there were no more earthquakes.
The laboring mountain had at last
found relief.
"Oh, come quick!' cried the agonized
mother. I'VE must hurry to the hill.
me take baby"
mo, no; l have her safe and warm,
replied her husband; ''but where is
Kate? kate!' he called, anxiously, as
he stumbled along in the rear.
Here I am, father!" answered the
girl; s'but oh! what shall I do? Lila
will not come with me, and neither
will the old man. I ran to help them.
but they wont stir. Oh, do go and
make them come with U.S."
For moment Captain Brown, re-
sponsfble for so many lives, hesitated.
He glanced back at the hut and then
up at the flow. Telling the others to
hurry on, he turned and ran to where
the old woman crouched in her door
way. Kate, at his heels, gave an ap-
look towards the lighted
mountain.
Come, come, silly woman!" he
shouted; "why don't you get up ana
run? Look, Pele is almost upon you'll
With his free hand he tried to drag
the old crone to her feet. Get UP and |
run, old man. he added, sternly, to
her husband There is much danger
herei''
mo. no." The ancient Hawaiian
shook his snow-white head. mo, L
am too lame to run; and if Pele wants
rs she can follow. 1t is of no use to
try to escape. And she wants US! See,
she is coming to get us!'
He pointed towards the onrushing
Hood of molten fire with a lean, trem-
bling finger, but his face showed little
concern.
But YOU" he added, 'you must go!
Hasten, for you have with You the
babe and the young child-woman. They
must be saved. Go, for soon it will be
90 late!" And he settled back upon
lis couch, his eyes fixed in awe upon
he lurid stream that every instant
swept nearer.
Just at that moment the voices of
he distracted mother and sisters could
,e heard calling from the distance.
oh sobbed Kate, this is too aw-
I'll! You must comet" And she
stamped her foot at the stoical old
ouple.
1--WE can't waste any more time over
hem, Kate" said her father. 1--WE
must go. 1 have the baby, you know!'' |
With a shout to his now frantic wife
e sped away, hurting back a command
o the girl to follow.
Lila, Liai oh, do come! I can't go
nd leave you! cried Kate, Wr1nSlilS
er hands in agony.
No. will not leave the old man. He
too feeble to run. and if Pele wants
IS it will be foolish to try to escape.
the aged, wrinkled face clear
d; the old eyes sought the sweet /
eavens, star-studded. that arched /
bove the horrid glare of the volcano {
-'but perhaps the great Akua (GoO f
ill protect US from Pele's wrath. Coz S
he commanded, pushing the girl from s
ne threshold, ''go to your people: they t
re calling. The old man and [ will
emain. and together we will pray to S
kua, who dwells in the wide skies,
, save us from "Pele!" With that e
he closed and barred the door. d
1t was useless to tarry longer, and
ate turned and ran, answering the S
lies of her sisters. Across the level [
ley fed, while nearer and nearer came
lie awful river of fire, spreading over {
lie slope. Soon they were all to- L
ether. running for their lives-the tall '
alive men with the frightened little L