Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-03-15

eat.
To describe the assembling Of that
host of ninety-seven persons for the
tramp TO the pit would require a
book and then It would not all be
told. Fifteen thousand questions
We're asked in fifteen minutes. De-
, mosthenes answered them all and in
such n way that each felt that his
idea of how 1T should be done was
the right one, and If it were not
cutie right 1t would all be fixed in a
short time to his satisfaction.
Some of the party were prepared
and as many more were not. The
next time a big crowd goes To the
Volcano in such numbers as To over
whelm things someone should give
the newcomers a few pointers on
what to wear. Happily. most all of
the Los Angelens had raincoats. But
thin shoes are not the best things
with which to tramp over lava
trail, especially when It is raining.
There were twenty lanterns for
enc hundred people. And the way
that crowd punched was a wonder.
How order was ever worked out of
the chaos Of the start was another
wonder. Some OF the guests of the
hotel went along to assist the guides
for, according to all appearances
there was mighty good chance of
some one falling In and breaking the
record Of no accidents for the Vol
cano trip.
The crowd represented wealth and
beauty, old age and extreme youth
IL was surprising that some of the
old people dared attempt the seven
mile tramp. but they did It and at
last accounts no damage was done
beyond the loss of a few tcmpcrs ov-
or the declared fact that the trail to
the pit is ten miles long instead of
three and a half.
About two hours had passed hc-
fore the last to leave the Volcano
House had arrived at the pit. All
warnings to have care for crackH
and the edge of the pit had mighty
| little effect. The night was dark
ana although the pit Is active the
glow was sufficient to light the place
only at intervals. Meanwhile they
BOXED around In the dark. and gave
those who knew the place nervous
prostration, by jostling each other
on the very verge of the pit.
Finally they were distributed
along the edge of the pit and quiet
cd. The pit acted up in very good
shape, Notwithstanding some com
planned that what they saw was not
the came as appeared In the publish
ed pictures of the world wonder.
Dcmosthenes was bombarded with
questions as to when the pit would
boil again and the area with hot
cracks showing through become II
mass of seething lava. When the fam
Gus Greek did not estimate It to n min
ute, u few thought he was short on
knowledge. Then someone began TO
talk of going home. Demosthencs
resorted to oratory. He mounted "A
lava cake by the edge of the pit and
Cxhorted the backsliders. Ladies
and gentlemen" he said, you have
come here to see the Volcano and |
want you to see It. II YOU leave now
you will not he satisfied. What's the
use of coming all this distance with
out seeing anything"
They saw the force OF It and stay
cd. They were well repaid.
The curious lava formed every i'm
tginable figure, broke up. boiled ov-
or, cooled on, and then broke again.
Not TIL well toward morning did
the last of them return to the Vol
cano House. More than one took
about three hours to make the trip
back. But they were satisfied despite
their tired and bcdraggled appear
ancc.
"Thc sight Of lifetime, :"
Wouldn't have missed II for twice
the trouble, and II could do better
with kerosene oil and II sky rocket, -
covered the opinions. with favorable
comment much In the majority.
The majority of this party break
tasted at o'clock and took the stage
at $50, TO return to IIilo. That was
strenuous action, and II Is not sur
prising II some lost their temper uE-
I'll they reached Ililo and had time
10 think II over.
The blessed sunshine came out ear
ly. Snow-capped Mauna Lon and
Mauna Kea were In full view. The
air was cool and snappy, and the
ride back to the railroad station gave
the visitors all that could be asked
for beauty of scenery.