The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-08-23

! dried mud which the volcano had sent
forth five years ago.
Near at hand / could see in dozens OF
places steam coming from the ground.
and in many places the mud was hot. al
though I could see no steam. h summit
of the mountain has been so covered with
clouds and steam hat l ave not been
able to see it for several days
Coming up the mountain our servants
lost one Of our grips containing matches,
salt and night clothes. A rescuing party
was at once sent out to look up the missing
property. which was finally located at the
base Of the mountain, where the servants
had abandoned it. being too tired to carry
it further.
Our first meal consisted Of powdered
pea soup. which proved more appetizing
than it sounds. for we were very hungry.
For our evening meal a can OF baked beans
put up by an American concern tasted even
better than the choicest Sunday morning
breakfast ever served at the Hub.
W couldn't have any tea. for We were
short of water. Five miles on a straight
road for water seems a long way to go. put
when more than half the way is practically
perpendicular climbing you can imagine
the difficulty OF getting fresh water. Alco-
hol baths are all we a take while in
camp hero, water being q luxury.
May 2.-Our first night on the mountain
was very comfortable. 1t was cold, TO be
sure. but re didn't suffer. This morning we
saw a great avalanche.
AT the time OF the big eruption great
mounds and hills Of mud and rock thrown
out by the volcano were piled up. These are
now getting dried out and then great
~avalanches occur. One can see great marks
where the rocks a scored out huge ra-
vines. Oh, the desolation OF 1t! Not a living
thing around us. only the rocks, the ashes
or dry mud. the great mountain peaks and
the clouds-everything the same color. the
gray of ordinary ashes.
This morning Mr.. Hovey went out to the
mountain while the servants went for water
and I stayed at the camp alone. 1t was very
weird. had a pistol on the cot beside me.
but l think / was more afraid Of that thar
Of anything. not that I was really afraid of
anything.
As I write now our dinner is cooking
over a fumarole near the tent. The sun
Is behind a mountain peak n back Of us
is the volcano. out Of which are pouring
clouds Of steam, and the sun falling on it
makes a wonderful picture. l am on my
knees in the ashes writing on a packing
box for a desk.
I'VE couldn't make a fire up here IL we
were freezing. for there isn't a stick or blade
Of grass within miles and miles.
THE steam. &c it Is now lighted up by
the sunset. looks the color Of pink roses
and 1t 10 gorgeous. Can you imagine being
30 high, so near the seattle mountain
rises, as 1t were. right out Of the Caribbean
Sea-that you can readily see the earth
10 round? ! never was 80 high with the
sea 80 near at hand before. but It certainly
gives one a curious sensation.
May s.-Mr. Hovey is out on the noun
tain to-day. but l did not 60 as the climb
ing 10 very difficult and there Ia little for
me to see. as he goes to study Inc collect
rocks. l am alone again In the camp. but
arr somewhat used to 1t ow. 30 the pistol
Ia kept on the box instead Of lat hand,
and there ia really nothing to be afraid Of
as no one will climb this far.
1T is a wonderful day and the cone Of
the active part Of Pelee 10 covered with
clouds. so we cannot zee 1t all. The sea
lie glorious. and the sunlight touching the
tops OF the mountains makes them glisten
and look very attractive. although there
ia suoh a lack Of vegetation.
4The director Of the observatory was
20 spend to-day with US, but instead sent
his servant twenty miles TO tell us that he
was detained and TO bring me some writing
paper 90 that ! could write lettera.'