Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-01-20

both sides very little air could reach
US and it was hot as an oven. When
about three miles had been covered
We had ascended high enough to come
to the edge of the cocoanut belt,
where q halt was made and a supply
of green nuts Sc ,ured for use that
night end the next Gay
Climbing For cocoanuts.
The manner of obtaining these nuts
is interesting. Forst the ankles are
! securely fastened with bark so they
can spread only about six inches
apart, and their lava-lava is tucked
up like a .dide'' on a baby. Then they
place their hands, with arms nearly
extended, on either side of tie trunk
of the tree. leap up and place the
bottom of their feet on the trunk S
near the hands as possible. Then one
hand is raised as high as possible
and rlaced nearly on the opposite
side, swasi2g the upper part of the
bod. at the same time in that direc-
ton, when the legs are Strengthened.
thus raising the whole body up. Then
the other hand is extended, the body
swayed to that side, the legs straight
ened out, and another upward move
ment of feet is made. The process
looks easy but l venture to say no
European could initiate it. The green
nuts are then quickly removed from
their husks by striking and tearing
| against sharp stake planted in the
ground. They do it very quickly buk
was told novice did we'll if he ac-
complished the feat in Is minutes, TO
open one, the top of the nut is
cracked, while nei5 upright "a the
palm of the left hand, by being struck
three or fom times With tee back of
their huge knives and the circular
piece about two inches in diameter
thus cracked, Is pried out with the
! point of the knife. Each good sized
nut contains enough for a good drink
and the water from the green cocoa
nut is very palatable and refreshing
especially if one is hot and thirsty.
The meat of the green nut Is not
hard like 1t is in ripe one, and is
good eating and agreed with me very
well.
Volcanic Glare and Gas.
hocCming our journey h. rundown
we had reached an abandoned house
about one and one-half miles in an
air line from the crater, where we
camped This place is owned by man
who. after spending $4,000 on the plan
tation. lost it all from a fall of ashes
| he ii s.JI
vegetation, After tea we enjoyed the
grand spectacle afforded by our near
| position to the crater, but also occas-
/ ionally a breath or two of noxious
| fumes which were waited down our
way. Between us and the lava beds
and below us, the timber was quite
! thick and heavy, but all killed long
since by the gases and hot fumes.
This night it was on fire and was an
| interesting sight. Because OF the pecu.
liar nature of the wood it did not blaze
but the strong trade wind made it
glow like charcoal. Every once in
while a large limb or a whole tree
would fall, causing millions of sparks
to arise and he blown far and near.
Several times during the night heard
trees fall with a resounding crash.
The next morning we we're up at day
| light and after a hasty breakfast,
started. leaving one of the natives
with the things we did not want till
we should return. For about a mile
from the house it was difficult and te-
dious travelling. The guide had to do
| lots of cutting with his long, heavy
knife they use entirely in place Of an
AK, to enable us to get through the
| tangle of dead creepers in every direc-
! ton. After perhaps an hour of hard
scrambling and climbing. we arrived
at the outer edge of the lava fields,
along which we skirted till we were
southwest of the cone: then made di-
rectly across it. Arriving close to the
base of the cone we circled round it
till we were on the southside.
On the Cone.
The cone proper Is from 100 to 200
feet high, with very steep sides Gov
cred with fine volcanic ashes, more
like fine coke. The climbing was diff
cult owing to its loose nature But by
taking a diagonal course we were en-
abled TO arrive at the top in time, on
the east side where the strong, east
ern trade wind blew the fumes away
from us. The sight inside the crater
was awful and awe-inspiring. About
$50 feet below was seething, boiling
mass of red-hot lava, rs near as !
could estimate. 200 feet wide by 300
feet long of oval shape The heat was
so great | had to hold my hand in
front of my face 10 partially protect IT,
Occasionally at places the surface
would be unusually agitated and then
ma gses OF black chunks up to the size
of bushel basket would be elected
upwards for 10 to 20 feet, falling back
with great splashes into the frey
mass. The opening for the escape of
this great flow was just below its sur
face on the north side of the rim. to-
wards which point strong current
set all the time. 1t must have been
grand indeed. at an earlier period.
when rocks and boulders were hurled
hundreds of feet into the air, some OF
which we passed in crossing the lava
beds where they fell, as large in di-
ameter as cart wheels. The area Gov
I.