The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-07-02

sonable amount of room, but whicl
often carries six Japanese, for you 81
ON the floor. A ride in basAa j
unique, exceedingly so. To be ap
preciated 1t must be felt The move
ment Is miraculous especially Verti
cally As my companion disiointedl,
remarked. I'VE ought to have
b-brought cream instead of b-b-but
ter in our lunch"
The mountain road follows the riv,
err canyon, the only approach from
the west. AS the ascent Is made
the scenery becomes more grand. The
mountains tower higher, the canyon
yawns deeper, and the river far be-
low is hidden by the precipice at The
roadside. At length sharp curve
is made and the climax is reached.
Below you a little village nestles in
the fork of the canyon where two
roaring river meet. 1t seems 10 cling
to the great lava rocks almost over
the rushing streams There is a
stone arch bridge, and beyond, the
road makes four laps in climbing out
OF the canyon. All about are suffi-
cient evidences of volcanic action,
soil, lava boulders, and cliff walls Of
obsidian columns. In fact the gorge
Is formed by the river cutting It's way
through the great rim of the ancient
crater. Opposite the village cas-
cade pouring over the brink OF the
canyon tumbles over rocky masses
for nearly thousand feet.
1t may have been what the Ger
mans call "Wunderlust'' or 1t may
have been a feeling inherited from
the Rockies OF the homeland, but
certain it was, that the travellers for
got all the cares Of the past days and
took on new life with every breath.
After brief rest at the neat Jap
anese inn, where fortunately the mis-
tress could speak English, visit was
made to the main waterfall which,
though not SO high as the cascade,
has a far greater volume, the whole
river leaping more than one hundred
and fifty feet into great circular
pool worn in the solid rock. BY an
easy descent the outlet of the pool is
reached. The canyon walls, the clear
sky, and all makes a noble setting
for the cataract with its rainbow
spray.
And later, the evening scene from
the bridge. No breath of wind, cry
stall stars. beautiful moonlight, music
of thousand voices,
Joys often come quite unexpected
ly. Just at dusk who should come to
the village but one of our best friends
from Kobe, with two other Ameri-
cans. You may be sure it did not |
take long to become acquainted all |
around. And all would climb the |
mountain in the morning. The even
ng passed very pleasantly: and not
without reminiscence from one of |
he older men, and about climb up
Aso San too.
Some years ago one OF our mis-
'ionaries and his wife made the trip.
Mr. A. walked but his wife rode in
jinrikisha. AS it was in the early
pring. when part way up, they came
o snow which had recently fallen.
Irs. A. was not small woman, and
n short time the rikisha man gave
tut. After some delay they were
'vertaken by laborer who, with
mall wagon drawn by a COW, was
,oing up for lumber, and who was
PREVAILED upon to assist. So the rik
sha man fastened his carriage to the
ear OF the wagon still keeping his
lace between the shafts. Mr.. A. led
he COW, and the COW man pushed be-
ind the jinrikisha! (Excelsior!)
AS the evening passed we found
hat our hosts were both Christians, +.
ne only ones in the village. They
old us it was the first time five
christians had ever been there to-
ether. That night in one of the
uiet upper rooms there was little
fayer meeting. Only the seven were :
resent but to the two it meant much.
IN, reader, you who have never had
ny obstacles worth mentioning in
our life remember in your carefree
oments these two and the little Sun
ay school they are so faithfully con-
ucting even in the midst of perse-
ution.
Soon after daylight the start was
lade. The two older men having
ecided to ride for part of the way
ne Others left with the guide. A
uide is not needed because of dam
er, for the climb is very easy, but
ecause there are so many paths /
mong the rice fields which cover
Il the lower parts of the mountain
bove the canyon, and numerous 9TH
: trails leading to the grassy tracts
Ill higher. One notes the absence
timber for Aso San is practically
are. For some miles there are long
enches of foot hills which it must :
? remembered are within the an
ent crater. Then the foot of the 4
ew mountain SO to speak is reached.
ere is the Honorable Hot Water
illage, containing large hotspring
hich is piped into several tanks
here men and women bath promis-
lously without let or hinderance."
he Japanese people are marvellous
fond of hot baths consequently
rery resort is crowded the whole !
ason and often the whole year. But }
reigners fear contagion, for disease Z
prevalent, and they also have some y
ruples as to bathing suits. The
,tspring is so vigorous it merits be-
g called geyser Nearby is
mature peak having a burnt APP =
'arance and steaming and kissing in Z
most threatening manner. :
ga WING thu pnorrv haitian. tya ha <