The Republican journal., 1916-04-06
"Reminiscences OF
Western Travels.
Among the Geysers.
BY HELEN M. TODD.

Among the SeySeIS.
AS we were to remain in camp all day,
the ''pack rats" did not arrive to build
the fires until quarter past seven next
morning, and we lazy "dudes" were in
dulged with an eight o'clock breakfast.
The wash water, hot from the kitchen
tent, had an unpleasantly sulphuric
smell, which seemed almost nauseating
until we realized that it as geyser wa
ter in its original state, piped directly
to the kitchen from Punch Bowl Spring
on the hill above. Then it Immediately
lost it's nauseating character and became
something of a curiosity. By the way,
our guides about the formation unani-
mously declared its composition to be
solely lime and silicate, with not so
much as a trace of sulphur, apparent
testimony of noses and eyes to the con-
trary notwithstanding. l presume that
the guides know whereof they spoke,
but | must confess that we were more
or less "from Missouri"
After breakfast, call ready for the
formation!" was the cry, and our party
assembled IN front of the Office tent to
await the pleasure of the guides, for our
mornings program included a personally
conducted tour about the geyser basin.
Here was our chance to absorb knoWl-
edge of the guide, whom we strongly
suspected of very recent study of one or
more of the numerous guidebooks of the
region. However, he had learned his
lesson well, and we had no cause for
complaint as to his store of information.
From one end of the basin to the other
we trailed after him, learning the char
acteristics of each geyser in turn.
1t behooved one to be careful IN maxi
ing this formation tour" for pitfalls
vawned for the feet of the unwary, and
oft-times one would find oneself on the
very edge of boiling spring that looked
ANYTHING but desirable for bathtub.
Those of US who wore glasses found it
necessary to be especially careful, for
the clouds of rising steam obscured our
vision. and our guide related at least
one tragic incident due to that very
cause.
The intense blue OF some of these
boiling springs was due to the depth OF
the water, and it shaded from deepest
indigo in the apparently bottomless pit
in the center, through all the lntermedl-
ate tints to rale grayish blue at the
edge, where hot water algae made
reddish brown and yellow border that
was very effective. Many of the small
Ter geysers were playing, and the steam
ing hot pools were so abundant that we
were more than ever convinced that we
had reached the abode of the Evil One,
especially when we were shown 1.-The
DEVILS Ear and various other parts
of his anatomy, to say nothing Of sundry
of his possessions. We all felt that II
would be we'll to behave with circum-
spection and say very little until out OF
range OF that awful Ear" at least.
Eleven O'Clock found US groupec
around Old Faithful, watches in hand
waiting to verify it's far-famed punctual
ity. Promptly to the moment the first
symptoms of disturbance manifested
themselves, and IN exactly 72 minutes
from its last eruption Old Faithful was
iustifying its name. Forewarned that
pictures of the geysers must be taker
exactly opposite an ordinary photograph
that is, into the light, with the geysel
between the camera ard the sun, the
shutters of the various cameras clicked
busilv. and most of Us carried away
most satisfactory records Of Old Faith
ful's performance.
The stages from camp were waiting
for US, and after the last Jet of steam
had died away we started for shor'
drive TO Black Sand Basin. There was
no two-horse rig for US, "BlIl' having
passed US on to one of the other drivers,
who had two extra seats, and thus spared
himself the necessity of Harvesting uE
that cay. we therefore iliadC VIC iiiei II
ing drive in state, perched high and dry
on the drivers box of four-horse coach
Once fat woodchuck crossed the roac
in front of US. and to the chorus OF
"dudes' behind: "Oh, driver, what
kind of an animal is that?"our skinner
solemnlv answered, That's beaver y
His statement was accepted without
question by most of the passengers, ano
to nv involuntary gasp of establishment
and Wills Hump! Looks like WOOD
chuck to mel the driver said half under
his breath, lest he be overhead by those
in the rear, Don't give it away-they' l.
be happier if they think they've seen
HEAVIER. and it went hurt 'em any" Sc
we kept quiet and listened with some
amusement to the delightful chorus that
chad always wanted to see rea
beaver"
Our drive took US within easy walking
distance of some of the hot springs just
lv famous for their extreme beauty, not
ably Emerald Pool and Sunset Lake.
The latter, as its name indicates, bears
Ill cha oolors IF the rainbow mirrored lI