DOWN THE CRATE& OF A VOLCANO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 50

DOWN THE CRATE& OF A VOLCANO.

We landed at the base of a hill, from whoee summit waved a light crest of mingled smoke and steam. As the others busied theaiselvea about the launch, the mate and I proposed to cHmb to the crater. The distance wag not great, and the ascent seemed to offor no formidable difficulty. We sot out, and reached the summit with no extraordinary exertion. The crater was of unusual dimensions, and had within it a cone uprising nearly to the level of its edge. And here yet another marvel lay in wait for vh — the hollow below, was thronged with whirling vapours, thickening and clearing, but

BEBTHING AND BOILING WITH BALEFUI* FIRES. Now we approached the sapphire; it was almost within oor grasp: there remained only the climb upwards. We did not think of tho roturn, even more fraught with peril should we obtain our heart's desire. Wo ventured on the frail envelope, which trembled uneasily at our tread. The mate and one of the men had advanced almost half-way across to where began the upward Blope when the ground gave way beneath the man, and flames, tangible and real, leaped up where he had been. I stood stricken with the horror of it when I heard a fearful ory above the roar of elemental fire, and saw the mate throw up his arms and throw himself into the abyss where his companion had disappeared. I felt A MAD FURY OF DESTRUCTION burning into my brain, and covering my face -with my hands I fled, heedless of the way, and by a merciful Providence alone I oame safe from out of that hell. A weary little knot of scorohed and bleeding men, broken by emotion, we huddled together on the edge, deciding always to go, but held by some horrible fascination to that wondrous glory- as of heaven ; and when we began our return to the launch it was with hesitatiDg steps and many a lingering backward glance. — Belgravia.