Exploration of West Valley 



where we could obtain a clear view from a safer 

 distance. 



Hardly had we established ourselves in our new 

 look-out when the whole front of the stream appeared 

 to topple over, and the imprisoned lava rushed out in a 

 torrent and precipitated itself into the lake. We were 

 almost stunned by the sound of the explosions which 

 followed. 



What exactly took place we were unable to see, as 

 the whole mass was instantly enshrouded in a cloud of 

 steam, from which showers of stones were shot into 

 the air in all directions. Even here we were not safe, 

 several small masses of spongy lava, still hot, falling 

 round about us, while the mound which we had previously 

 occupied was strewn with blocks estimated at several 

 pounds' weight. The fusilade continued, but after a 

 time became less violent, and the projectiles seemed, 

 for the most part, to be thrown forward across the lake. 

 Nevertheless, after the narrow escape we had had, we did 

 not feel inclined to again approach the stream so closely. 



The activity at the summit of the cone, though con- 

 siderably diminished, was still far too violent to allow of 

 an ascent being made, and as we had still some exploration 

 work to do on the gold-bearing gravels, we returned to 

 Three Forks Camp. 



Three weeks later, we again set out for the volcano 

 in the hopes that we should now be able to ascend to 

 the crater. On reaching the rounded hill of gneiss near 

 the junction of the streams, from which we had obtained 

 our first view of the cones, we saw that the eruption had 

 so far subsided as to give hopes of our being able to 

 accomplish the end we had in view. 



233 



