242 JYotice of Haimii, (Owyhee,) and its Volcanic Regions, fyc. 



tumult of a tempest at sea. At first, the agitation was perpendicular 

 — precisely that of a boiling cauldron — tossing up masses of the red- 

 hot matter, in a bubbling action, fifteen and twenty feet, with a rapid- 

 ity of motion, equal to that of the most heated boiler. Then came 

 a long, regular motion from the south, heaving before it a fiery surf, 

 whose crested billows rose, and broke, in sheets and spray of fire, 

 like heavy billows sweeping over a reef to* the shore ! The effect 

 was almost too fearful to be gazed on ; and, for a moment — in for- 

 getfulness of the distance and safety of my location — as billow after 

 billow rose higher and higher and seemed ready to dash over me, 

 with an exclamation of horror, I dropped the glass and closed my 

 eyes upon the sight. 



I would have run for my fellow travellers, but feared, that before 

 they could be aroused and would reach the spot, the aspect of the 

 scene might be entirely altered. This indeed would have been the 

 case ; for, in less than fifteen minutes, the agitation had entirely ceased ; 

 and the surface soon became less bright and fiery than that of many 

 other spots. I waited a long time, hoping to see it renewed, but in 

 vain : and then returned to my couch under an excitement of varied 

 emotions, admiration, awe, and deep humility ; by this scene I was 

 repaid a hundred fold, for all the fatigue and exposure of the journey. 



In the nearness and distinctness of the view, and in the clear per- 

 ception of the form, character, and power of the action, it far sur- 

 passed any thing beheld on the nights I was there with Lord Byron 

 — although the general exhibitions, at that period, were far more 

 beautiful, and less obscured by smoke, than during this visit. 



Early on Thursday morning, our encampment was in the bustle 

 of preparation for a return to the bay : and breakfast was finished, 

 and our long procession formed, by half past six o'clock. The 

 weather did not promise much in our favor. The clouds were low 

 and scudding — every thing wore rather a gloomy aspect — and we 

 had scarce accomplished three miles, before it began to rain ; and in 

 a short time, we found ourselves in a perfect storm. There was no 

 alternative, however, but as rapid a march as possible. With stiffen- 

 ed and swollen limbs and feet, shoes very much the worse for ser- 

 vice already performed, stores nearly expended, a driving rain in our 

 faces, and a walk of twenty miles to accomplish before we could 

 reach a shelter, we did not feel much disposed to be facetious ; and 

 formed a procession rather silent and wo-begone, compared with the 

 buoyancy, with which we had hurried over the same ground, two 



