834 
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 
midst of a violent wind and rain storm 
on the evening of the former day. 
We found the ascent of the volcano 
somewhat difficult, as its upper slopes 
were covered with recently ejected slip- 
pery mud. We struggled through this, 
reaching the crater rim at dusk and be- 
ing rewarded for our efforts by a mag- 
nificent display. An enormous column 
of steam was rushing from the new 
funnel-shaped crater (see pages 323-4), 
and was illuminated by constant light- 
ning flashes. 
At frequent intervals there were ex- 
plosions, which caused the ground to 
tremble violently, and huge boulders 
were hurled skyward. As there was 
little wind at the time, most of these fell 
back into the crater and rolled to the 
bottom, where they often momentarily 
plugged the steam vent, with the result 
that they were promptly blown into the 
air again. In fact, ascending boulders 
not infrequently passed descending boul- 
ders in mid-air. 
Now and then enormous columns of 
black mud rushed upward to a height of 
600 feet or more. 
Long after dark we made our way 
back to the shore, where with some 
trepidation we established our camp for 
the night. Before morning there oc- 
curred an explosion so violent as almost 
to throw us from our cots. 
The following day was spent in ob- 
serving the magnificent display, and in 
an effort to secure photographs, which 
was rendered comparatively fruitless by 
frequent rain-squalls. From time to 
time we were showered with mud, which 
burned viciously, not because it was hot, 
but because of the strong acid which it 
contained (see pages 324-6 and 350). 
When I again visited the volcano, a 
few weeks later, the disturbance had en- 
tirely subsided, and on my next subse- 
quent visit the newly formed crater had 
become converted into a lake, which ulti- 
mately dried up. 
TAAL AGAIN WRATHY 
Taal continued unusually quiet until 
January, 191 1. During the night of the 
27th of that month the seismographs at 
the Manila Observatory commenced to 
register frequent disturbances, which 
were at first of insignificant importance, 
but increased rapidly in frequency and 
intensity. The total recorded shocks on 
that day numbered 26. During the 28th 
there were recorded 217 distinct shocks, 
of which 135 were microseismic, while 10 
were quite severe. The frequent and 
increasingly strong earthquakes caused 
much alarm at Manila, but the observa- 
tory staff was soon able to locate their 
epicenter in the region of Taal Volcano 
and to assure the public that Manila was 
in no danger, as Taal is distant from it 
some 37 miles. 
Definite news that Taal was in erup- 
tion was received daring the morning of 
January 28, in a telegram to the Director 
of the Bureau of Science from Mr. J. D. 
Ward, who conducts tourists to the vol- 
cano. Mr. Charles Martin, the govern- 
ment photographer, left for the scene of 
disturbance at 3 p. m., reaching the edge 
of Bombon Lake at 8 p. m. Meanwhile 
various other telegrams had been re- 
ceived at Manila, stating that a huge 
column of black "smoke" had been pour- 
ing out of the crater since early morning, 
and that sinister subterranean rumblings 
were causing panic among the people of 
the neighboring towns. 
THE BRAVERY OF PHOTOGRAPHER MARTIN 
As Mr. Martin was one of the few 
competent observers who witnessed the 
eruption at short range, and who was 
not so overcome by the awful catastrophe 
in which it culminated as to be unable to 
give any intelligent account of what oc- 
curred, particular interest attaches to his 
statements. 
He had been sent to obtain a photo- 
graphic record of the phenomena of this 
eruption, which no one anticipated would 
be destructive, and he proceeded to per- 
form his appointed task with extraordi- 
nary coolness, and with complete disre- 
gard for his personal safety. It is due 
to the merest chance that he is alive 
today. 
Early in the morning of January 29 
he crossed the disturbed waters of Bom- 
bon Lake in Mr. Ward's boat and by 8 
o'clock had made his way to the crater 
rim, from which point he secured a mag- 
