FE 
j 
distance the water scalded it. From this c 
_ running stream, was just the width c f my hi 
AND RETURN TO SAN FRANCISCO, 4] 
small stream came tumbling down, concealed from view 
by dense foliage, and united at the base of a jutting 
mass of rocks, as seen in the sketch. I thrust a staff, 
which I carried with me, some three or four feet into 
the crumbled granite beneath; which led us to think 
it not quite safe to remain where we were. From this 
place, we got down with some difficulty to the bottom 
of the gorge, where the main stream ran. The water 
was-here cold and pure, exhibiting no unpleasant taste. 
A few yards further brought us into the midst of the 
pulling geysers, or steam-jets ; for I knew not by what 
other name to call them. Fumes of sulphur here met 
our nostrils at every step, while the rustling steam, as 
it spouted from a hundred cavities, completely envel- 
oped us. The latter did not issue in one continuous 
‘column, but at short intervals, as from the*pipe of a 
high pressure engine. It was with some difficulty that — 
we could breathe here among the fumes of sulphur and 
the steam; and we crouched low in the bed of the 
rocky stream to avoid them. In cavities along both — 
banks, and near the running brook, was boiling water, 
which rose and fell, accompanied by a loud gurgling © 
noise, resembling that of a gigantic steam condenser, 
In one of these cavities, stones as large as an egg” oe 
were in a state of commotion, presenting a curious < - 
resemblance to a pot of boiling potatoes. I el 
hand fifteen inches above this boiling po 
the surface of the boiling water in the cay i W 
a foot above the running water. The 1 v a 
