28 RECONNAISSANCE FROM CARROLL, MONTANA, 
formance, rarely exceeding, however, 20 or 25 feet. After breakfast we returned to the “ Giantess”, 
which was evidently becoming more excited, and, while awaiting its discharge, examined the 
surroundings more closely. ~ 
The basin is some 25 by 16 feet and 25 or 30 feet in depth, with scalloped margin; 70 feet 
north of this stands a handsome boiling spring, which has built itself a sarcophagus 23 or 3 feet in 
height, like a huge bath-tub, with richly ornamental borders. This operates in sympathy with the 
“Giantess”; is excited, and boils violently with her; and we afterward found it empty and desolate, 
upon the dissipation of her power. 
About 11 o’clock, this, the greatest geyser, gave its first spout, and we continued watching its 
subsequent action until nearly 3 p.m. The water was expelled by a succession of 
violent splashes to a height of 15 to 50 feet, but without at first reaching a great 
altitude. With occasional lulls, the performance went on, the water sometimes being thrown 100 
feet in the air. Large stones and stumps were cast into the basin and hurled instantly to a height 
of 200 feet, the high wind which prevailed at the time preventing the water and steam from attain- 
ing a similar elevation. The water fell occasionally, leaving the basin empty; and by standing on 
the windward side we could look down into it and see the large triangular-shaped vent at the 
bottom, whence issued the transparent steam. Again and again the geyser renewed its strength, 
sending ont vast volumes of steam with a deafening roar that shook the whole valley, and occa- 
sionally snatching hold of a new reservoir of water and instantly ejecting it; each fresh access of 
wrath or travail being heralded by deep, mighty thuds, as though some vast machinery were at 
work beneath. The exhibition of enormous power wasted in these prolonged spasms of blind 
rage was both fascinating and terrible, and the imagination, powerfully stimulated in the pres- 
ence of such strength and fury, could not avoid imputing to the scene the attributes of gigantic 
passion and suffering. It seemed as though the geyser, maddened by some inexpressible and 
mysterious torment, were imprisoned beneath and gradually exhausting herself in unavailing 
struggles to escape it by bursting the bonds that held her, the paroxysms of efforts being alternated 
with intervals of stupor, again and again overcome by her still unabated rage. 
During the afternoon, the “ Bee Hive” again played, the high wind depressing its column below 
that of the previous discharge. 
A party, about dark, came in from Virginia City. Following up the valley of the Madison 
Virginia City to River, they had brought two wagons without much difficulty through the Lower 
the geysers. Basin, but were compelled to leave them a short distance above on account of the 
fallen timber and bog along the trail. The distance to the Upper Basin from Virginia City is one 
hundred and ten miles. 
August 23.—All the first-class geysers had now been favorably seen, with the sole exception of 
The “Giant”, or the “Giant”, toward whose picturesque crater we went, with the intention of devot- 
“Broken Horns! ing the day toit. The “ Broken Horn” is a well-chosen and descriptive name, and 
worthy of being retained. The crater is a steeply conical mound of geyserite, 12 or 15 feet in 
height, tapering toward the summit, and having the west side broken down, or rather partly 
unconstructed. The geyser still boiled strongly, and we felt great bopes of seeing it play. Near by 
are the “Grotto”, seen yesterday, and which played almost constantly during the day; the “ Pyra- 
mid”, a cone of silica 25 or 30 feet high, with steam slowly escaping from it, but its life now nearly 
extinct; the ‘Punch Bowl”, and smaller ones. The last-named geyser played frequently during 
the day, some of its exhibitions being very fine. We waited the greater part of the day for the 
“Giant” to give us a display, but though evidently powerfully excited and from time to time arous- 
ing fresh hopes, to our great regret it failed todo so. Returning toward camp, the “Grand” again 
gave indications of strong disturbance, and we remained there for an hour, but without result. 
While waiting, we had additional evidence of the brutality of the average visitors, several of 
whom, of both sexes, were busily chopping and prying out the most. characteristic 
and conspicuous ornamental work. An earnest remonstrance was followed by a 
sulky suspension of hostilities, which were, however, no doubt renewed as soon as we were out of 
sight. 
The “Saw Mill”, above the “Grand”, is an interesting geyser. Its lively play, and its quick, 
The “ Giantess”. 
More vandalism. 
