KILAUEA. 173 



twenty-five feet, and falling back again into the lake. Dr. Judd now 

 despaired of gratifying his own wishes and mine, by obtaining lava 

 in the liquid state, and ordered a retreat. 



On his return, the party passed the small crater which has been 

 spoken of; and which, by comparison with the larger one, appeared 

 cool. Smoke and a little igneous matter were issuing from a small 

 cone in its centre; but with this exception, a crust of solid lava 

 covered the bottom. 



On the sides of this crater, Dr. Judd saw some fine specimens of 

 capillary glass, " Pele's hair," which he was anxious to obtain for our 

 collection. He, therefore, by the aid of the hand of one of the natives, 

 descended, and began to collect specimens. When fairly down, he 

 was in danger of falling, in consequence of the narrowness of the 

 footing; but in spite of this difficulty, his anxiety to select the best 

 specimens enticed him onwards. While thus advancing, he saw and 

 heard a slight movement in the lava about fifty feet from him, which 

 was twice repeated, and curiosity led him to turn to approach the 

 place where the motion occurred. In an instant, the crust was broken 

 asunder by a terrific heave, and a jet of molten lava, full fifteen feet in 

 diameter, rose to the height of about forty-five feet, with a most appalling 

 noise. He instantly turned for the purpose of escaping ; but found that 

 he was now under a projecting ledge, which opposed his ascent, and 

 that the place where he had descended was some feet distant. The 

 heat was already too great to permit him to turn his face towards it, 

 and was every moment increasing ; w 7 hile the violence of the throes, 

 which shook the rock beneath his feet, augmented. Although he con- 

 sidered his life as lost, he did not omit the means for preserving it ; 

 but offering a mental prayer for the Divine aid, he strove, although in 

 vain, to scale the projecting rock. While thus engaged, he called in 

 English upon his native attendants for aid ; and looking upwards, saw 

 the friendly hand of Kalumo, — who on this fearful occasion had not 

 abandoned his spiritual guide and friend, — extended towards him. Ere 

 he could grasp it, the fiery jet again rose above their heads, and Kalumo 

 shrunk back, scorched and terrified, until excited by a second appeal, 

 he again stretched forth his hand, and seizing Dr. Judd's with a giant's 

 grasp, their joint efforts placed him on the ledge. Another moment, 

 and all aid would have been unavailing to save Dr. Judd from perishing 

 in the fiery deluge. 



In looking for the natives, they were seen some hundreds of yards 

 distant, running as fast as their legs could carry them. On his calling 

 to them, however, they returned, and brought the frying-pan and pole. 

 By this time, about ten or fifteen minutes had elapsed ; the crater was 



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