LIY THE KEV. J. K. TENIS0N-WOOD3. 



127 



ejected, showing that it is not always safe to be m the neighbour- 

 Lootl of the crater. After about half a-raile or so of gradually 

 ascending hillocks of grey ash, the crater wall suddenly rises into a 

 steep truncated cone, between 200 and 300 feet above the slope. 

 It would be almost impossible to ascend so steep an incline of loose 

 ash as tine as the finest dust ; but the Javanese have constructed 

 for their own purpose a very simple and ingenious staircase or 

 ladder of baml>oo. By this means the side of the cone can be 

 scaled without more difficulty than the fatigue of a long steep 

 climb, via a ladder, where one-third of the rounds are wanting, 

 making only steps or jumps, at times rather long. It is strange 

 that this ladder, or a similar one, has been there from time 

 ini memorial- Dr. Horsfield saw it nearly 70 years ago. It is 

 used by the priests at the annual sacrifice, at- which period it is 

 renewed or repaired. It needed considerable repair at the present 

 time. 



It would be difficult to convey an idea of the wintry, desolate 

 aspect which this ]>art of the crater presents. There is not a trace 

 of vegetation. If here and there a weed or a blade of grass 

 shows itself it is speedily covered by the fine, almost imperceptible, 

 rain of dust and ash from the crater, which goes on for ever. The 

 roar heard at the foot of the ladder makes one unaccustomed to 

 it pause. There is nothing like it, unless the din and hoarse 

 echoes of a huge steam factory ; but then the sharp crackling kind 

 of bubble which shakes the ground and dominates all is peculiarly 

 its own. The blue sulphurous fumes which are rising from tie- 

 crater seem light and etherial, as seen from below. From the rest- 

 houBe they appeared dense and suffocating. 



There were no stones or ashes falling on our side. Even the 

 smoke and steam was blown by the wind to nearly the opposite 

 margin ; but there was very little wind. The fumes rose up to a 

 great height, aud Bpread like a canopy before they were stirred at 

 all. Up we went, having fastened our ponies to bamboo stakes 

 which are left for tile purpose at the foot of the ladder : 1 forget 

 how many stei* fch«ue were, but I thought really that they never 



