It is probable that the whole interior of this huge dome is fluid,
for the eruptions from this summit crater do not proceed from its
filling up and running over, but from the mountain sides being
unable to bear the enormous pressure; when they give way, high or
low, and bursting, allow the fiery contents to escape. So, in 1855,
the mountain side split open, and the lava gushed forth for thirteen
months in a stream which ran for 60 miles, and flooded Hawaii for
300 square miles. {411}
From the camping ground, immense cracks parallel with the crater,
extend for some distance, and the whole of the compact grey stone of
the summit is much fissured. These cracks, like the one by which
our tent was pitched, contain water resting on ice. It shows the
extreme difference of climate on the two sides of Hawaii, that while
vegetation straggles up to a height of 10,000 feet on the windward
side in a few miserable blasted forms, it absolutely ceases at a
height of 7,000 feet on the leeward.
It was too cold to sit up all night; so by the "fire light" I wrote
the enclosed note to you with fingers nearly freezing on the pen,
and climbed into the tent.
It is possible that tent life in the East, or in the Rocky
Mountains, with beds, tables, travelling knick-knacks of all
descriptions, and servants who study their master's whims, may be
very charming; but my experience of it having been of the make-shift
and non-luxurious kind, is not delectable.
Pages:
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486