PAINFUL INCIDENT. 225
of smoke, and a rumbling noise, so deafening that we had to speak very loudly in order to hear each other.
About the middle of this steaming valley is seen a slough, or pond, from which a spring, con- stantly bubbling, spouts volumes of boiling water into the air. There are also smaller pools near it. The whole scene is indescribably dreary and melancholy, rendered more so by its association with a sad event.
A controlcur who had visited this spot, being desirous of making an accurate sketch of the hot springs, ventured most rasjdy to walk across u jiortion of a pool which aj)i)eared to him perfectly safe. He ]ia<l nf)t proceeded many steps, however, before th(,' around be<j;;ni to iiive wav under him, and he sank up to his waist in boih"ng nuid, suljduir, and water. His friend, and the natives present, span-d no effort to extricate liini from his [)erik>us ])f)>ition, anil after con^ideraljItMliflicukv, and u'lvat VOL. II. Q
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