I have now described seven of the largest geysers seen in the Firehole Basin, and the description falls far short of the reality. To do justice to the subject would require a volume. The geysers of Iceland sink to insignificance beside them; they are above the reach of comparison. We could not distinguish, on every occasion, the geysers from the other hot springs, except by seeing them play, and doubtless there are many besides in the valley of great size, which we saw when quiet, and classed as boiling springs. They all vary in times, force, deposits, and colors of water. The number of springs of all kinds in the valley is not less than fifteen hundred; and, with the exception of Bluestone Springs, scarcely any two are exactly alike. Taken as an aggregate, the Firehole Basin surpasses all other great wonders of the continent. It produces an effect on the mind of the beholder utterly staggering and overpowering. During the night we were several times awakened by the rush of steam and the hissing of the waters, as the restless geysers spouted forth in the darkness. A constant rumbling, as of machinery in labor, filled the air, which was damp and warm throughout the night.
Twenty-ninth day. -- This morning we were
awakened by a fearful, hissing sound, accompanied by the rush of falling
water, and, looking out, saw on the other side of the stream a small crater,
three feet in height, and with an opening of 26 inches diameter, which
had scarcely been noticed on the previous day, and was now playing a perpendicular
jet to the height of 219 feet, with great clouds of steam escaping, and
causing the ground to tremble as the heavy body of water fell with tremendous
splashes upon the shelly strata below. Huge masses of the rocks were torn
from their places and borne away into the river channel. It played thus,
steadily, for ten minutes, giving us time to obtain an accurate measurement
by triangulation, which resulted as above stated. This crater gave no notice
of being a geyser; its appearance and size were altogether insignificant,
compared with others. We were more than ever convinced that continued observation
would develop the knowledge of geysers in greater numbers, and perhaps
of greater projectile force than any we had seen. Our rations were becoming
scarce, however, and seven days had been comparatively lost in searching
for Mr. Everts. We sent the train in advance at 9 o'clock, and waited all
the forenoon at the grand geyser, in hopes of witnessing another eruption.
The waters rose gradually until the great crater was nearly filled, but
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