"I shouted a warning to those above. The engine was put into reverse and run at full speed. The gondola com-Jmenced to rise. 1 felt my pulse. It ]was racing at double its ordinary rat T did not know whether this was because of the heat or due to fright, but T made a note of it.
"In a minute or two the rumbling below became quieter and finally. ceased altogether. I asked that the Jengine be stopped, and inquired rejmarding what had happened. The Jmen above, in turn, asked me what had occurred. Evidently they were Met aware of the terrify noise which had caused me such fright. They assured me there had been nothing Junusual outside of the slight rumblings Jsuch as are heard every few minutes.
"Thus reassured, I ordered the gondola lowered again, But in my, heart there was now some doubt regarding the advisability of going through with my plans. At 1,000 feet Joclow the surface, the slight rumbling that is heard at the summit sounded luke @ hundred thunderbolts.™
But this was no time to lose courage. The gondola started its down-Jward trip once more. This time it Jcontinued its descent until it reached! 1,250 feet. There was a slight jolt Jas the cage struck a ledge."
The gondola came to a stop and fate. Iwata peered about hm. At frst Ihe could see nothing, but as his eyes became accustomed to the dark, he was able to make out the form of] several volcanic rocks. But let him. [describe his experience.
decided to get out and do a iitte} Jexploring," he said. "I released the Tock of the door ana tried to make my way out, Push as I would, however, the door refused to budge more than two or three inches.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.