more heaved and surged about in the huge caldron
below.

The eruption continued for about five minutes without any apparent
diminution of force. It then subsided into fitful and convulsive jets,
as if making a last effort, and finally disappeared with a deep growl
of disappointment. All was now quiet save the gurgling of the murky
water as it sought its way back. Zoega said it was not done yet--that
this was only a beginning. I took my sketch-book and resolved to seize
the next opportunity for a good view of the eruption, taking, in the
mean time, a general outline of the locality, including a glimpse of
the Langarfjal. Just as I had finished up to the orifice the same
angry roar which had first startled me was repeated, and up shot the
dark, boiling flood in grander style than ever. This time it was
absolutely fearful. There could be no doubt the dose of sods we had
tumbled into the stomach of the old gentleman was making him not only
dreadfully sick, but furiously angry.

At this moment, as if the elements sympathized in his distress, fierce
gusts of wind began to blow down from the Langarfjal. So sudden and
violent were they that it was difficult to maintain a foothold in our
exposed position; and the tall column of fountains, struck with the
full violence of the wind, presented a splendid spectacle of strength
and rage--surging, and swaying, and battling to maintain its erect
position, and showing in every motion the irresistible power with
which it was ejected. Steam, and water, and sods went whirling down
into the valley; the very air was darkened with the shriven and
scattered currents; and a black deluge fell to the leeward, hundreds
of yards beyond the orifice. The weird and barren aspect of the
surrounding scenery was never more impressive.

"What do you think of the Strokhr, sir?" asked Zoega, with some pride.
"Is it equal to the Geysers of California?"

[Illustration: THE STROKHR.]

I was rather taken aback at the honest bluntness of this question,
and must admit that I felt a little crest-fallen when I came to
compare the respective performances. Therefore I could only answer, in
rather a casual way,

"Well, Zoega, to tell you the truth, ours don't get quite so sick as
this, owing, no doubt, to the superior salubrity of our climate. You
might throw sods into them all day, and they wouldn't make such a fuss
about it as the Strokhr makes about a mere handful. Their digestion,
you see, is a great dea