CHAPTER VII. HOW WE RODE BACK FROM THE GEYSERS. jfjg|ERE we were at the Geysers ! To most of us, I think, the Geysers had |lp^* been the chief point of attraction. As I had seen the Geysers of New ^ Zealand, and had learned how inferior were those in Iceland, I cannot say | that it had been so to me. But the Geysers even of Iceland are a sight to see, and I was glad to have an opportunity of visiting them. Our ride to and from the Geysers, with Thingvalla, the Bruara, and our galloping “ Mastiffs,” will always be dearer to me than the Geysers themselves. We reached the blasted field,—the field blasted by continual eruptions of hot boiling water,—about six; and as our baggage ponies were still far behind us we had ample time to roam about and explore the not distant wonders of the place. The hot springs in this locality are probably all within a mile of each other, and the two Geysers,—as the intermittent fountains of boiling water are called,— perform their operations within a quarter of a mile of each other. Between the two our tents were at last pitched, so that we might be close at hand to see whatever was to be seen. As we walked about we went very carefully among the boiling holes, as a single false step might precipitate a foot into one of the small infernal subterranean kettles. In an hour we had seen nearly all that was to be seen. Then the tents came, and we bivouaced and dined among the springs. There was of course no darkness or even twilight, and we had now abandoned the idea of dividing the twenty-four hours into day and night. So we wandered about, dabbling in hot water, and anxiously looking for eruptions. There is, first of all, the Great Geyser. This consists of a pool of boiling

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