We soon left this spot; for when the basins are quite filled with water it is very dangerous to approach them, as they may empty themselves any moment by an eruption.

We therefore went to inspect the other springs.
My unsteady guide pointed those out which we might unhesitatingly approach, and warned me from the others.

Then we returned to the great Geyser, where he gave me some precautionary rules, in case of an intervening eruption, and then left me to prepare some accommodation for my stay.

I will briefly enumerate the rules he gave me.
"The pillar of water always rises perpendicularly, and the overflowing water has its chief outlets on one and the same side.

The water does indeed escape on the other side, but only in inconsiderable quantities, and in shapeless little ducts, which one may easily evade.