The Arkansas advocate., 1831-05-18

1 found ourselves in thick and almost pal Pabie darkness, the whole of our four lights spread but a feeble radiance a. bout us. Such IS the height at this place, that we were hardly able to dis cover the top, and to see from one side to the other, was utterly impossble.- From this place, extended several cu- verns, or, as travellers have named them. rooms, in different directions. The part ot the cave IS called the ''ifirst Hooper, D The soil at the bottom of the cave is very light and strongly impregnated with salt. The sides and top are form 1 ed of rock. We proceeded forward, passing several rooms on our right, and one on our left, until We arrived at the second Hopper,a distance of four miles from the mouth. About ono mile in the rear of this, was pointed out to us by our guide, the place where the celebrated mummy was found, which is now exhib- ting in the American Museum, at New \ ork. It was found, in sitting pos tare, by the side of the cavern, envel- oped in mat, and in complete state of preservation.
 We next entered the room denomin- ated the Haunted Chamber. ltis near ly two miles in length, twenty feet in heigth, and ten in breadth, extending nearly the whole length in right line. The top is formed of smooth, whitestone, soft, and very much resembling the plas- tering of room. There is a small quantity of water, constantly (although almostimperceptible1 failing from above, which, in the course of ages, has worn from the stone at the top, some beautiful pillars, which extend to the bottom of the room. They have the appearance of being the work of art. In one of them, there is formed a complete chair, with arms, which has received the name of sethc Arm Chair" By the side of this, is clear pool of water, stongly im- pregnatcd with sulpher. The sides of the room are likewise elegantly adorn- ed with a variety of figures, formed from the stone at the top, and coming down upon the side of the cavern like ieieles in the winter, from the caves of build ings, tue reflection of our lights upon them forming most brilliant appear ance. At tic end Of this room, We des- cended by a kind of natural staircase, to the depth of near three hundred feet, in many places, aifording only room for one person to proceed. Here we found a beautiful stream of pure water, wind ing it's way along between the rocks The situation of this part ofthe cavern is rendered really awful, from it's being as- sociated with variety of names that travellers have given it. The portrait of his Satanic Majesty is painted here upon the rocks, and a large fat stone, resting it's corners upon four others, is called his Dining Table. A short dis tance from this, is place said to be his Forging Shop. On the whole, they are admirably calculated to frighten the cowardly. We returned to the main cavern, and resumed our course, climb ing over rocks that had evidently fallen from above, and passing number of rooms on our right and left. With much exertion, we reached the place denom- mated the Essix corners" in consequence of six rooms (or covers) here, taking diff ferent directions. Not having time to examine these, we proceeded forward to the first water fall, about two miles further, over a level plain. The tracks of persons who might have preceded us for ages, were as plainly visible in the sand as when first made. There is no air stirring that would move the slightest feather, or prevent the impression of a tootstep from remaining for centuries.
 We now directed our course to the Chief City, about one mile further. A large hill situated in the centre of the cave, would have exhibited most com manding prospect, if the darkness had not obstructed our vision. One of Us. however, standing upon the top, with the lights stationed at different parts of its base, obtained a novel and interest ing view Of the cavern. There is an echo here that is very powerful, and we improved 1t with song, much to our qualification. We started forward a. gain, travelling oyera plain of two miles extent, and about the same distance over rocks and hills, when we arrived at the second waterfall. The water here dashes into a pit below of immense depth. A circumstance occurred here,