Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-10-31
THE TIGERS CAVE.
AN ADVENTURE AMONG THE MOUNTAINS @

On leaving the Indian village. we con-
tinued to wind round Chimborazo's. wide |
has, but It's snow crowned head no longer
shone above US in clear brilliancy, for a.
dense fog was gradually gathering around
1t. Our guides looked anxiously towards
it, and announced their approximations of a
-giolent storm. We soon found that their
fears were well founded. The fog rapidly
covered and obscured the whole OF the
mountains the atmosphere was sufoca
ting, and yet so humid, that the steel work
of our watches was covered with rust, and
the watches stopped. The river, beside
which we were travelling, rushed down
with still greater impetuosity; and from the
clefls of the rocks hich lay on the lef! of
our path, were suddenly precipitated into
small rivulets, that bore the roots Of trees,
rand innumerable serpents along with them.
These rlvulets often came down so sud-
denly and violently, that we had great diff
ticuty in preserving our footing. The thnn-
der at length began to roll, and resounded
through the mountainous passes with the
more terrific grandeur. Then came the
vivid lightnings-dash followed flash
above, around. beneath-every where a
sea of fire. We sought momentaTy shell
ter in a cleft Of the rOks, whilst one Of our
guides fastened lorv ard to seek a more Sc
cure asy lum. In short time he returned,
and informed Us that he had discovered d
spacious cavern, which would afford us
sufficient protection from the elements. -
We proceeded thlher Immediately, and,
t with great difficulty, and not lllle danger,
at last got into it. ...-r ...@
The noise and raging Of the storm con-
tinued with so much violence, that we could
not hear the sonnd Of our voices. | had
+, placed myself near the entrance of the cave,
and could observe through the opening
which. was straight and narrow, the singu-
lar scene without. The highest cedar trees
were struck down, or bent like reeds
monkeys and parrots lay strev ed upon the
ground, killed by the falling branches
lie water had collected in the path we had
Just passed, aud hurried along it like q
, thought it extremely probable that we
should De obliged to pass some days i'll this
cavern. When the storm, however, hac
somewhat abated, Our guides venturcd on
in order to ascertain if it were possible to
continue our journey. The cave in which
we had taken refuge was extremely dark
that if we moved few PAGES from the en-
trance, we could not see an inch before Us
and we were debating as to the proprlety
of leaving it before the Indians came back
when we suddenly heard singular groan
: ing or growing at the further end Of TIL
;, cavern, which instantly fxed all our atten
ton. Wharton and myself listened anx
;, iously, but our daring and 'lnconslderat
> young friend Lincoln, together with N.
huntsman, crept about on their hands AM
knees, and endeavored to discover, b,
cropping, from whence the sound proceed
ed. They had not advanced far into tn
: cavern, before we heard them utter an eX
clamation of SURPRISE and they returne
to us, each carrying in his arms an anins
II singularly marked, and about the size O.
e cat, seemingly Of great strength and pow
e er, and furnished with immense fangs
" The eyes were Of green oclor; stron
h claws were upon their feet, and bloc
IL red tongue hung out of their mouths
u Wharton had scarcely glanced at then
when he exclaimed, in CONSERVATION =
ic Good heavens have we come into tn
den of - lie was interrupted by
fearful cry Of dismay from our guides, VIII
al came rushing precipitateiy towards u:
- calling out-'A tiger, tiger! and at tn
d. same time, with extraordinary rapidly
they climbed up cedar tree which stoo
at the entrance of the cave, and hid then
selves among the branches!
I'll After the first sensation of horror an
surprise, which rendered me motionless ft
E. moment, had subsidized, grasped m
y. firearms. Wharton bad already regaine
80 his composure and self-possession. and
or called to us to assist him instantly in bloc|
W ing up the mouth of the cave with an in
- mense stone, which, fortunately, lay ne
Ita it. The sense of approaching danger au
mented our strength, for we now distinct
heard the growl of the ferocious anima
: and we were lost beyond redemption if
reached the entrance before we could G
lip it closed. Ere this was done, we ecu
distinctly see the tiger bounding towar'
the spot. and STOPPING, in order to cree
u into his den by the narrow opening. !
" this fearful moment our exertions we
. successful, and the great stone kept Il
try wild beast at bay. There was small
pen space, however, left between the II
of the entrance and the stone. thro' whi
we could see the head of the animal ilun