Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-10-25
1MPoRTANr DISCOVERY.
sUBrERRANkAN PASSAGE rnRouon rHE q
EZRA NEVADA MouNrAfSs.

IsUBTERRANEAN PASSAGE THRouGH THE az
EZRA NEVADA MoUNTAIEs.
We publish the annexed extract Of a
letter received few days since, from an
old friend. whose explorations in, Siifferent
parts of California have greatly assisted
in developing her immense resources
Should this subterraneouse eass prove as
practicable for a railroad route as our cor
respondent anticipates, the whole subject
will receive, an impetus scarcely dreamed
of by themost ardent imagination.-Ma.
riposa Gsronicle.
Having heard Mai S. speak
of very large and long cave that was
some where near the head of the Yo-Sem.
ity Valley-and as the mammoth caves at
Marble Springs, formed in the immense
ledge that traverses the gold region OF
assures, it occurred to me that there might
be subterranean pass through the Sier-
ra: The hostility of the Indians prevent
ed my acting upon the idea at that time.
but it was not forgotten.
had observed, while out against the
Indians in 81, that some Indians we were
pursuing disappeared at or near certain
point at the head of the valley, and al
though we examined every rock and bush
in the vicinity, we were unable TO obtain
apy clue to their hiding place. On our
return from the expedition, the cave was
mentioned to me incidentally, and at
once concluded that it was the secret
haunt of the Indians. l accordingly di.
rected my attention to this point. After
hayiue searched for three days without
theislgh ghtest prospect of success attending
our Efforts, resolved to adopt another
plan. But accident, or fortune accom-
plished what no plan could have DONE
Clambering among the mill-dewed aud
messy rocks at the base OF the lofty cliff,
l had become SO dusty that it was neces-
sary should bathe. The idea of taking
a shower-bath struck my fancy, and at
once repaired to the. fall. which exceeds
in height the celebrated fall of the Hima-
laya. Ordinarily, one cannot approach
nearer than one hundred yards Of the fall.
ing spray, or mist that hovers over aud
around :he cauldron; but at this time there
was strong breeze blowing up the val.
ley, sweeping aside the mist that hitherto
had prevented NY nearer approach. l
was about divesting myself of my gar.
ments, when gust OF wind, stronger than
any that had preceded it, exposed to my
astonished and joyful sight the long sought
cave. Ny ablutions were forgotten. l
hurried back to my patty and made known
the wonderful and fortunate discovery
The rest of the day was devoted to the
preparation Of torches; and on the follow
ing morning, after hearty breakfast, we
commenced our exploration of the cave.
Wn h oil po JiGSnNltH in a hnnfrl,
we were thoroughly drenched by the sheet
of water, back of which, protected by
shelving rocks, was an open space lead
ing to the cave. have not the language
to describe the feeling of awe with which
was struck upon entering the portals of
this grand and glowing structure, made
by no mortal hands. All that had read
of in boyish romance; all that vivid and
cratic Imagination had conceived of u sub
terrancan world, was tame and common
place compared with this sublimely stu.
pendous work Of nature. But TO proceed.
With lighted torches We cautiously com
menced our march, admiriuy the giant
stalacities that reflected in mAgni6ed rays
the light from our torches. We had pro.
ceeded but short distance when we OBJ
served what appeared TO be trail worn
in the rock. We at once decided TO fol.
low it. We had gone but short distance
when, passing through bed Of dust, we
discovered Indian tracks recently formed.
We were at first startled at this discovery;
but, after Little reflection, we decided
that in such a place tracks would remain
apparently fresh for years-and then, af.
ter our fears had subsided, we were en-
couraged with the idea that the tracks
would facilitate our exploration. We
were correct in our suPposition; for, had
we not followed the trail made by the In
dians, we would have been left in more
than Egyptian darkness. But l autici.
pate. Accordingly we followed on, cheer
ed by the hope Of soon emerging into the
broad glare of day. OF one thing we
were assured, viz: that there was an inlet
as well rs an outlet, for strong current
of air was meeting US, aud our torches
burned bright aud rapidIy-too rsPidly
for our stock of fat pine. which was dimin-
ishing very fast. thought Of sending
Mike back for fresh supply, when, turn
ing a sharp angle of the passage, we met
face to face, two tall and manly looking
Indians. Language cannot express the
astOnishment AID rage that was depicted
on their countenances upon beholding US
and had it been in their power we would
have been doomed to ineYitcble destruc-
ton. But after while ascertsined thai
one Of them spoke a little Spanish, and
with some difficulty made him under
stand that we had been directed through
the mysterious passage by the Great sPif.
il. They then told me in broken Spanish
that We were scarcely half way through
the pass-tbat little further on was an
immense chssm, but that it was bridged
with logs. (which we found petrifed y
that there were other passages that led