The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-22
e,,hterrameam Pass Discovered through
the Sierra Nevada.

We take The following from the Mariposa (Cal-
i,o,niu) Chronicle. 1t may all be very true, but il
sounds as # somebody was romancing:
We publish the annexed extract from letter
reeeved few days since, written by old friend
wbose explorations in different paris of California
have greatly assisted in developing her immense
resources. Should this subterrancan pass prove
az practical for a railroad route our cOrresPon-
den, anticipates the whole subject will receive an
imreus scarcely dreamed of by the most ardent
imagination: Having heard Major S.
sneak of a large and long cave that some
where near the head OF Yo Semity Valley, and
as the mammoth caves al Marble Springs formed
in the immense marble ledge that Iraverses the
poid region of California, are more less con-
nected by assures, it occurred 10 me that there
might be a sub.erranean pass through The Sierra.
The hostility OF the Indians prevented my acting
upon the idea at the time but ii not forgotten,
ard as soon as the bene6cent influences of Lieut..
BIS administration of Indian affairs had
tended 10 that region, stimulated by desire 10
render my name Illusrious some Of our dis
tinguished California travellers, and at the same
time benefit my country afer amply providing for
the undertaking, | commenced my exploration.
had observed, while out against tho Indians in
1851, that some Indians we were pursuing disaP.
peared al or near a certain point al the head Of
the valley, and athoug we examined every rock
and bush in the vicinity, unable to obtain
any clue 10 their hiding place. On return
from the expedition, the cave was mentioned 10 me
incidentally, and at once concluded that It was
the secret haunt of the Indians. according Y di
rccted my attention to the point. After having
searched for three days, without The slightest pros
pect OF success attending efforts, resolved 10
adopt another plan; but accident or fortune &C.
complished what no plan could have done. Clam
bering among the mildeH ed and messy rocks
the base of rocky cliff, ha1 become dusty
that II became necessary for To bathe. The
idea of taking shower bath struck my fancy, and
I at once repaired TO the fall, which exceeds In
height the celebrated fall of the HimaIaya, ord
narily, one cannot approach nearer than one hun
dred yards of the falling body OF water, owing 10
The SPRAY or mist that hOVers over and around the
cauld ron :" but al this time there was a strong
breeze blowing up the valley, sweeping aside The
mist that hitherto had prevented my nearer APP
proach. WIS about dvesting myself Of my gar
ments, when gust of wind, stronger than any
that had preceded It, exposed 10 my astonishcd ard
joyful sight, the long sought cave. Ny ablulions
we're forgotten; | hurrird back to my parry, and
made known the wonderful and fortunate di>cOve
~ The rest of the day was DEVOTED to the pre-
paralIOn Of torches; and on the following morn
lug, after a has,y breakfast, commenced our
exploration OF the cave.
We had no difficulty in entering ii, although we
were thoroughly dreuchtd by The sheet of water,
back Of s. ich, protected by shelving rocks, was
open space lending To the cave. | have not
language To describe the feeling of awe with which
was struck upon entering the portals OF this grand
aud glowing structure made BY no mortal hands.
All that had r, ad of IN bovsh romance, all tina
a vivid and erralIc Inauguration had conceived OF a
subierranean world wrs tame aud commonplace
Compared with this SubinrIy stupendous work OF
ndinre. But to proceed With light d torches We
cautiously Commenced march, admirng the
giant sialacIities that reflected in magnificent rays
the light from our torches. We had proceeded
but short distance WHEN observed hat ap-
pearrd 10 br trail, worn IN the rock. We nj
once decided To fOllnw u. We had lGIiOwt d il bu'
shOit 'ancc, when, passing through bed Of
dust, we discovered ln.nn tracks. recently form
cd. We at first we're startled al this discovery,
bat after a little rcfrc'ipn decided that IN
such place tracks would remain apparently fresh
for years: and them after fears had subsidrd,
We were encouraged with the idea that the tracks
would facilitate exploration.
We were correct in our suPposuon, for had we
not followed the trail made by the Indians, we
would not have brCn IeiI in more than Egyptian
darkness. But anticipate; accordingly We fol-
lowed on, cheCrPd bv the hope of soon emerging
into the broad glare of day. OF ohe thing We
were assured, namely. that there inlet as
well as an QUILT, for strong current of air was
WctllhB US, anU our torches UurnGu BTI1nl d0u
rapIdly-too rapidly, for stock of fat pine
diminishing very last. thought Of sendug back
for fresh supply, when turning sharp angie oil
the passage, met face tn face too tall and man
ly looking Indians. language caUnot express the |
asOni,hmpnt and rage thnI depicted OIL their
countenanceS upon h,hoirng us, and had it been !
IN their power, would have been doomed to |
inevitable destruction. But after a while asccr
tanned that one OF them spoke little Spanish, and |
with some difficulty made them understand that |
we had been directed through the mysterious pas
sSge by The Great Spirit. They then told me in |
bToktn Spanish hat were scarcely half way |
Through The pass-that a liue further on was an
Imm"n>e chasm, but that il was bridgcd by logs. .
Which we found petrfrd, and that there were
othrr passages that led iu'o lakes and rivers, bur
without any known uu I. They said that This
pass was only known to their tribe and ourselves;
II had been mentioned "a NJ ,jnr S., but had |
never been shown To him. that they were the /
great medicine men of their tribe and were return
ING Grnm a visit Ia the white tribe at the eastern |
end of the pass They then gave some Of their |
torches, bid us good bye. and d"parted. We con-
graduated each other good fortune, and .
continued our march in high spirits. We found .
he chasm yawning abyss, into which had been ,
brown many victims Of savage cruelty. for at tue
bottom, by Ihr aid ut torch thrown down. we /
discovered the bones OF many human framns.-
We Gopud nothing mere Ia obStruct passage !
except few massive bouIdcrS, which wc howe
yer, passed, and the morning Of The fourth day,
We entered the village OF the white Indians.