The Sierra citizen., 1854-08-12
Important, If True.


cry of q subterranean passage through the
Sierra Nevada, in the following romantic
style:
Stimulated by desire to render my
name as illustrious as some of our distin-
guished California travellers, and at the
same time benefit my country, after amply
providing for the undertaking, l COM
menced my exploration.
| Il had observed while out against the
Indians in 1851, that some Indians we
were pursuing disappeared at or near a
certain point at the head of the valley,
and although we examined every rock and
bush in the vicinity, we were unable to
obtain any 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. accordingly
directed my attention to this point. After
having searched for three days without
the slightest 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 and
messy rocks at the base of the lofty cliff
had become so dusty that it became ne
ceSsary for me 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
Himalaya; ordinarily, one cannot approach
nearer than one hundred yards of the
falling body OF water, owing to the spray
or mist that hovers over and around the
"cauldron;" bat at this time there was a
strong breeze blowing up the valley,
sweeping aside the mist that hitherto had
prevented my nearer approach. I was
about divesting myself of my garments,
when gust of wind, stronger than any
that had preceded it, exposed to my aston
ished and joyful sight the long-sought cave
Ny ablutions were forgotten; l hurried
back to my party, and made known the
wonderful and fortunate discovery. The
rest of the day was devoted to the prepa-
ration Of torches; and On the following
morning, after hasty breakfast, we CON-
menced our exploration of the cave.
"We had no difficulty in entering it, al
though we were thorougholy drenched by
the sheet of water, back Of which, pro
tected by shelving rocks, was an open
space, leading to the cave. I have not
language to describe the feeling Of awe
with which l was struck upon entering
the portals of this gra.nd and glowing
structure, made hy no mortal hands. All
that had read Of in boyish romance, all
that vivid and cratic imagination had
conceived of subterranean world was
tame and commonplace compared with
teis sublimely stupendous work of nature
| But to proceed: With lighted torches we
cautiously commenced our march, admir-
ing the giant stalactites that reflected in
magnified rays the light from our torches
We had proceeded but short distanc
when we observed what appeared to '.,e ,
trail, worn in the rock. We at once de
cided to follow it. We had followed i
but short distance, when, Passing through
a bed of dust, we discovered Indian tracks
recently formed. We at first were star
tied at this discovery. but after littlf
reflection, we decided that in sncb . nlace
tracks would remain apparently fresh fol
years-and tEen, after our fears had sub
sided, we were encouraged with the idea
that the tracks would facilitate our ex
plorat'on. We were correct in our sup
position, for had we not followed the trail
made by the Indians, we would have been
left in more than Egyptian darkness
But anticipate-ac accordingly we followed
on, cheered by the hope of soon emerging
I into the broad glare Of day. OF one thing
we were assured-namely, that there was
an inlet as we'll as an outlet, for strong
current of air was meeting us, and our
torches burned bright and rapidly-too
rapidly, for our stock of fat pine was di.
minishing very fast, l thought of sending
Mike back for a fresh supply, when turn
ing sharp angle Of the passage, we met
face to face two tall and manly looking
Indians. Language cannot express the
astonishment and rage that was depicted
on their countenances upon beholding us,
and had it been in their power, we would
have been doomed to inevitable destruc-
tion. But after while, / ascertained
that one of them spoke little Spanish.
and with some difficulty l made them un-
derstand that we had beendirected through
the mysterious passage by the Great
Spirit. They then told ME in broken
Spanish, that we were scarcely half way
through the pass-that little further on
was an immense chasm, but that it was
bridged by logs-which we found petri-
fied-and that there were other passages
that led into lakes and rivers, but without
any known outlet. They said that this pass
was only known to their tribe and our
selves; it had been mentioned to Major