New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-13
NOTES OF WESTERN TRAVEL.
TBE MAMMOTH CAvE--A DAYS JOUR
NEY UNDER GROUND.
MAMMOTH CAVE HoTEL, May 8, 1855

TIA pext morning we made preparations for
an early start, as we had long days Journey
h.sare Us. Our party was increased to eleven
By the addition Of bridal pair, young Ten
pessean, and two silent Boston gentlemen. We
had two guides: Stephen, whom had specially
ENGAGED. and Mat. The ladies', with one excep-
t;or. were attired in Bloomer costume, greatly
10 the nerriment of the party, but much to
xAeir own convenience. Dresses are kept at
he hotel for the use of lady visitors, and
vould advise all such TO make use of them
In addition to the supply of lamps the guides
carried capteens of oil and baskets Of provis-
IAN. for the dinner we were to make in the re-
s;ous beyond the Styx. Thus equipped and pro-
vi1ed for we set out Immediately after break
Ast.
Stephen, who has had share in all the prin-
sipal explorations and discoveries, is almost as
widely known as the Cave itself He is slight,
graceful and very handsome mulatto of about
thirty-fve years Of age, with perfectly regular
and clearly cbiseled features, keen, dark eye,
and glossy hair and moustache. He is the model
Of guide--quick, daring enthusiastic, perse-
vering, with lively appreciation of the won
ders he shows, and degree of intelligence I'M
usual in one of his class. He has a smattering
Of Greek mythology, good idea of geography,
history and a limited range of literature, and a
familiarity with geological technology which
astonished me. He will discourse upon the
various formations in the Cave as fuently as
Professor Silliman himself. His memory is
al ba hnara
telling expression without treasurng it up for
later use. In this way his mind has become the
repository of great variety of opinions and
comparisons which he has sagacty enough to
eolate and arrange, and he rarely confuses or
misplaces his material. / think no one can
tIayel under his guidance without being inter-
ested in the man and associating him in men,
DRY with the realm over which he is chief
ruler.
Mat, who ranks next to Stephen among the
guides, is also a Bulatto, of about the same
see--a careful, patient intelligent and amiable
man, but with less geological knowledge than
the latter He does not belong to the cave
property, but is hired out by his mister.
Stephen and Alfred belonged to DIR. Croghsn,
the late owner of the cave and are to be manu-
mitted in another year, with number of other
slaves. They are now receiving wages, in order
to enable them to begin freedom with little
capital in Liberia, their destined home. Stephen
hear, has commenced the perusal of Black
stone, with view to practice law there, but
from his questions concerning the geography OF
the country, / foresee that his tastes will lead
him to become one of its explorers He will find
room and verge enough in the Kong mountains and
about the sources of the Niger, and if desired TO
undertake an exploration of those regions, know
of few aids whom would sooner choose.
There was no outbreathing from the regions
below as we stood at the entrance to the Cave, the
upper atmosphere having precisely the same tem-
perature. We advanced in single file down the
Main Avenue, which from the increased number of
lamps showed with greater distinctness than on
our first trip. Without pausing at any OF the OBJ
jects of interest on the road, we marched to the
Giants Coffin, crawled throughthe hole behind it,
passed the Deserted Chambers, and reached the
Bottomless Pit the limit of our journey in this
direction the previous day.
Beyond the Pit we entered upon new ground.
After passing from under its Moorish dome the
ceiling became low and the path sinuous and rough.
l could only walk by STOPPING considerably and it
10 necessary to keep sharp lookout TO avoid strik
ing your head against the transverse ambs Of rock
This passage is aptly called the Valley of Humiia-
tien IL branches off to the right into another pas
sage called Pensco Avenue, which contains some
curious staactitc formations similar to the Gothic
Gallery. We did not explore it, but turned to the
left and entered an extremely narrow, winding
passage which meanders through the solid rock.
II is called Fat Mans Misery, and any one whose
body is more than Is inches in depth will have
trouble to get through. The largest man who ever
passed it weighed 200 pounds, and sny gentleman
&hax. hat M hat RI
of the cave UNEMPLOYED. None of came within
the scope of prohibition, Mature, it seems, Is OPP
posed to corpulence,) and after five minutes twist
ing we emerged into spacious hall called the
. Great Relief It's continuation forms an avenue
which leads to Bandits Hall-a Wild rugged vault
the bottom Of which is heaped with huge rocks
that have fallen from above. All this part of the
Cave lie rich in striking and picturesque effects and
presents more rude and irregular character than
anything We had yet seen.
At the end of Bandits Hall is the Meat Room,
where fine collection of limestone hams and
shoulders are suspended from the ceiling, as in a
smoke-house. The resemblance which is really
curious, is entirely owing to the action of water
The air now grew perceptibly damp and a few
more steps brought us to the entrance of River
Hall Here the ceiling not only becomes loftier,
but the floor gradually slopes away before you,
and you look down into the vast depths and uncer-
tain darkness and question yourself If the Grecan
fable De not indeed true. While paused on the
brink of these fresh mysteries the others of the
party had gone ahead under the charge of Mat;
Stephen, who remained with me, proposed that
we should descend TO the banks Of the Styx and
zee them crossing the liver upon the Natural
Bridge. We soon stood upon the brink of the
black, silent water; the arch of the portal was
scarcely visible in the obscurity far above u.s.
Now as far below l saw the twinkle of distant
lamp, then another and another els il possible"
asked "that they have descended so much fur