Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-06-22
FRIDAY, JUNE 90, 1865.


those whose nerves are weak. At
the end of the cliff we descended a
long ladder, clambered over masses
of rocks made slippery by the water,
and gained the Natural Bridge,
which is narrow path or ledge a.
round n projecting rock, bridging the
river. The path is only about eigh-
teen inches wide, aud false step
would preciptaie the explorer thirty
feet he low into the Styx. Such is
the caution Of the guides, however,
aud the sense Of security which even
the most iImld feel, that no accident
has ever happened. Five minutes
more of the toughest and most slip
perry scrambling brought us to the
banks Of the I.ethe River, where we
found the rest Of the party.
The river had risen since the pre-
vious day and was at The mos, incon-
venient stage possible. A part Of
the River Walk was ovetfowed, YET
not deep enough TO float the boats.
Mat waded put aud turned the craft,
winch was moorcd to a projecting
rock, as near to us as the water would
allow, after which he and Stephen
carried us one by one upon their
shoulders aud deposited us in il. 1t
was rude, square scOw, well plas-
tered with river mud. Boards were
laid across for the ladies', the rest of
US toDk our seats on the muddy gun
wales, the guides Piled their paddles,
aud We Were ahoat on l.ethe. One
hundred feet above our heads hung
the vaulted rock half way down
there ran regular cG-nice, arched
on the under side and with Jagged
edge. showing that there had former
ly been two grand corridors, placed
vertically, which some commissions
had broken into one. Either end of
this mighty hall was lost in the dark
ness, but the sound OF our voices
rose 10 the root aud reverberated A.
long ii until they seemed like the
voices OF unseen beings speaking
back 10 US out of the distance. The
water has steady temperature Of
81 it is clear, apparently of a
pale green color, aud pleasant to the
taste. 1t had a very percep'ible cur
rent. aud flowed in a diagonal course
across The line OF our march, or as
nearly as | could estimate in the di-
reciion of Green River.
After a ferrIage Of about a hun
drcd yards we landed on bank OF
soft mud beside small arm of the
river, which had OVERLOOKED the usu-
al path. We sank 10 our ANGLES in
The most. tenacious soil, houndering
labonously along until we were
brought Ia a half by Echo River, the
third and last stream. This again is
| divided INTO three or four arms
/ which, mcandering away under low
o'"ires finally unite. At present, ow.
/ ing 10 tiO h'=f, -atuf, mere IS Dul
one arch opeu, so tina, instead Of the
usual single voyage of ihree-quarler,
OF mile, we were obliged to make
several shor, ferriages. Twice again
were the guides obliged TO carry us
on their shoulders through the shall
lows. and once we succeeded in pas
sing dong a narrow ledge of rock
overlnnging deep pool, only by
using Stephens foot as stepping
stone. After crossing the second
branch of Echo River we found onr.
selves at the foot Of steep hill Of
loose sand, beyond which we could
see masses of rock piled up almost
to the ceiling OF the lofty hall. Thr
was the commencement of purgalo
~, portion of which domain We
wer, obliged to traverse on account
Of The difficulty Of getting through
wha is called The second Arch.
Stephen here entered the boat a
lone, lay down on his back in III,
botnm, shot under a low projecting
rock, and was soon lost 10 our sight
Under the guidance of Mat we elm
bed The sand-hills, mounted III,
loosely-pilej rocks, and after shor
purgalorial experience descended a
gain To "A low arch opening on thu
last branch of Echo River. AS ",
stood on The wet rocks, peering dowr
into the black iranslucence of the ST
lent, mysterious water, soUnds-hrs
distant, then near, then distant agalr
stole To us from under the grolneC
vaults of rock. First, the dip OF ma
ny oars; then dull, muffled penl
rumbllng away like the echoes o
thunder; then voice marvelousl,
sweet, but presently joined by other
sweerer still, taking up the dyins
notes ere they faded into silence
and prolonging them through reno
ter chambers. The full, mellow
strains rose until they seemed suns
at our very ears, then relapsed like
ebbIng waves, 10 wander off into sol
iiary halls, then approached again
and receded, like lost spirits seeaine
4 here and there an outlet from III,
world Of darkness. Or was il a cho
| rus of angels come on some errant
of pity and mercy 10 visit the Sly
gian shores As the heavenly har
monies thickened, we saw CLEAN OF
the water, aud presently a clear lish
floating above lis mirrored counter
felt swept into sight. II was no an
gel, but Stephen, whose single yoIc'
had been multiplied into that Ell
chanting chorus.
The whole party embarked in tw'
I .....u 49,. o.l .f,a. m l.,t .rn.,.n.