Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-10-06
al istelloneous
For the Buglc.
a ROMANCE OF THE MAMMOTH CAVE
REMARKS TO SCHOOL GIRLS.

Hervey had induced Zilpa, as you are informed
to decenI with him into the cave through the open
ing he had discovered where the house fell in, that
10y this means they might effectually conceal
themselves until the first flashes of his fathers
anger should have time to subsidc, he proposed
then to come and throw themselves at his feet,
trusting to his paternal feelings to receive them as
his aHectionate children, Going to the mouth Of
the cave would be to expose themselves to observa-
ton as there were many persons assembled there
daily at the great hotel lately established there
lie edectually concealed from Hilpa the difficulties
Of descent, especially the ladder of ropes he had
constructed. fearing she would be too much intim-
iiated, he encouraged her to think their passage
down would be such as she would accomplish
without danger. lie led her down the abrupt de-
oliyity to the opening he had concealed, by throw
ing some rubbish quite over il, she stood while
Ilervey cleared the entrance and lighted his lantern
for he had provided a lantern, matches, and a box
of tapers, when he took her to lead her down into
the vault below, which was to be to them a tempo
rary dwelling, he felt that she shook with a slight
tremor, which made his stout heart quail for a mo-
ment, and he thought Of Telmachu's descent into
the Internal regions, Influenced by love to his IA
Their, while he was descending into unknown sub
terranea fro fear Of his father. lie had in pre-
parations clambered down upon the rude protu-
bcrances until he found that the wall projected over
the pavement below and he could proceed no far
Their; hero he fastened his rope ladder until he felt
sure it would hold at the upper end; but the low
er end must swing. This looked hazardous, but
he ventured down; when his hands were clinchcd
20 tL,o 1,u,o, -orn1 IF tho 1,dInr hia foot collh mot
touch the door of the cavern, but letting go his
hold from his dangling position, his feet struck the
floor, and he fell forward upon his knees. Recoy-
ering sseen from the slight shock, he lcaped up and
canakt ib4send Of the ladder, aud with some diff
Ss3is Pa9l@ himself UP. When he emerged from
tRe1k6aSAhd stood once more upon the world, he
lo5kedsdown into an abyss of doubt, but his doubts
did not resolve themselves into despair. He took
breath a little and descended a second time with
u. The same success. lie repeated the experiment
again and again, but every time when he reached
the lower end of the ladder and let 60, an his
feet struck the bottom lie was preeipitated forward
upon his knees. lie was compelled to tell Zilpa
shat he must descend FIRST, and would be ready to
receive her iR his arms at the bottom of the lad
der, which he now explained to her, and assuring
her there was no danger, no went on before her.
Zilpa had a courageous heart, and having decided
on the measure, no difficulty could intimidate her
When his arrival at the bottom was announced tc
her by the report of his contact with the pave
mont, qhe proceeded cautiously, yet firmly. Uervey't
heart trembled. lie feared to speak, even a word
of encouragement, lest the reverberation of his
voice shomld terrify her, he held up the light, and
when she came to the last round of the ladder, her
delicate hands, her only support, her feet far from
the solid rock beneath, he said, 'Zilpa don't fear,
let 60 your hold, l will catch you" ZilpA know
ing she had no other alternative, with great diff
Guilty she retained her hold, the skin being
twisted from her hands already, she let go. Her
vey stood with his arms extended to receive thC
precious burden, but her weight coming in eontac
with his body, suddenly precipitated him to tn
foor, she fell a few inches from him, her heat
struck the stone floor. No groan escaped her, bu
she lay seRseless in the dark cavern. The lanter
had been jostled from IIervey's hand and all wa
darkness.
Hervey lay for a moment unable to rise, bein
severely stunned, but when he did stand upon he
feet and look around, horror filed every avenue 0
his heart. Zilpa showed no signs of life or motion
ne rubbed her hands, he chafed her temples, h
called upon her name, but no response, no motto
did she make. Lighting a match. he by tie gin
mer found his lantern, some yards distant, but tn
light which he held tremblingiy over her face di
not allay his fears. & deathly paleness sat upo
her features. lie raised her head and laid it upo
his breast, then calculated a prayer that was fs
vent and heartfelt, that she might be restored, an
that he m ght not have to regard himself as hs
murderer. The heart viii turn itself to God
prayer by natural instinct, as a child will clnl
to an earthly parent vixen besetby danger, troi
which fact the strongest proof is adduced Of OF
Immortality and divine origin. OH that J. had
cup of water, exclaimed Hervey; then he felt con
peeled to resign her again to the cold rock, an
drawing a silver cup from his, pocket, which
had the precaution to take with him, went in scare
,of water. Eut where wGs water to be found
these darksome' abodesl She might die Their
alone, before he could return; for a momsnt !
Gathered, then urged his way with the utmc
speed.
go his great delish he heard the gugling of W
ter. IN a moment he dipped lis cup into Il
etream, but Oh it might be noxious; with palE
stating heart he raised it ts his lips; it wae swee
he bounded forward and bore it to his loved on
still more like dead then living. Again he rais'
der up, poured water in his hand and pressed
TO her head, then held the cup TO her lips,
thought they moved, he poured a few Erops in
her mouth, she gave q gasp, end soon show,
signs Of returning life. 1t was a ! moment of de-
excitement4o uervey, deeper than be had ever /
fore kncwn.
Soon zilpa set up while nervey went for I
&havls, that he had packed away against time
aeed. He made e bed. lie lifted her from t
'etone foor and gently laid her on the folded shaw
She closed her eyes egain, and he trembled, fei
ang she had closed them forever. The cir of t
cave was genial, and he was not without hope.
SHE seemed to sleep. Hervey poured cut oriso
ITO thet ,eGr, that never SAUNDERS nor sleeps.