Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1860-09-21

blC tlDOI Vi blC Nduil1 Siliu Dtllti'i dii !
found myself alone in this subtcrranean
region, without any means of escape
Keeping my eyes fixed on the ray Of pale
light thrown before me by the lamp,1 tray
clsed, with "A sad hcait, the long, narrow
passages witicl, formed the first part of my
Journey, until | found myself i'll Il cavern
Of considerable size. The sides of this
cave were of solid rock upon the dark
ground of which grotesqne shapes were
figured out by the sparkling stalactites
and stalagmites; while, upon the damp
floor, ,bramblcs interwoYc themselves amGng
the windings of the rock, around the moss
covered stems Of which horned vipers were
winding their gray coils, white swarms Of
other reptiles twisted and twncl along
the ground From this cavern | at first
saw no door of exit, and was i'll hopes that
my task was nearly finished, when, sud-
denly, an immense stone detached itself
noisecssly from the rocky wall opening a
new passage before me, and closing after
me when had passed through.
The passage into wllicl, | now entered
was built in masonry, oflargc cut stones.
Proceeding onmy course, passed through
several other glllcrics--somc Of which
were so low that couidnot get through
them without stooping-on either side OF
which [ saw the doors Of dungeons deeply
imbedded in the thick walls At length
| entered a large hail. which appeared to
bc the centre Of the flightfuInet-work tray-
crsed by NE, and the sepulchcr of the
wretched strangers condemned to perish
of hunger i'll these caycrnS; for the ground
was covered with human skeletons and
skulls, strcwcd upon deposite of bones
reduced to dust, indicating many genera
tions OF victims A charnel house odor
pervaded this vault, through which the air
yibratel with dull, moaning sound. [
experienced an oppressive sense Of sadness
as regarded these miserable human rel.
ic~--a sadness which bears testimony to
the sympathy that unites man to man, for
il ARISES from our share in the suffcrings
of those who have died before us
Ilastening to leave this abode of hor-
ror | walked rapidly to the further end,
where, however, could 1hd no trace ol
door, although L tried the wall everywhere
with the hlt Of my sclmltar. L decided,
therefore, to retrare my steps through
the dismal chanel-houss ami regain the
gallery b which had entercd,but on ar
irving there | found the entrance closet
by door barred with iron, and solid As
the rock.
Th"n frightfal idea occurred to me.
| suspected that the Nagib and his conn-
sellefS, either from being dissatisfied with
my replies to their questions, or from
some other reason, had lett me to die IN
thl> charncl-honse where se many wretch
ed mortals had already ended their eays.
Already | tanclcd myself moidefing away
among thcSe horriablc skeletons, and, fall
'n@ on my knees, | was about comm ndin5
myself to Heaven, when door, which /
had not hitherto observed, owing to It's be-
inc Of the same color OF the rock. opened
before me. This door which was near the
one by which had entered the dungeon,
led me to the foot OF 4 ricilety staircase,
the steps Of which rtotterci beneath my feet
Entering by those into other low winding
galeric, similar to those through which
| had already passed, ! found on every
,ide=thesame traces OF cruel barbarity ::
llult,on} built iatJ the ma 'onry Of the
wall; spulchcr, so deep down that tn