Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-08-16

4
census avsrns," sang Virgil-but de-
/ sczuding to the Cave Of the Winds by
100 steps, is no light task to an old
man; and the ascent is still more lsbo-
rious. At the foot Of the stairs, or shaft,
we proceed around to the right until We
come to the Tent of the Hermit Of the
Cave, and stand almost at the foot Of
the central fall, beneath which is the
Cave of the Winds This isaa grand
sight, and few who desire " to do Mag
ara will fail to pass its trying ordeal
The old guide furnishes rs with 8
wooden suit, over which some place q
suit of oiEcloth, bat in pleasant wes-
Their we prefer the grand shower bath,
furnished gratuitously, and eschsW the
oil-cloths. Descending short fight Of
wooden steps, you reach a plank walk,
with ratings, and with some misgivings,
led by trusty guide. sen
The beautiful sheet of water dsshes
over the precipice, enc hundred and
thirty feet above, and in its fall is
changed to spray, large volumes Of
which are driven BY the wind back into
the cave, drenching us at the first dash
as completely as if We had bsen dipped
in the river. If the wind is strong, the
first dash almost takes away the breath,
bat we are led forward, the guide direct
ing and encouraging, and the trial is
quickly over. w 4sg
| Magnificent circulaE rainbows are
here to be seen, beautiful in the ex-
treme. Winding in and out, now de-
scending and again ascending, we make
our way ont on the masses Of great
rocks below, and finally out to a huge
rock on which is a chair, in which the
tired traveller can rest aud gaze with
awe and rapture on the scene around.
30 This rock and chair-not rocking.
charts out on the very brink Of the
rivers very outpost Iu'front Of you
the beautiful central falllone hundred
feet wide, pours over the rock, one hun
bred and forty or one hundred and fffy
feet above. looking as if itswere pouring
from the very sky itself To. your left
is the American Fall, ponring hssdleng
and INCREASINGLY down two great pine
logs lodged on the very brow, crossed
like two swords, and hanging over as i
waiting for the slightest aid 10 preeipi
tate themselves into the boiling, seeth
ing gulf below. To your right, and il
full view, is the great Horse Shoe Fall
its dark, deep, green waters laundering
over the towering cliffs with deep per
petual roar; while away above the beet
ling rsmparts of Goat Island, Terrapir
Tower stands as solitary auditor t.
this grand concert of falling waters
Between us and the great falls at thu
water edge, opposite the stair case, q
life boat lies, with trusty oarsmaE
ready TO carry the adventurous traveller
to the very foot of the Horse Shoe falls
an adventure we preferred to see per
formed by others. boiler s7sv t.a
Slowly the boat is pulled away up un
til it almost enters the dgnse spray wher
caught in Whirlpool it's rapidly whirI
ed quitely around--bnt the experience,
oatsman, at the proper moment, dips hi
oars and shoots out of the circle and 4
carried rapidly down the stream, riding
the pillows, which are sometimes high
and makes his way back to the starting
point. a.. i. -..s 80 60.
Rested now and thoroughly shower
bathed BY the ever falling spray, vi
cautiously make our way back through
the Cave of Winds, rather enjoying the
dash Of water and spray on the return
and at the tent Of the patriarchial guido
where we lay aside the dripping aanneli
and rubbing of wen with dry towels
clothe ourself, feeling glorious, si
We could have passed beyond the
Stair Case under the eyerhanging rocks
to the point of Goat Island, at the foot
Of the Horse Shoe falls, but as some
serious accidents have happened on the
path, we choose not to draw too closely
on our policy against accidents, for
which consideration We hope our friend
DR.. Hallock, win be duly grateful.
Ascending the shaft, we proceed along
the edge of the island down 10 the point
at the Central Fan, from which we have
another fair view Of the American fall.
Then we cross at the Central Fall By a
bridge 100 feet long, onto Luna Island,
and proceed to the point at the edge Of
the American Fall. -,---
| This is adelightfals stand point, the
waters rush right at our feet, for there
is no bank to the rivers. nc, tide, no ris-
ings except after strong wind down the
lake, and dash over the jagged rocks
4 Asths sun now and then unveils its
face, magnificent rainbovs are formed
on the green waters Of tie river beneath.
While gazinRhere withnnspeakable de-
light oEsthisE sublime spectacle, looking
| suddenly over our shoulder, we saw a
shoulder strap ornamen With three gol-
den sssrGo We tnrned suddenly and had
the pleasure Of shaking hands with the
7 greatest Captain Of the world, Lieuteu-
ant General o. s. Grant, who, with his
family and attended only By Colonel
Parker, was making the rounds. ofsGoat
Island 81 rsr4saaTrl BIC ssz4kic-ra
II 1s-f teE1L.s SEA V-1sE1s9 baz sss
Bat few parsons were present, and we
had an excellent opportunity Of eoutem-
/ plating this truly great man, and of re-
neEing our acquaintance with bis very
excellent wife and interesting children