The Shasta courier., 1866-01-27
Sin ngular Discovery.


weeks on a prospecting expedition. They
cannot rive very clear statement as to the
route they have Travelled. We could only
understand that they had been a great way
west and south had seen much snow, many
deer. bear and other game, and had found
what they believe good diggings, in deep
CANYON. the waters of which run towards the
west. They also report the discovery Of
fabulously rich quartz, specimens OF which
they showed us, which it. as they say, is the
AVERAGE Of the lode. man could make from
one to two ounces per day With hand NOR
tar. without working very hard either. This
latter discovery they are not inclined to be
very communicative about. They say our
name is not on the notice, but that we are
all right. Bully for them.
As to the placer diggings in question, they
say they are willing to show their locality to
any one who will accompany them in the
spring. They think they can strike the
digcings in three or four days travel after
the SHOWS have melted from the mountain
tops. where it is now some twenty feet deep
The singular discovery, though, is vast
cave. the mouth of which is in the canyon
referred to. Seeing an opening in the noun
tain side, they entered it for shelter from the
pelting storm, taking with them their ami
mails. As night was close at hand, they
contented themselves with lighting fire,
cooking their supper, and rolling themselves
in their blankets for the night In the morn
ing. the storm still continuing, they con
cluded to explore the apparently vast cavity
in mother earth into which they had found
entrance. As light was necessary, they
looked around for something that would af-
ford light. Fortune favored them in this
regard Near the entrance was lying q
large pitch pine tree, from which they soon
obtained splinters sufficient for their purpose.
Making a torch of goodly size, they started,
following what appeared to be a tolerably
well worn trail, for something over half an
hour, without discovering anything unusual,
more than at the start. At times the roof Of
the cave was visible at other times not
Sometimes they could see both sides Of the
cave. at others only one. There was nothing
unusual under foot-nothing that was calcu-
lated to attract more than ordinary attention.
That animals of various kinds were in the
habit of passing to and fro over the trail they
had followed was beyond question; but
where they went to when pursuing the di.
rection the explorers had travelled, they were
unable at that time to determine. They now
getting short of material for 4 light, were
compelled to return and make preparations
on a larger scale.
Arrived back at the point from which they
had started, they determined to pack a small
mule they had with them with blankets, a
little provisions, and great deal of pitch
pine and fully arming themselves, again
start. Thus equipped, they resumed their
search more leisurely and with renewed
confidence, and were soon beyond the point
of their former exploration, and at least a
mile on their subterranean travels.
Close examination of the trail they were on
satisfied them that the place had been trav-
eled by Indians, and hence they came to the
conclusion that there might be an outlet
somewhere in advance of them. Soon their
progress became more difficult. the passage
narrowing in some places SO as to make it
difficult to squeeze the little mule through,
and then it would open out on scale so
grand that their lights failed to reveal any
thing but walls of darkness. As yet no hv-
ing thing h I'd presented itself to disturb the
monotony of the darkness, and the poor fell
lows began to think that they might be on
the route to the lower regions. Soon, how
ever, on turning an angle in the trail, a
glimpse Of daylight was had, and after a few
minutes scene burst upon them such as to
strike with wonder and awe the beholders
Even the mule manifested surprise at the
scene presented.
They stood on the bank Of a subterranean
stre9m Of great volume and rapidity of cur
rent, as wide as the Sacramento at Waugh's
Ferry-or about two hundred feet-and of
great depth apparently. The bank on their
side was sloping, and covered with rank
growth Of rushes and coarse bunch grass
The scene was lighted by an aperture in the
mountain overhead seemingly some hundred
feet above them, and to the eve apparently
no larger than an ordinary mining shaft
she opening at the base seemed from forty to
sixty rods-the whole presenting the appear
ance of vast funnel inverted. Living about
them was the bones of animals that had evi-
IDENTIFY been killed for food by Indians. the
indications Of old camp fires being plenty all
around. The water was pure and pleasant
to the taste. having no unusual flavor.
Finding no road to travel onward. nor boat
for internal navigation, they returned to tho
place from whence they started On their
return they examined more closely the sides
and, when they could, the top of this won.
derful opening. They found the walls Of
hard granite, occasionally of a shelly or bro.
ken character. but generally so firm as TO
cause no fear of its falling. They noticed
several quartz veins that were cut by the
vast tunnel, but saw no great indications of
,raoith ahout fhem In art thax co., ~ -