Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-11-21

hcai AuhutuS wafer, anu Il must sc
where 1t is. This way, follow me-
There is no danger--I will guide yo,
back in safety"
He set forward again as he spoke
and as he carried the light / wa.
obliged to accompany him or rema'r
in darkness.
We thus went on and on, through
apretty open passage, and as we ad
vanced the sound of falling water
became more and more audible, til
at length we came in sight of a brighr
running stream, that purled along
over clear bed, and fell with a sud.
den plunge and gloomy roar, into Q
dark abyss that was awful to behold.
AS we stopped and contemplated
this wonder Of nature, with the lurid
torch lighting up the scene, 1 sud-
denly perceived what appeared to be
several. bright sparks of fire in the
stream above the fall. As the depth
OF water was but few inches, l
fixed my eye on one, descended into
the current, stopped down, picked it
up and held it to the light
"What have you found?" asked my
companion.
"What is it9'' 1 asked, handing it
to him.
Never shall l forget his wild, eager
look, as he fairly shouted:
"Gold! gold! as l live! Hurrah!
Our fortune is made!'
In a moment I was as much ex.
cited as he; and forgetting every
thing else, we both began a hurried
search along the stream for gold.---
We found it in particles--here, yon-
der, and there--sparkling like fire in
the flash OF our torch; and while we
gathered it looking eagerly among
the rocks on every side for some en-
riching vein, we INDUCED in the wild
est dreams of wealth and ambition.
Time passed unheeded, our torch
burned low, and yet we thought of
nothing but gold:
At last, coming back down the
stream toward the edge of the dark
abyss, my companion saw something
that drew him forward in nShaste. /
saw his danger and shouted:
''Have carer'
The words had not done echoing
the subterranean gloom when
there was sudden slip, the pitching
forward of human body, an ago
nizing yell, the ghastly flare of a
swiftly descending torch, and then l
was all alone in the bowels of the
earth, in the most appalling dark
ness
Men have lived through such ter
'ors, and by the mercy OF God ! am
IT'LL alive, but how l kept my senses
md found my way back to the world |
If light and life, is a mystery to me-
fhe horror and despair that followed |
he loss of my companion no lau-
,uage can portray. For a long time
was bewildered and stupefied, and
sat down there in the rayless dark
less, moaning and wringing my
lands. Then / shouted his name
many times, and begged him to an
wer me, though knew it was all in
ain. Echo alone responded an
.wful echo-that finally died out far
way in the terrific darkness.
At last l aroused myself to my
wn preservation. Fortunately had
'rought with me the means OF strik-
ng fire, and one bundle of the
ticks was still in my possession. l
ighted the last torch, cast around
ne oGe terrified glance, and hurried
way from the roaring water that
Tas singing the funeral dirge of my
ate companion.
My presence here now is proof
hat reached the outer world alive;
ut more than once / was in despair,
elieving that / had lost my way
Ifter that l had long, weary jour
ey back to Port-au Prince, and it
'as not until near the close of the
,urth day that I came in sight of
he town. Itrained good deal dur
,g that time, and after being com
letely drenched, l was often ex-
osed to the rays OF the scorching
un. The effect of this was fever,
'hich kept me on my bed for six
'eeks, during which time my life
'as more than once despaired OF;
nd it was near four months from
~ first attack, before / was fit for
usincss.
My purse having now become pret- :
: low 1 bethought me of my golden ,
ave and at once endeavored to turn {
to account. / mentioned my dis
,very to several different parties,
'lling them at the same time the sad
lie Of the loss of my companion
lost of them listened with indifer
nee, saying they did not think gold
lough could be found there to de- v
ay the expense of searching for it; e
I'd was about to give up the idea e
making money of it when I for n
Inately chanced to meet with a "
Frenchman, who asked v
e for what sum would / guide him $
the cavern, and relinqu:sh all q
aim to whatever might be found d
thin. named a sum equivalent n
five thousand dollars; and, after
,nsiderable chaffering, he offered
e four Thousand, which finally ac- v
'pted. / led the way to the grotto, 8
,nducted him to the subterraneous |,
ream-at which ] shuddered as i "
,ain beheld it-showed him the lit {