The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-05-21
NEAR INDIAN CAMP SPRING,
Wednesday, March 10. 1869.

Mr.. rsely:-Having large cave with
in short distance of my house-and it
having excited the curiosity of my two
little boys, aged respectively eleven and
thirteen years, they ventured this morning
to explore its hidden wonders. With tor
ches in hand they proceeded to the distance
of about one hundred yards from the en-
trance, when they were terribly startled by
the appearance of monster frog, as large
as a hogshead, as they said, when they
came running up to my house. Having
seen SO much in imagination, when young,
and possessing considerable degree of Gu
riosity, was determined to see for myself
what it was. went to the residence of
Mr.. w. d. Matthews to get assistance in ex-
ploring, and found several neighbors, J. w.
B. Thomas, Richard McCanless, Geo. Dix
on, John Due, and Solomon Porter, there,
who were eager to go right away, as their
curiosity seemed as great or greater than
mine. In short time we fixed up three
torches, procured some candles and lantern
and proceeded on our voyage of discovery.
Having arrived at the mouth of the cave,
the torches were soon lighted, but some
hesitancy seemed to be manifested by every
one as to who should go first Mr.. Thomas
led the van into the deep cavern, whose
gloominess produced a chilling melancholy
land one of the party was extremely anx.
ious that they should retrace their steps,
but the indomitable Thomas and daring
Mathews and Porter prevented, by telling
the party that we can whip out all the
frogs in creation We wendell our way
slowly to the place my sons saw the frog,
and sir, do say to you, without exaggera-
tion, that frog was not as large as when my
children saw it, but is undoubtedly the
largest specimen have ever seen or heard
of before in this or any other State. We
advanced to within about twenty feet and
halted. 1t was then sitting with its side
to us; and when all of the torches were
brought up it turned slowly around facing
us-and such hideous sight. Its eyes, as
they glistened in the torchlight, made such
an impression upon me, and in fact upon the
whole party, that we trembled as if in the
presence of real demon, for in all my i'm
| aginations of the appearance of demon,
must acknowledge, that never conceived
of anything that would be calculated to
| fill the mind with such horror as this. We
stood in the position we had first taken for
some time. Mr.. Matthews threw a small
stone towards the frog it rolled and struck
him lightly. 1t bowed or ducked its head
twice towards the ground in rapid success
sion, and leaped towards us; and if tell
you he leaped ten feet do not believe I'd
miss it six inches. AS soon as it struck the
ground an instantaneous retreat was agreed
upon. without consultation. The torches
were Thrown to the ground, and in an in
slant Egyptian darkness reigned, and a
struggle was made to regain the entrance.
The noise and excitement was intense among
the little boys who attended us, and above
the din of confusion the voice of Dick Nc
Canless could be heard: us a frog bite
poisonous2"
Mr.. Porter having some matches the can
dies were soon lighted, and with the light
came back the courage of the little boys.
an advance of few steps brought us in
sight of the monster again. A plan for its
capture was soon determined upon. Mr..
Matthews semitic his house for large goods
box, which soon after arrived. The box
was pushed by Messrs. Dixon and Due to-
wards the frog; Mr.. Matthews using the
top as shield, succeeded in getting behind
the frog, and by throwing stones at it for
some little time, made it change its posi-
ton to place near the wall. The box
was then pushed slowly up aud the frog Gov