Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-08-28


and mellow light through its thin sides an
other is called the elephants ear, and so on
with large list of names taken from the
fancied resemblance the formations bear to
some familiar objects.
The stalagmites are equally interesting,
though not 80 fantastic or varied in form
They differ in size from the minute ones as
large as the fingers end, to massive ones
weighing tons. Some grave sage has said,
Perpetual dropping wears the rock,' but
here the wisdom of this sage is proved to be
utter folly; for perpetual dropping forms the
rock. But see plainly that have left our
party and am making lame work of science
aud description.
4 walk of a mile and half brought US to
narrow lake which stretched out before US
far as our feeble lights could Danish the
perfect darkness, (not over twenty feet }
Here came halt and preparation for embark
alton. We were acquainted from the classics
with s. the grim ferryman = into whose bark
all must step who wish to sail for the resting
place from cares and troubles, but found it
swartby Dutchman. However he is like the
Aforesaid gentleman, Charon, in one respect
at least, if Sophocles' description be correct.
Namely, that he took great authority in the
premises, and was loud in his directions to
passengers. This was necessary, as our
party were in rollicking humor, determined
to enjoy the Stygian ride thinking, sup
pose, as the lrishman said of a ride in the
hearse, Sc 1t comes but once in a lifetime "
The lake is very narrow in places, and the
roof so low that we were obliged to lower
our heads in passing at other places it is
broad and the roof high The ladies sang
some snatches Of an exquisite boat song as
wc were passing. which sounded strangely
sweet as the strains echoed and rec choe
=. The cayerns and rocks among" We had
before attempted to sing America, at the
request of a garralous chap present, but the
attempt was a decided failure as compared
with the boat song. This, the after guide
told me, (who was some distance behind us
in a single boat, sounded the sweetest of any
music t, which he ever listened. | have
spoken incidentally of the echo to be heard
from our voices In different parts the effect
is greatly varied everywhere a shout is
caught up and deepened, as it regerberates
through these labyrinthian passages.
In one place we obtained a very correct
counterfeit Of thunder by letting fall a large
los Of wood upon plank laid fat upon the
rocky door. The reverberations were very
like the continued roll Of distant thunder.
A ride of fity-hve rods, as the guide told
us, brought Us to the further shore. Thence
our walk was even more difficult than before.
Often we were compelled to cross the stream
over deep gorgcs upon slippery planks or
slabs, and the guide was constantly warning
US against pits without bottom and such like
dangers. We made the best Of our way
onward for a mile or more further, finding
an ever changing topography, but certain
samcness in general outline which made
further explorations rather weariscme. We
were informed that we were already between
two and halt and three miles from the
place Of entrance, aud could 20 forward as
much farther if we wished After a short
rest retreat was sounded and a brisk walk
soon brought us to our boat.
In a short time we found ourselves again
IN the hithcr side Of this New York Aehcron
| begged the honor Of guiding our party out,
and did SO, while His Majesty, the Dutch
man, brought up the rear, and looked for
straSslers- The appearance OF our party as
it came on through the darkness, SINGLE file,
each with lamp in hand. and clad IN those
unspeakable vestures was grotesque and weird
beyond description. As part came chasing
over elevated rocks, while others were trail
INK through a narrow valley below, now
winding about a projecting cliff or passing
midway in air one Of those precarious
bridges, it brought to mind those weird lines
ot Holland
Cd The troopme plsujoln- that come and 60
In the sky above and the waves below"
soon the light Of day greeted our eyes,
ana with joyous shouts we hailed it, bidding
adicu, for a time, to the tenebrious shades of
the world below.
Then came brief hunt for fossils hur-
ried rciuvcstiture and preparation for a train
much behind time, hasty farewells, and we
parted, agreeing that this had been one of
the pleasantest days our vacations had ever
brought Us VAroR