The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-08-02

ms MAIN OaNe is terminated abruptly py |
rocks that have fallen from above. It must
not, however, be supposed that this is the
end Of it, for there can be not doubt that II |
was closed at this point in the same manner |
as Dickson's Cave was terminated, and that |
the removal Of the obstructing rock would |
open communication with a cave Of the |
same size as the one we have been attempting |
to describe.
On entering upon the Long Route, the Wis
itor leaves the Main Cave at the foot Of the
Giants Coffin, and passes into the Deserted
Chamber. The defiance from the mouth Of
the Cave TO the Melstrom, which is situated
at the end of the Long Route, is nine miles
The trip is generally accomplished in about
twelve hours.
The Deserted Chamber is the point Mt which
the water left the Main Cave to reach Echo
River, after it had ceased to flow out of the
mouth of the former into Green River In
other respects it is not Of particular interest.
The Wooden Bowl Cave is next in order.
II receives its name from the fact that wood
en- bowl, such as was used by the Indians in
early times was found in il when it was first
discovered. The Cave itself is the shape Of
an inverted wooden bowl.
Black Snake Avenue, which enters the Main
Cave near the stone cottages, communicates
with Wooden Bowl Cave. It receives its
name from its serpentine course, and black
walls.
Martha,s Palace is entered by passing u
steep declivity and pair OF steps, called the
Sleeps of Time. The Palace is about forty
feet in height and sixty in diameter. 1t is
not particularly attractive.
A short distance beyond Marthas Palace
is spring of clear, potable water.
The Side-Saddle Pit, over which there rests
n dome sixty feet in height, is reached by
| hat "a ahad
Way, the walls, floor, and ceiling Of which
bear evidence that it was once the channel of
running water. This pit is ninety feet deep,
and at its widest part about twenty feet across.
Minerals Dome is situated about twenty
feet to the left of the SideSaddle Pit. 1t is
fifty feet in height and ten in width 1t is a
miniature representation Of Gorin's Dome.
The Dome and Pit have been cut out Of the
solid rock by the solvent action Of water con
tanning carbonic acid in solution. They are
still enlargng
The aperture leading to the Pit presents
the lines of side saddle, hence the name
The Bottomless Pit, paradoxical as the
statement may appear, is but one hundred
and seyenty-6ve feet deep. Its width varies
from fifteen to twenty feet. A substantial
wooden bridge, termed the Bridge Of Signs, is
thrown across it, from which it may be viewed
in safety.
Shelby's Dome, which is sixty feet in hight,
rests directly over the Bottomless Pit. The
Pit and Dome have been formed, and are
still enlarging by the same causes that ex-
cayated the Side-Saddle Pit.
On leaving the Bottomless Pit, a room is
entered, which is about twenty feet in hight
and forty in diameter. Here it is the custom
of visitors to rest for short time, and discuss
the terrors of the Pit. This is generally
, followed by the bringing forth of the potables,
when the health and safety Of all parties are
duly swallowed.
: After passing through n low archway,
about four feet in hight, termed the Valley of
Humility, the ceiling of which is smooth and
white and appears as though it had been
. plastered, the Seotchmans Trap is entered.
7 The Trap is circular opening, through which
il is necessary to descend, about FIVE feet in
diameter, over which is suspended huge
rock, which, if it were to fall, would com
pletely close the avenue leading TO Echo
River. If, however, this opening were to
close, there are three ways by which an escape
might be effected. Thus: there is an avenue
beyond it, which enters the bottom of the
Bottomless Pit, from which person might be
!, drawn by means of ropes another means of
escape would be by Bunyan's Way, which
leads into Pensacola Avenue and a third by
Sparks Avenue and Mammoth Dome.
A short distance beyond the Scotchman's
Trap, In what Is termed the Lower Branch,
there occurs a cnriously shaped rock, named
> the Shanghai Chicken, from its fanced resem-
: blance to that animal.
Fat Mans Misery is narrow, tortuous
u avenue, fifty yards in length, which has been
, cut out of the solid rock by the mechanical
J action Of the water. The low part of the
avenue varies in width from foot and half
to three feet, and the upper part from four to
ten feet In hight it varies from four to eight
feet.
a, Contrary to the general impression, there
never was q man too large to pass through
\ Fat Mans Misery.
. Great Relief, which is entered on leaving
!. Fat Mans Misery, varies in width from forty
= to sixty feet, and in hight from FIVE to twenty
feet. From the ceiling, immense nodules of
ferruginoas limestone project
On the floor of Great Relief, the direction
u of the current of water that filed these
: avenues can be traced. Thus, at the side
!. next Fat Mans Misery, it is strewn with
gravel, near the center sand occurs, and still
!, further on mud is deposited demonstrating
u the fact that it flowed into Echo River.
The avenue termed Bunyan's Way, passes
directly over Great Relief, and enters il a
short distance from Fat Mans Misery, by
which communication is established with
Pensacola Avenue.
II River Hall extends from Great Relief to
n the River Styx. 1t varies in width from forty
u TO sixty feet.
!, The Bacon Chamber is situated to the right
, Of River Hall. 1t receives its name from the
: !. fact that small masses Of rock project from
: the ceiling, which in size and appearance
! resemble bacon hams They were formed by
the solvent action Of water charged with car
bonic acid, when the lower portion Of them
i rested against stratum Of rock which has
{, since been detached.
a The avenue which leads to the Mammoth
u Dome and Sparks Avenue, takes its origin in
the Bacon Chamber.
n About forty feet below the terrace which
i leads TO the Natural Bridge, is collection of
+ water, fifteen feet deep, twenty wide, and fifty
+ feet in length, termed the Dead Sea- 1t is
quite as gloomy in appearance as its celebrated
D.. namesake.
When the Cave was first discovered, the
: Dead Sea was passed ON the terrace over its
!, left bank, which, however, was attended with
n great danger.
The River Styx is one hundred and fifty
|, yards long, from fifteen to forty in width, and
: in depth varies from thirty to forty feet. Ii
! has a subterranean communication with other
! rivers of the Cave, and when Green River
n rises to a considerable hight, has an open
communication Win all OF them.
The Natural Bridge spans the River Styx,
+ and is about thirty feet above it, When the
far bank of the River Styx is Illuminated with
a Bengal Light, the view from the Natural
Bridge is awfully sublime.
y Lake Lethe is one hundred and fifty yards
long, from ten to forty feet wide, and in depth
$ varies from three to thirty feet. The ceiling
Of the avenue at this point is ninety feet above
: the surface of the Lake. Lake I.ethe extends
in the direction of the avenue, the floor of
which is covered by it. Visitors in taking the
Long Route, cross it in boats
!, The Great Walk extends from Lake Lethe
to Echo River, distance Of Eve hundred
yards. The ceiling is forty feet high, and the
i rocks which compose it, present striking
S resemblance to cumulous clouds. They are
composed Of white limestone. The floor is
S covered with yellow sand.
A rise Of FIVE feet water in Echo River
oyertlows Great Walk, and gives depth of
water sufficient to allow the boats to pass from
Al