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


The Main Cave is terminated abruptly by
rocks that have fallen from above. Il must
not, however, be supposed that this is the
end fit, for there can be not doubt that it
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 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 distance from the mouth Of
the Cave 10 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 at which
the water left the Main Cave 10 reach Echo
River, after it had ceased to flow ont of the
mouth of the former into Green River. In
other respects ii 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 it when it was first
discovered. The Cave itselfis the shape OIL
an inverted wooden bowl.
Black-Snake Avenue, which enters the Main
Cave near the stone cottages, communicates
with Wooden Bowl Cave. 1t receives it,
name from its serpentine course, and black
walls.
Martha's Palace is entered by passing 4
steep deelivity and pair of steps, called thu
Sleeps of Time. The Palace is about forty
feet in height and sixty in diameter 1t |,
not particularly attractive.
short distance beyond Martha's Palace
is spring of clear, potable water
The Side-Saddle Pit, over which there rest'
dome sixty feet in height, is reached by
passing through what is called the Arched
Way, the walls, floor, and ceiling of which
bear yIdence that II was once the channel o.
running water. This pit is ninety feet deep
and at its widest part about twenty feet across
Minerva's Dome is situated about twenty
feet to the left of the Side-Saddle Pit. 1t i
fifty feet in height and ten in width II is
miniature representation of Gorin's Dome
The Dome and Pit have been cut out of tn,
solid rock by the solvent action of water con
tanning carbonic acid in solution. They NJ,
still enlarging.
The aperture leading TO the Pit presents
the outlines Of side saddle, hence the name
The Bottomless Pit, paradoxical as thu
statement may appear, is but one hundred
and seventy-fye feet deep. Its width varie
from fifteen to twenty feet substantial
wooden bridge, termed the Bridge of Signs, i
thrown across it, from which il may be We've,
in safety.
Shelby's Dome, which is sixty feet in hight
rests directly over the Bottomless Pit. In
Pit and Dome have been formed, and ar,
still enlarging by the same causes that ex
cayated the Side.Saddle Pit.
On leaving the Bottomless Pit, room i
entered, which is about twenty feet in high
and forty in diameter. Here it is the custom
of visitors to rest for short time, and discus
the terrors of the Pit. This is general
followed by the bringing forth of the potables
when the health and safety Of all parties ar
duly swallowed.
After passing through low archway
about four feet in hight, termed the Valley Z
Humility, the ceiling Of which is smooth an
white, and appears as though it had bee
plastered, the Scotchman's Trap is entered
The Trap is circular opening, through whic
it's necessary to descend, about five feet i
diameter, over which is suspended hing
rock, which, if it were to fall, would CON
pletely close the avenue leading to Ech
River. If, however, this opening were t
close, there are three ways by which an escap
might be effected. Thus: there is an avenu
beyond 1t, which enters the bottom of tn
Bottomless Pit, from which person might b
drawn by means Of ropes another means
escape would be by Bunyan's Way, whie
leads into Pensacola Avenue and third
Sparks Avenue and Mammoth Dome.
A short distance beyond the Seotchman
Trap, In what Is termed the Lower Brunei
there occurs curiously shaped rock, name
the Shanghai Chicken, from its fancied resen
blance to that animal.
Fat Mans Misery is narrow, tortuor
avenue, fifty yards in length, which has bee
cut out of the solid rock by the mechanic.
action of the water. The low part of ii
avenue varies in width from foot and ha
to three feet, and the upper part from four /
ten feet. In hight it varies from four to eigl
feet.
Contrary to the general impression, ther
never was man too large TO pass throug
Fat Mans Misery.
Great Relief, which is entered on leavin
Fat Man $ Misery, varies in width from fort
to sixty feet, and in hight from five to tweni
feet. From the ceiling, immense nodules
ferruginous limestone project.
On the floor of Great Relief, the directio
Of the current of water that filed thes
avenues can be traced. Thus, at the sid
next Fat Mans Misery, it is strewn wit
gravel, near the center sand occurs, and sti
further on mud is deposited; demonstratin
the fact that it flowed into Echo River.
The avenue termed Bunyan's Way, passe
directly over Great Relief, and enters il
short distance from Fat Mans Misery, b
which communication is established wit
Pensacola Avenue.
River Hall extends from Great Relief 1
the River Styx. 1t varies in width from fort
to sixty feet.
The Bacon Chamber is situated to the rigi
of River Hall. II receives its name from III
fact that small masses of rock project frol
the ceiling, which in size and appearance
resemble bacon hams. They were formed b
the solvent action Of water charged with car
bonic acid, when the lower portion of ther
rested against stratum Of rock which ha
since been detached.
The avenue which leads to the Mammot
Dome and Sparks Avenue, takes its origin
the Bacon Chamber.
About forty feet below the terrace whic
leads to the Natural Bridge, is a collection {
water, fifteen feet deep, twenty wide, and fft
feet in length, termed the Dead Sea. Ii !
quite as gloomy in appearance as its celebrate
namesake.
When the Cave was first discovered. tn
Dead Sea was passed on the terrace over il
left bank, which, however, was attended wit
great danger.
The River Styx is one hundred and fif,
yards long, from fifteen to forty in width, an
in depth varies from thirty to forty feet. |
has subterranean communication with othe
rivers of the Cave, and when Green Rive
rises to considerable hight, has an ope,
communication with all Of them.
The Natural Bridge spans the River Styx
and is about thirty feet above it. When tn
far bank Of the River Styx is Illuminated wit
a Bengal Light, the view from the Nature
Bridge is awfully sublime.
Lake Lethe is one hundred and fifty ward
long, from ten to forty feet wide, and in dept
varies from three to thirty feet. The ceilin
Of the avenue at this point is ninety feet abov
the surtace of the Lake. Lake I.ethe extend
in the direction of the avenue, the floor q
which is covered by it. Visitors in taking tn
Long Route, cross il in boats.
The Great Walk extends from Lake Leth
to Echo River, distance Of five hundre
yards. The ceiling is forty feet high, and tn
rocks which compose it, present a strikin
resemblance to cumulous clouds. They ar
composed of white limestone. The floor
covered with yellow sand
A rise of FIVE feet water in Echo Rive
oyeriiows Great Walk, and gives a depth {
water sufficient TO allow the boats 10 mass frot