The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-05-12
A Day and Part OF a Night in Mann
moth Cave.

A Day and Part OF Night in Mann
moth Cave.
Ever since child | have bad desire
to visit mammoth Cave. l knew it was
some where in Kentucky, but that was
all knew about it. Having occasion to
visit in its neighborhood one summer
during the war, joined small party
who were going, delighted to think |
should see this great wonder at last.
Leaving the Louisville and Nashville
Railroads at Cave City, we found we must
ride twelve miles in stage.coach before
reaching the Cave The road was very
stony and rough, and the sun very hot
that August afternoon, and We were glad
when the coach drew up in front of MAN.
moth Cave" hotel. The sun was lust
sinking in the west, and the welcome cool.
ness Of the evening, together with a good
supper, put US in good spirits again.
After our repast, we Immediately com.
mcnced making preparations for entering
the Cave, as we found that visitors onter.
ed day or night.
Donniug the cave costume, which
consists OF blue flannel sack and skirt
calf.skin shoes, ami vail or scarf tied
around the head, and taking the little
lamp suspended by circular handle, we
started eagerly forward. The road to.
ward the cave was like any other road !;
on either hand lay farms aud orchards
which the guide said were over the cave,
as was the hotel itself, In few mo.
ments we come to descent, and stepping
down, stood looking into great dark hole
in that hillside, over which vines and
bushes were dropping
Then for the first time halted aud be.
gan to consider whether | wanted to en-.
ter such dark place with strange
guide, and spoke to my companions with
fear in my face, about it.
They only laughed at me, and not lik 4.
ing to appear coward!y gathered courage
and followed.
We first entered the "Narrows" a long
narrow road, which possesses little OF in.
terest, and which opens into large space,
called the chapel from rock which re.
sembles pulpit, and lies directly under
the dinging room of the hotel. Close by
the Giants Coffin a large rock bearing
strongc resemblance TO 4 cofiinwe descend.
ed Giants Causeway' and found ourselves
in lower story.
Making our way over rocks we entered
tho Bridal Chamber 30 called rom the
fact that two young PEOPLE were married
there once upon time, the reason for it
being that the bride had promised her
parents that she would never marry the
man on the top Of the earth :, A beau.
titul crystal lake close by, came near be.
ing walked into, so deceived were we
with its transparency.
| Going from here sometimes climbing
rocks and ladders, sometimes crouching
low to creep under the rocks we reached
the Star Chamber about midnight.
Here our guide took our lanterns and
disappeared down causeway, and VIC
were eft alone in the depths of Mammoth
Cave, at that solemn hour, three and q
half miller from its mouth
We could here our hearts beat in the
awful silence. and most heartily did We
wish our guide to return. Soon faint
light appeared, which had the effect oil
making the ceiling look like the starry
tirmament. with Its consultations and
we even ianced We saw comet. After
ward We learned that the illusion wa.
caused by the light thrown from the Ian
terms
From this point We retraced our steps
reaching our hotel about one o'clock il
the morning, having completed what i.
called the short route
Next morning, bright and early W,
were ready for the long route ten mile
under ground.
Our guide carried large basket o
lunch, and supply of oil for our lamps
We travered the same road till we cam,
to the giants coffin, as we did the nigh
before, and then began new discoveries
Every moment an exclamation of suppris,
and delight would burst from the lips o
some member Of the party. Here an i'm
mensc hollow dome, hundred feet high
there deep, deep pit.
shall remember the Bottomless Pit
for the guide throwed paper of lightet
PHOSPHORUS into it, and We pressed owe
the edges and saw the light lying on th
ground at the bottom Of the pit Beau
tful pillars of alabaster, formed by stalac
, ttes and stalagmites meeting, stood lik
silent sentinels, here and there. Some
> times circular space would be enclose,
! By then.
The well ofSt. Keene' is a spring o
) pure limpid running water, artisticall
| surrounded by network OF stalagmites
formed by the water above drippin
, through the limestone rocks. How lon
, these forces of water, limestone, grayita
ton, and time had been two work, n
: living being knows. None but Natur
r and her God have watched the worl
r adown the ages past,
At noon we rested in Snow Ball Cham
, ber, for our dinner The ceiling locke
as if snow balls thrown against it ha
turned to marble. We spread our dinner
| out upon broad fat stone, and partoo
: with relish of the sundry good thing
furnished by mine host We judge
l from seeing empty bottles etc.. scattere
r about, that this was the general dinin
q room for visitors, After dining and re
: filing our lamps, We again took up ou
line Of march. Passing trough Wash
ington's Cabinet and Sillimon's Avenue