The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-02-27
Our @lio.
Correspondence Of Ae DalJvy Neies.
Astartling Discovery in South America

NEw BEDFORD, Mass, Jan. 10, 1875.
One Of the most singular spots in all
geography is a rock bound bay recently
discovered on the western coast Of South
America Ii lies behind two mountains
where the sea dasbes its tremendous col
umns against the rocks. Few sailors would
dream of approaching such dangerous
locality. In fact, it has always been CON
sidered absolutely inaccessible either by
land or sea until the late adventures Of
Capt. King, who was formerly of Norwalk,
Conn.
He was returning from the North Pacific
with a cargo Of sperm oil and walrus skins,
when a terrible storm struck his ship,
1900 miles northwest of the Straits of
Magellan. For three days and nights the
sea was dashed in foam. The wind in its
madness swept away the masts and canvas,
and drove the ship helpless before it. In
their wild desperation the crew threw
overheard five hundred casks of oil, which
lightened the vessel and soothed the wa.
tiers. This probably kept them from go
ing to the bottom. On the morning of
the fifth day line of precipitous rocks
doomed up directly before thOm, and des.
truetion seemed inevitable. The ghastly
whiteness Of the foam, the roar Of the sea,
aud the appalling spectacle at the foot of
the rocks, utterly paralyzed the crew
Swiftly and unerringly the ship sped on,
but at the moment Of supreme despair an
opening appeared in the cliffs. Into the
mouth CT this hungry canyon the wreck
was driven with the speed of the wind.
For few minutes nothing could be seen
but darkness, and nothing heard but the
thunder of the sea. Suddenly the hulk
shot into quiet waters, and vision of
brightness broke on the bewildered mari
ners.
All around them, tremendous heights
arose, breaking into lofty spires. They
were in mighty amphitheatre, and the
only outlet was through the chasm they
had entered. Strange to say, the walls of
this sea-chamber were of creamy white,
and the pinnacles were like alabaster.
They were so high that the sky seemed to
rest on them like dome of pearl. Capt.
King says that no mortal man could des-
cribe the grandeur of that scene. From
ten o'clock in the morning until three in
the afternoon the sun filed the place with
its splendor. The water was frightfully
deep, but so transparent that the vessel
appeared to be floating in mid-air. Far
down In the depths were curious forma-
tons, and shadowy columns of coral, and
trees with all kinds of strange fishes play
ing among their branches.
The moon happened to be full, and
when it reached the tops of the cliffs so as
to illumine the water, hundreds of these
fishes came to the surface, and some Of
them sang few notes in a minor key.
This may seem fabulous, but there are
standard works on pisciculture in the Astor
Library that cite the best authorities on
this subject, and they affirm that fishes
do sing in the tropics. The old Greek
and Roman historians give minute accounts
Of experiments with different kinds of
fishes, and they not only prove that they
sing, but that they whistle on nights when
the moon j. full, After few days Of
rest, Capt. King and crew took small
boat and set out to explore the farther
shore of this enchanting bay
After rowing rapidly for an hour they
came to place where the walls receded,
leaving strip of land covered with trees
of peculiar color. Suddenly, in round
ing point, they came on a small, antique
vessel in full sail. Their amazement was
complete, Had they found city their
surprise could not have been greater,
Approaching, they sang out, Proloug-
cd and fantastic echoes were the only
reply. Then they boarded her. Ghostly
looking sailors were seen, but they neither
moved nor spoke. The man at the helm
looked vacantly into the air. Awe-struck
and trembling, Capt, King raised his hand
to the pilots face. 1t was cold. II was
stoue His garments were stone. The
Captain struck the deck with his heel. 1t
was Ike adamant, Then the truth flashed
upon him. The ship was petrifed; indeed
the salls and the flags were films of frosted
stone. As the matches were open, the
sailors entered. They entered cavern, a
sepulcher, tomb The floor, the ceiling,
the decorations, the carpets, and the laces
of the commanders cabin were also stone.
Even the iron and brass work was covered
with transparent coating Of silicate,
Magnificent looking men, clad in the gar
ments of the fifteenth century, were found
In various parts Of the ship.
In an apartment more elegant than the
others, was a young woman, and although
marble mummy, her beauty was enough
to melt the heart Of Socrates, The rough
sailors uncovered their heads and stood in
silent alteration before her, The vessels
papers were found, but could not be open
ed. Enough, however, was disclosed to
show that the ship belonged to one Of the
early Spanish fleets. Her name was 1.-THE
Eldorado." The crew had como to the
new world in search Of gold. They evil
IDENTITY had entered the bay In fair weather,
for the sails we're set, and the pilot was at
the wheel An atmosphere of drowsiuess
had settled on them, aud by some phenom-