Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-01-10
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ventured into this opening to the distance
OF about ten feet. but the Intensity Of the
darkness preoludcd him from seeing his
hands befor his faco He cried out to his
companion for some burning sagebrush
which was immediately thrust into the cave,
but, strange to relate, this artificial light
would not illuminate the darkness Here
was nice pass. Grant emerged from his
subterraneau visit and consulted with his
semi-savage companion as to tho most cx.
pedient means to be employed in the emcr.
genoy; it was useless to seek for gold or
anything else 10 60 dark place where arti
ficial light proved sf 40 avail. The Iudian
then related his story Of the illumination,
which he saw in the cave the preceding
night. Although this yarn sounded rather
improbable in the ears of an intelligent
white man, yet the Indian was 80 earnest
aud sincere, to oil outward appearance, that
our hero decided to remain until the stars
camo out, and determine whether there was
any truth in his companions fabulous mar
rative. The men returned to tho camping
ground of the previous night and brought
their traps to tho mouth of the mysterious
cave. 1t seemed as if that day never
would draw to close, so great was Grants
impatience; but as twilight was approaching
slight glimmer was discernible ut the
mouth Of tho vault, yet the blackest dark.
ness mortal ever beheld was still holding
sway therein. But gradually as night was
falling, On unnatural light was making
itself apparent, and at nine o'clock that
evening ray of brilliant MONDAY ligh!
shot out from tho opening Of that wonderful
subterranean passage. For the first time
in many years Grant gave vent to shout
of delight The Indians tale of seeming
fiction and improbablity was true. The
sight was so grand, 81 wonderful, and 80
magnificent, that for few moments Grant
was rooted to tho ground by combination
of terror and admiration. After while
he and his companion entered the cave, but
the light was 30 piercing and brilliant that
for few seconds the pair could see nothing;
their vision seemed to be lost; but gradually
their eyes became accustomed to the un.
natural brillanoy of the light aud tho sight
which met their gaze no person con depict.
The walls and ceiling of this passage wore
covered with FURNISHED gold and silver,
the bulk of which comprised thousands of
tons. Grant relates that the first sight of
these treasures terrified him, but after re.
gaining his self possession, he and the In
dian made tour of exploration. This
cave is about ono mile in length, $50 feet
in width, aud seventy feet high. The in
terror Of this immense grotto is arched
similar to an old Gothic church; supported
by large a'abastcr like pillars, en.wined By
heavy golden and silver wire of the dmen-
sions mans finger, like the growth ofiyy,
and in stylo Of grandeur and masnifcence
that could never be produced by human
hands. Those pillars seem to havo been
pcaed in position by ptovidcnt nainro, to
support the heavy ceilings of the gr0tto
incrusted By thousands of tons Of gold and
silver wire and ingots wrought into the most
fantastic shapes. Besides the incalculabe
treasures, this vast cave contains chambers
and dome of tho most grotesquo arohitectu'
raj designs, marvellous avenues and little
lakes, tho latter alive with fish of every
color of the rainbow, gorgeous and inde.
scribablc sight, indeed.
This all reads like an improbable tale but
Grant VOWS that his statement is one Of
absolute veracity from Alpha to Omega.
One of tho most unaccountablo features
about this cave is tho unnatural light at
night, which, Graz says, is not phospho
resoent, Che being somewhat of scientist, J
and the unhcard of and impenotrabo darb.
ness during tho day. Grant asserts that
there are millions upon millions of pure gold
and silver in that vault, and he means to
share them with those who have been kind
to him in bygono days IIo is now en-
route for Louisville, Ky, and has with him
several hundred pounds of gold, takon from
the cave, to seek QUE somo of his old friends,
whom he will bring out here as early as
possible.