The New York herald., 1878-11-28
Further Exploration Where the Sun
Never Shines.
SURVEYING THE ROUTE.
How New Discoveries Are Being Made
in the Cave.
F WING IN WAR DS.

s~~ SASos Sascru thdt ls featAaDlc ny any nibu VI
movement short OF flying. have explored the place
from attic to subcellar with attention to detail
that leaves little chance of space ten feet square
escaping notice. 1t is therefore time that should
give the reader general description of the whole
adding at appropriate places III the narrative such
comments are necessary to call attention to par
tlcular features OF truly wonderful cavern.
The ordinary visitor-that is to say. one who
merely 'sees" the cave, and s led from place to
place by . guide, and is mystfed by the many
turnings and Intersections Of the paths. the rising
here and descending there, the low-roofei sections
where the track is lost. apparently under ledge. the
Fantastic reflections and great obscuritiescan form
no correct idea Of the general direction Of his route
It is possible to bring him by many entrances into
the same chamber and he will not recognize it. The
effects produced by the candle lights the forma-
lions around him will be changing that the same
object viewed from different sides and under different
lights and shadows viii appear one from each
point of observation. have been frequently de-
reved myself in this way although very familiar with
the cave and its winding paths and strange figures
shat can imagine how hopelessly lost id the maze
visitor would be who strayed from his guide lost
bis light Beside the serious inconvenience of diff
hcuty in such place there is also great danger to
be apprehended the dazed wanderer runs the
risk of tumbling down into the CULTS that yawn in
many places, and which large and deep enough to
silence effectuay the cries of the victim. For
funately the rules governing the movement and con-
duct of visitors prepared and enforced by the pro-
prietors. Campbell and Stebbns. are so well calcu
lated to insure the safety OF the first as well Us the
propriety of the second that visit be made to
the cave with certainty of its being highly en-
loyable.
SURVEYING THE ROUTE.
To satisfy myself, however, on the question of the
relations Of various chambers and the general direc
hon of the drainage which relieves the cavern Of
water. have run lines by compass through the pass
sges. and have established in satisfactory way the
proximity of apparently widely separated sections
This was very interesting operation and had to be
conducted with considerable circumspecton both on
account of the difficulty in getting parts of
the line and the senstiveness of compass needle to
tho influence Of metallic substances. To give an in
stance Of the latter found very that could not
bring one Of the tin rcaectors holding candles near
render an observation useless. The intense dark
ness demanded good light but was
forced to read the divided circle holding
candle in my hand. and getting good deal of it's
dripping grease o costume more servceable
than picturesque. As the roof ia very low in places
It is necessary to lie fat to get sight with the
pass resting on the ground. Sometimes in this posi-
tion and sometimes perched on a stalagmite ran
The lines until the farthest chamber of tho main floor
was reached and the apartments sketched as pro-
seeded, very curious and sometimes striking ef-
feet was produced by setting the single ranging can
die away among the stalacttes in large chamber
The solitary starlike light shonc in the midst Of the
immense blackness its ray3 family iumi the
lips Of near formations and giving tho idea that it
was milo away. The eye could not
he
looked like palpable curtain shutting
from view some mysterious beyond which hid
secrets not for human knowledge. can readily un-
derstand why the first explorers were. described
In the early letters published in tho HERALD. awe
struck by the vague immensely of the spaces into
which they hal not ventured. 1t only by degrees
that proportions and distances could be appreciated
and known. for every forward step was one OF ex-
trene caution and doubt as to its consequences.
Where the passages carried on bridges over
chasms, or down stairways into considerable depths
great risk was run in the first exploration because
smooth and slippery surfaces had to be passed
under conditions of light that rendered every
thing uncertain and alarming. Too much
credit cannot be given to Andrew Campbell
and his assistants for venturing into these
gloomy recesses. / have that man penetrate
openings in the rock that rabbit would seemingly
unknown depths where hand or foot slip would
undoubtedly be followed by fatal consequences He
and have searched for openings leading laterally
from the very bottom Of tho big chasm. and into
every one found Campbell boldly crawed or climbed
In search of new chambers. disappointment fire.
quenty resulted. but he has bcen even when cxplor.
ing with only myself for companion. rewarded by
'Ands" Of great beauty and considerable extent
CAVE Is EXPLORED
Let me give brief sketch Of an exploration. We
start to the end Of the cave reachab,c by
visitors and guides. There leaving our ex.
ira supplies of candles and such things az
may prove cumbersome to carry through narrow
places make brief survey of the of
our starting point By the way costumes gra
worth describing. Campbell wears over his work
ing clothes pair of tough blue jean trousers
strapped tightly around his waist. Over his body he
draws rough check shirt stained with many = mud
pach but 1t has resisted the staactites bravely and
Is not badly torn. A close fitting cap Is drawn down
to his ears these useful organs being left
because they must be ready to catch the sounds
peculiar to our work. II hole in the floor IL found
piece OF rock is first dropped into it, and M often
happens. can be heard rolling down a steep de-
clivity below, falling directly with resoupd.
ing splash into water. TO Judge of the depth
Of the hole must lie with our cars close
to II, ana hear every sound that is made by the fall
ing or rolling stone. Therefore Campbell keeps his
ears open and can hear the falling drops of water
from hidden stalactites in places where no one but
an expert would dream they forming. Ny own
costume is scarcely more slightly than Campbells.
short and old blue coat. which. by the way is now
In tatters, buttoncd tightly pair of blue jean
overals that cannot be called blue now they are
a uniform mud color and worstcd cap with thick
crown, to my head from the spear-iike pendants
that stud the roof. In my pockets carry notebook
ani pencil. thermometer and sometimes small
supply OF biscuit and meat to make lunch in the
most convenient hole that we can find
when we get hungry. There Is plenty of
water, clear as crystal. TO be had, and this
serves as the only beverage, for Luuy is 40
'earfuly temperate in its principles that Murphy
himself would have to go through probationary
course VI bull-ncck beef and bad coffee before hc
gould qualify az a lecturer to such a community.