Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-02-26
A RIDICULOUS ADVENTURE.

EDITOR INTELLIGENCER :-1n the
winter of 1857 l had business In West
Liberty, Morgan county, KY. Morgan
is one of the mountainous counties in the
eastern part of the state. Alter nay mis-
sion had been accomplished, I started
for tho blue grass regions, mounted on
q spirited black horse, Bascomb. About
one mile and one-halt sufficed to put me
beyond the settlements, on the bottom
lands lying on the north fork of Licking
river, and also to instill in me feeling
of insignifcance as l viewed the deep,
dark gorges. and the high mountain
ridges. As l was travelling pensively
along, about IL O'Clock, q. m. upon a
long high ridge that seemed to overlook
the balance Of the world. and enjoying
the grandeur of the scenery. the deep
gulches below, with scraggy slopes, or
namented with laurel. ivy. holly. pine
and cedar, with the blue mountain peaks
in the distance, approached a gap in
what appeared to have been a high point
in the ridge, cleft asunder, leaving q
space. of about one hundred and fifty
feet on level with the general grade,
the little travelled road nearing the right
side OF q perpendicular wall of rock,
some fifty to eighty feet high. While
wondering what mighty convulsion had
caused this accommodating separation,
l discovered dim path, leading directly
off to my left. through some small BUSH
es, apparently against the opposite
wall. What does this meanP l turned
my horse, and saw a round hole, even
with the ground, at the bottom Of the
wall, about two and half feet in diam
eter. There were many names scratch
ed on the outside of the wall. near the
hole.
1 dismounted. and tied my horse fast
to black hickory scrub, some seven or
eight feet high, and curiosity led me to
the hole, and caused me to stoop and
peep in. Finding the ceiling beyond
reach or sight, and hall with smooth
walls and about five feet wide. l crept
in, and stood upright. The walls were
covered with names and dates, scratch
ed with pebbles; some were Of persons
whom remember, one Of whom is now
living in Sedalia, Mo-, gray with age.
Invent still further. until the cave be-
came so dark could no longer read the
names. then thought the place, "grand,
gloomy and peculiar )" and how foolishlt
was to venture in by myself with nothing
to gain. This might be the abode of cut
throats, robbers, counterfeiters, bears,
panthers, wilo ats, ETC., and just then
God of heaven, what a noise 1t seemed
as ii all the demons from the lower re.
regions were coming at one time. This
was little too much for common flesh,
and blood and bone to bear.
backed as fast as I could. I could
not afford to turn my back on the ag-
gressors. 1 was ANXIOUS to see what
sort of thing was to get me first. go1
to the entrance, stopped low, "a king
dom for a horse" l went out back
ward. sklnning my overcoat tail ovel
my head, and when Strengthened ant
looked for my horse Bascomb. he wa
almost down to the ground, with hi
legs shot forward, his head in straigh
line with his neck. eyes almost popped
out, testing the strength of halter, bush
roots and all. He had never seen M
approach him so hastily in that manner
My hair felt like the qullls of porcu
pine. After getting out in broad day
light, the whole thing was explained
The horse had commenced trampin
aronnd over the rocks. near the entranc
to the cave. the sound echoing from
crack within the cave. and that was all
united my horse with palsied hand.
mounted and rode off, feeling like
fool, almost sick, and did not enjo
mountain scenery, food or anything els
for three days. &.
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