River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-12-07
Brfahan.. the Care-Doa.

wa 60 q AA@DAANtO "a GNe~~A@NN~ ~
me the odd name given to the dog: eve
call him Brigham-'cause he's young,
you knowl"
This creature is remarkable for but
one thing, and that is his fondness for
life below ground. He seems at home
among the elves and gnomes. an APP
pears to have no fear of darkness.
Jack, the old dog, with Brigham, the
new one, will trot, side by side, as far as
the Iron Gate. But there they part.
Jack, as usual, returns to the hotel but
Brigham advances, pushing ahead of
the guides, choosing his own path, di-
crossing now and then, yet always re-
turning in safety to the light of the
lamps.
Brigham and became fast friends,
during my fortnight's stay at Mammoth
Cave, last summer. The gentle dignity
with which he sought to aid my UNDER
ground researches was very amusing.
Brigham was a great favorite with the
manager of the cave, who particularly
warned us not to lose him; for it was
feared that the dog would be unable to
find his way ont again. Other ours that
had been left behind invariably staid in
the place where they had become lost,
not daring to stir, but yelping and howl
ing till help came.
The dreaded accident happened at
last. We went one day on what is called
the Long Route, to the end of the cave,
said to be nine miles from the entrance
and Brigham went with us. We left the
main cave at the Giants Coffin, by an
arched way, leading among some pits,
the most famous of which has long been
known as the Bottomless Pit. My
guide, however, measured it, and found
it exactly 105 feet deep. There are six
pits in all at this place, two of them
lately discovered. We named them
Scylla and halybdis-because, in try
ing to keep cut OF one, You are in danger
of falling into the other. These We
measured, finding them to be more than
200 feet deep.
Brigham did not like the pits very
well. 1t was only by much coaxing that
we led him across the narrow bridge
thrown over the Bottomless Pit. But,
indeed, we all were glad to get away
from that dangerous place.
We went through the "Fat Mans
Misery" and entered River Hall, where
there are several deep lakes. Presently
we came to Echo river, about thirty feet
deep. from twenty to 200 feet wide, and
three-fourths of mile long. Getting
into q boat we padded our way over the
clear, cold water, waking the echoes
from the steep, rocky walls, Brigham
helping with some lively barking.
Presently, we landed on nice, sandy
beach at the farther end.
Poor Brigham became very tired, and
cared less for the lovely arches of flow
er-like crystals than for some coy nook
where he might curl down for nap. At
length, after taking lunch with us in
Washington Hall, he started in chase OF
n cave-rat, and probably awaited himself
of tho chance to take his siesta. At all
events, he disappeared and made no
answer to our calls.
perhaps he has gone ahead to Echo
river" said I, "and is waiting for us
there.
Like enough" said William, the
guide. 81 hadn't thought of that"
But no bounding form nor joyful bark
welcomed our approach. The echoes
answered our calls. uREl it seemed as if
thousand voices were crying, Brig
ham, Brigham p in every conceivable
tone, from the softest whisper to the
deepest bass; and our whistling was, in
like manner, repeated, until it seemed
rs if all the spirits of the cave had been
let loose for an Holian concert.
Plainly, the dog was lost. William
thought Brigham might track us as far
as the river; but that on reaching the
water he surely would lose the SCENT
and would not try to swim across.
Lighting freshly-flled lamp, William
set it on ledge, so that In case the dog
should come thus far he might not feel
too lonely.
Sadly we returned to the hotel, where
orr announcement of the loss caused a
sensation the ladies especially declaring
it perfectly dreadful to leave the poor
thing alone in that horrible cave all
night AS if it were darker there at
midnight than at noon
Early the next morning, a party OF
explorers crossed Echo river. and were
met by Brigham. The guide reasoned
with him, as one might reason with q
runaway child, and tenderly took him
in his arms aboard the boat.
Alas, the warnings were wasted For.
almost as soon as we had landed. that
oapricious eave-dog disappeared again ;
and. as before, refused to obey our loud
est summons. Compassion was now
mixed with indignation, and we left him
to his fate.
Nothing was seen of him all that day :
and this time, of deliberate choice, he
remained a second night under ground.
And now comes. perhaps, the strang-
est part OF my story. On the following
morning, Jack, too. was missing. The
guides had to dispense with their GUS
tomary canine escort. On arriving,
however, at the Iron Gate, 300 yards
within the cave. they found Jack just
outside, and Brigham behind the bars,
and there the dogs stood, wagging their
tails, and occasionally exchanging the
news
Our curiosity led us to examine Brig