San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-10-11

beautiful and graceful CONTRAST W wv
gray OF the limestone, aud falling on the
surface of the pool like a continuous
shower of rain. The surface under the
cliffs is orusted with stalactites in great
variety, and of all sizes, shapes ana
colors, some q pure white crystalized
formation, others gray, some tipped
with moss over which the carbonate OF
lime is incrusted, and others OF the most
delicate filagree work. On the north,
eastern side large portion OF the elm
has at some time given way and fallen
into the water, the upper surface OF
which isseveral feet above the water,
and afft rds an opportunity for examin..
ing the face of the cliff. Going severa!
hundred yards behind the pool
the party found point at which
they could descend into the gorge, and
by clambering over immense cypress
logs and roofs and crossing the little
stream several times, We made our way
to the lower edge of the pool and climb
ed upon the rocks. The view from this
point surpassed that from the top OF the
cliffs, and the overhanging rocks cast q
shadow far out into the water. From
the level of the pool the channel
runs on down between the high cliffs,
and the water winds its way among the
rocks, with a merry ripple, as if it telt
happy in running from a pool with
such CHASTITY title. One of our party
vsntured into the water on dilapltated
raft, and being very warm from exercise
took the cramp in his arms and had
considerable difficulty in getting out.
He succeeded in getting near enough to
the bank to reach a pole, and was drawn
out. There being no shade for camp,
we reluctantly left this beautiful place
and went on to the river, the ultimate
aim of our excursion. During the night
the fishermen were quite successful. oh,
tanning about one hundred pounds, and
for a while we teasted on fish. Tues"
day morning one of the hunters came 10
with a ine turkey and another reported
that he had wounded o Mexican lion.
Deer were very scarce, however, and the
hunters were anxious to get back to the
deer region, and as none OF US were
very much IN love with the place, there
were few regrets when we turned our
faces homeward. Still | would say to
every one who admires bold, wild scene.
ry and is fond of fish, to go by way OF
Dead Mans Hole to the Ferdinales.
We visited the Hole again on our return,
all supplying themselves with specimens
of the stalactites as momentoes OF the
place. Tuesday afternoon we visited
Dripping Springs, and came on and
camDed at a spring near the foot OF
Wallace mountain. Wednesday we re-
manned at the same point, and the party
made excursions to the top OF Wallace
Mountain, where is one OF those piles
of rocks which are occasionally found
on the tops Of these peaks, and are said
10 have been used as landmarks by the
Indians.
Thursday morning found us en- route
for Jacobs Well. The country being
similar to that already passed over, oo-
oupied but little Of our attention, 1t
being absorbed by the prior duty OF
keeping dry during heavy shower, as
Mother Nature seemed intent upon CIV
ing usa taste of all sorts of weather.
But before we reached the Well the
clouds blew away and the sun came out
as we reached the ridge overlooking the
beautiful, magnificent valley OF the
Blanco, which stretches away between
double and triple lines of terraced peaks
and hills until it is lost in the distance;
The Well was soon reached and called
forth expressions of wonder and admlra-
tion from the party, some of whom ad-
mired it more than the Hole, but L
think it falls far short of it in grandeur
and beauty. Situated in rocky chan
mel that is dry above it except in times
of freshets, is the circular depression IN
the rock, about twelve feet IN, diameter
and about forty or fifty feet in depth p,
out of which comes rushing a bold
stream of clear, cold water. The cur
rent is so strong that rock thrown IN
sinks to the bottom much as a leather
sinks through the air, and SO clear that
when the sun is shining into the we'll a
pin dropped into the water can be dis
tinctly seen until it reaches the bottom.
The sides of the we'll are Irregular IN
form, and beautifully ornamented with
moses and pebbles. On one side rocks
oyerhang the well, but on the other the
margin slopes away smoothly, and the
water goes singing and ripping away, a
stream more than half as large az the
San Marcos river at the town. In the
afternoon most of the excursionists made
the ascent of one of the Twin Sisters.
These sharp, conical peaks rise abrupt
~ out of the Blanco valley and form a
conspicuous object in the landscape from
any of the ridges overlooking the valley
Terraced in formation like the ridges
the terraces are high and narrow and run
entirely round the hills that arc com
pletely round, and the only way &c
make the ascent is TO climb straight ~
from one terrace to another until you
reach the top. The ascent IS very Ia
tiguing. but thaTiew from the top Is