The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-01-17
A INFLOW Escnpe.

A Narrow Escape.
The Echo Du Nord gives the narrative OF
an adventure which, save for providentiLl
chance, might have resulted in dreadful
termination to the parties most concerned.
Three young men OF Lille, on holiday ex'
ourslon. resolved TO explore the iamouBbub'
terranean recess ut Lezzines, and tor that
purpose sought one OF their friends, resi-
dent OF the locality. The friend referred
them to another individual, who proiessed
TO be well acquainted with the way through
the caves, and offered TO guide the visitors.
Provided with common candle OF small
size. and box OF matches, as II he was
merely going to look for something in the
cellar, the cicerone led the three young
meE confidently isto the very curious out
som etimes dangerously intricate under.
ground labyrinth. II did not need the gift
Of prophecy to see what occurred. AT first
the volunteer guide, who, after all, had but
very imperfect knowledge OF the tort
nous windings of the cavern depths,
found that he had lost his way, and,
becoming confused, strsyed hopelessly
about with his companions. Feeling more
at loss than ever, they perceived with dis
may that their candle was nearly burnt TO
the end, and this at last being entirely con.
sumed, recourse was had to the box OF
matches, which were lighted and burnt one
after the other until no more remained.
All the pieces OF paper they had about them
were consumed, then their pocket handker-
chiefs and all the linen they could spare
were put under contribution and burnt.
until they had nothing more about them
that would furnish the necessary illumina-
ton, and they were left in total darkness
and terror.
A seemingly interminable period OF sus-
pense, anxiety and fear succeeded, and the
feelings Of the explorers may be more read
lily imagined than described. Plunged in
the damp and pitchy gloom OF what APP
peared to be an immense sepulcher OF un-
known depth in the bowels of the earth,
without food, and probably doomed TO one
OF the most frightful forms of death, there
WAS but one hope remaining to them. The
that some one. the friend VIII o
had been left above included. who
might be cognizant of their descent
in the cavern and who would be-
pearance and institute search, seemed the
only chance of rescue reserved TO them.
To add to their spprehensions, they were
well aware of the sad fate which had be-
fallen NJ. Pue, the mushroom cultivator,
who had entered the same cavern In lSfs,
and had never returned 10 his home, or
been since found. Many weary hours were
long they must have appeared to the cap
tives. At length they could scarcely re.
press their tcreams of Joy at the
appearance OF faint glinmer-
Ing light in the far.off darkness, be-
tween the massive columns of chalk
that supported the root Of the limestone
cavern. The rush to the saving light was
msddened race for the beE;ghted explorers,
who, 10 their transports Of delight, encoun-
tered NJ. Matthias, q farmer of tho neighbor.
hood, who had descended the cavern to look
after his beds OF chicory roots. The thank
fulness of the whole party at their escape
from what might readily have proved liv-
ing death, will need no further recital, but
he recollection of their trip TO the caves OF
T.ezinnes will likely be engraved upon their
memories for many years to come.
sOs
Il C..,r,t &, ~ Tnnis-Gaptlornoy.