Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-06-11

vet described. Its greatest lcngtl
was from W. to L. and it seemed
to run nearly parallel to the patti
over which we have Just travelled
From its length we are induced tC
believe that it approached very
near the Ball room with which il
might communicate, by some yet
undiscovered passage. SO strong
~ were we impressed with this
idea, that we determined, if practi-
cable, to ascertain how far we were
correct. For this purpose set my
watch exactly with my brothers,
and requested him to 90 to the Ball
room and pursue as far as possible,
n low passage that leads to the
right, from the foot of the French
mans hill, while went to the
eastern extremity of this immense
apartment. Att an appointed mo-
ment | fired pistol-but the only
answer was the deafening rever-
bcratiOns of the sound rolling like
thunder along the lofty arches. |
ShOuted-but no return met my ear
save the hollow echo of my own
voice, and | began to think we had
been hasty in our opinion. At this
moment a beautiful stalactite
sparkled in the light of the candle,
and | forgot my desire so discover
an unknown passage, IN my anxiety
to secure this prize. Taking the
butt of the pistol, ! hammered
gently upon II to disengage it from
the rock where it hung. was sur
prised to hear the taps distinctly
answered apparently from the
centre of the solid rock, and q
repetition of the blow brought a
repetition of the answer. After
comparing our Impressions, we
were satisfied there cOuld be but
little space between the two rooms.
We have fingered so long in
these Internal Regions, (a) that we
must hasten back to the spot
whence we diverged in the centre
Of Congress Hall. Our course now
lies to the S. W. up a perpendicu-
lar ascent Of seventeen feet to
what is called the Lobby. From
this place, an expert climber may
pass through secret passages and
bye rooms to the end of the Cave,
without once entering the main
path. You have ascended to the
! Lobby only 10 descend again on
/ the other side, when you reach the
most magnificent apartment in the
whole Cave.
This is Washington's Hall, so
called in token Of respect for the
memory of our Country's Father,
and is worthy Of bearing the name.
It's length is two hundred and
ffty.seven feet-its breadth from
ten TO twcnty-its height thirty
three. and it is remarkably level
and straight through the whole
length. Not far from the centre of
this room, is an immense deposit
of calcarcons matter rising to the
height Of six or seven feet, which
strikingly resembles a statue cloth
ed in drapery. This is Washing
toms Statue, and few can look up
on it as seen by the dim light OF
two or three candles which rather
stimulate than repress the magma
ton, without experiencing q sensa-
ton of solemnity and awe, as If
they were actually in the presence
OF the mighty dead.
By ascending a bank, near the
entrance of five or six feet perpen
dicular height, you enter another
room called the Theatre, from the
fact that different parts of it cor
respond to the stage, gallery and
pit. notice this room, which Ii
otherwise uninteresting, for the
purpose of mentioning a circum
stance, related to me by Mr.. Bryan
a former guide, which confirms al
opinion that | have long entertain
ed, that the whole Cave is thorough
" ventilated by some unknown
communication with the upper
air. About six years since
: during a heavy and protracted rail-
which raised the waters OF thu
South River that flows at the bot
tom of the caye.hill, to an un
precedented height, Mr.. b. con
E Quoted a company through th'
, Cave. AS he ascended the Stair
that lead to the Lobby, he heart
the slush of water fearing that the
Cave was flooding, he directed tho
visitors to remain in Congress
Hall, while he investigated the
cause of the unusual and alarming
noise. Cautiously descending in
to Washington's Hall, he followed
the sound until he arrived opposlt,
to the entrance of the Theatre, IL
which he saw column of water
pouring from the ceiling into the
pit, and losing itself in the numer
Gus crevces that abound. When
the rain ceased, the flood was
stayed, and it has never been re-
peated; but even at fhe present
time, small pebbles and gravel
resembling that found on the top OF
the hill, may be seen in the Theatre.
No aperture is visible from within,
neither has any perforation been
discovered on the surface of the
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