The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-06-09
LOST IN A CAVERN.
A Rash Expedition Into the
Bowels Of the Earth.
A Plunge Into Total MISUNDERSTANDING
About In Mortal Terror for Thirty
Six Hours Before Making IN
Escape.


Six Hours Before Making an
Escape.
Along the Rio Grande. in the south
western portion of Texas. the country
presents q series of hills, mountains,
ravines and canyons. Huge masses of
rocks, mammoth in their proportions.
jut out over dizzy precipices. as il
thrown up by some mighty CONFUSION
of nature. 1t has vast territorial
area of unfenced, sparsely populated
country, owing to its unproductive
soil. It is to-day what it will be half
century hence-nothing but vast and
indifferent pasture land, for its impov-
erished soil scarcely supports the
scanty tufts of grass that have con-
sumptive hue. and seem to gather SUBJ
sistence by stretching from Granny to
Granny. One will find here narrow
assures penetrating deeply into the
earth, and tunneled caves connected
with one another by series of pas
sages varying in extent Riding over a
plateau one will come suddenly upon
vast holes twenty or thirty feet in cir
cumfercnce-one which measured be-
ing more. than $50 feet deep and having
q subterranean cavern at the bottom
which has never been explored.
While riding along one of those deep
canyons characteristic of the country
was attracted by massive cluster of
powders that seemed to be literally
covered with fungus growth of pend
ent vines, bearing blossoms with petals
of aromatic odor. Chapota bushes and
the never-fail;ng soto plant stood be-
side this mass of rock, while a Spanish
dagger-plant. like lone and solitary
sentinel. seemed to guard the entrance
of what discovered to be the mouth of
cave. 1t was one OF those sultry days
in spring. and the silence of death
seemed to brood over hill and canyon.
The semi-tropical region is blessed
through the sultry days with delightful
breezes, but occasionally there comes a
day so quiet that the silence is oppres-
sivc. Such was the eventful day when
Istaked my horse in that lonely canyon.
Taking from the side OF my saddle a
small lantern. started to the cave.
Through crags and tangle made my
way. my route being necessarily cir
cuitous, owing to the precipitous nature
of The canyon.
The mouth of the cavern reckoned
to be fully forty feet in circumference.
It was veritable Delphos. quaint and
ghost-like with its caverns. seemingly
fit for the seven sleepers of legendary
lore, or the great Boabdil and his sleep
ing host, who will some day awake to
restore the glory of the Moors. With
lantern in hand / entered this vaulted
chamber. had no desire to go far
but / was lured by some strange in.
fatuation. My course at first led mt
down rather steep incline; my direc
ton was then changed to an almos,
right angle. New beauties met me al
every point, which / stopped to admire
with hearty appreciation. Masses o
beautifully hanging stalactites lik
icicles hung in pendant masses, spark
ling like myriads of stars through tn
faint CLEAN Of my lantern. Stalagmite
of pyramidal shape in many place
touched the sparkling mass above
forming one solid pillar that glistene,
like gems of the Orient reached on
chamber of remarkable beauty whic
had several passages leading in differ
emit directions. / Hooked around me t
mark familiar objects, for the awfu
solitude and loneliness Of the plac
startled me. l had been walking stead
lily for fully half an hour To max
assurance doubly sure, I took from M
pocket an old letter. and tearing 1t i
pieces. strewed it along the passag
that would give me exit ! then chos
one of the passages, and moved slowl
on with my lantern slightly raised. an
my hand on my revolver, peerin
cautiously around at every object darl
ly outlined by the fiickering light
The atmosphere was oppressive. an
the passage rugged and laborious.
stopped to consider whether or not
proceed. What had to gaine Trul
] had found wonderful cavern, br
why not wait for moro opportune tim
to explore itp Twas alone, and If
should lose my way! But such though
were idle. How could i lose my way
would go but short distance an
then retrace my steps and seek II
bright sunshine again. ! started ono
mara nv ,,onfa leading deener into II