Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-06-26
IN TOTAL DARKNESS.
Lost for Three Days I'm an Undergrour
Labyrinth In Africa.

Labyrinth In Africa.
The city Of Pretoria, capital OF the Trans
vaal, South Africa, is located in a most
beautiful spot. 1t stands in valley be-
tween two ranges of mountains clothed
with rich, dark verdure all the year round,
vines loaded with ripening grapes, monthly
roses and pomegranates forming blaze Of
bloom amidst the food of sunshine SHIN
mering like golden water. Under these
mountain ranges are vast caverns, only a
few of which have been entered, and these
only partly explored.
These caves are the original Haggard's
caves Of the Amahaaga, in which the won
derf1 ''She" dwelt and fuled. Right under
this mountain and through these dark
ravines runs clear sparkling river Of wa
ter The source of this river, which fur
nishes the water supply for this city, has
never been discovered. A curious fact is
that its waters are highest during the dry
season. This points to the theory that it is
fed by rain, and that these rains do not
reach the river until about four or FIVE
months after they fall.
This river is inhabited by fish and a
strange kind of crabs and Holsters, all Of
which have no eyes. This species of aquatic
animals having been bred in and inhabited
this dark Stygian stream for thousands of
years, have never had any use for eyes,
and so, after many generations, that organ
had entirely disappeared from their struct-
ure.
Some friends Of mine, two ladies and
three gentlemen, went on an exploring ex-
petition through this cavern, got lost in its
maze and were three days before they found
their way back to the outer world, writes a
correspondent Of the Omaha Bee. Mr..
Saunders, of the American Consulate at
Cape May, thus relates their experience
while In the bowels of the earth:
'Mr. ]. II. Leroy, Of the Northern Pacific
railway Of the United States of America !;
Mr.. John Sidney and two ladies, Miss Web
ster and Miss Gootch, and myself started to
explore the Fountain Cave. Armed with
two lamps and provisions enough for two
meals, we started We got through the
entrance, which is very narrow, with diff
Guilty. Going few yards we found it nee
essary to light the lamps. Proceeding we
found on each side of the main passage
numerous sideways and alleys apparently
hewn out Of the solid rock.
"An around there were evidences Of the
caves being inhabited by swarms of bats
which constantly kept flying in our faces.
Pursuing our way for considerable time,
we came to spot where the roof of the
concern, hitherto lofty, slanted down, grad
ually becoming lower and lower until we
were unable to walk erect. Finally we
| came to where the floor was on an inclined
plane and got more head-room. We then
descended a.steep hill, at the foot OF which
was dead wall which completely barred
further progress in that direction On the
right hand narrow passage presented it
self just wide enough to permit of our
| walking Indian file. The air, hitherto cool
| and bracing, became damp and g cold,
! clammy dew settled on our faces. To the
sides OF the passage chung pale, Shiny,
| snake-like substance which to the touch
| produced shiyery sense of adherence.
We began to wish ourselves we'll out of the
undertaking. However, being in, there
was nothing for 1t but to go on.
Eve walked up this passage a distance, /
should judge, of three hundred yards, when
we arrived at an octagonal court, from
which ran eight different passages, the
four main ones being about a width of fifty
feet, and the four narrow ones about four
feet each. Under our feet could be heard a
sound as of the running of river and the
violent breaking of water upon rocks. We
could perceive no mode of descent, and the
| ground under our feet seemed solid.
'Being weary, and the ladies somewhat
faint, we resolved to go back, altogether
disappointed with the result of our explora
ton. However, before starting again we
refreshed ourselves with the victuals we
had brought, and, fortified by few
! draughts of cape sherry, felt our spirits
rise, and, curiosity as to the cause of the
sound under our feet getting the better Of
our judgment, we began searching for
way to descend, and finally found place
where there were stone steps at irregular
intervals.
7 r
| and the ladies' above. We followed these
steps for about fifty feet The descent was
very difficult. The light of the Lantern
grew feeble. However, we arrived on {
broad platform Of level ground
''The sound Of the water had by this time
increased to that of roaring torrent, anC
on our left we saw the black, inlzy stream
rushing past We sounded, and found tbs
river very deep and cold. Passing alone
the banks the air became heavier still, anC
the lamp, which had been burning more
feebly, went out altogether. Breathing
became very difficult, owing to the absenct
of oxygen. In this dreadful place and IL
total darkness we were stumbling abou
trying to find the steps, by which to return
for hours, until, becoming quite weary, VIZ
sat down and fell into torpid, heavy sleep
How long we remained in this state do no
know, 49,
ION awakening, with great effort, W,
aroused ourselves, and finally hit on pas
sage, which we followed. AS we went thu
Disc Of the waters became less audible
and finally we lost the sound altogether
Stall, there was no ray Of light; nothing
bat thick darkness and a noisome, pestilen
tiai atr.
ssWe CROPPED about for hours from on
passage 70 another amidst silence dee
and dreadful. The sound of our voices ap
peared unnaturally loud, and eohoiu
through the vaults gave the impression
that the place was haunted by counties
demons who were hooking our distress.
"Quite exhausted by exertlon, anxiet
and wantof food, we sank down in despair
giving ourselves up for lost. After time
however, we determined to make anothe
effort for life. We found that the lam
would now keep lighted. This gave U
fresh hope and enabled Us to see our wa
about. We made better progress alon
the darksome passage and soon were over
joyed at seeing my faithful Newfoundlan
dog jumping and bounding toward us. W
knew we were saved. Following the dog
which seemed to have correct view of tn
situation, we soon discovered streak :
light at the entrance to the cave, Tn
spirit Of enterprise being damped by tire
days spent in the tombs, we resolved IN on
minds not lightly to make another attemE