San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-08
THREE DAYS In A TOMB.
TWO MEN LOST IN AN AFRICAN UN-
DERGROUND LABYRINTH.
Left In Total Darkness in a Counterpart of
the Residence of Haggard's "She''-The
Mysterious Black River-Saved by a
Faithful Newfoundland Dog.


Faithful Newfoundland Dog.
The city of Pretoria, capital of the Trans
vaal, South Africa, is located in a most beau
tiful spot. 1t stands in a valley between 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 If sunshine simmer
ing like golden water Under these noun.
tain ranges are vast caverns, only few OF
which have been entered, and these only part
ly explored.
These caves are the original Haggards
caves of the Amahaaga, in which the wonder
full "She" dwelt and ruled. Right under this
mountain and through these dark caverns
runs a clear, sparkling river of water
The source of this river, which furnishes the
water supply for this city, has never been dis
covered 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 till about
four to 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 animalshav
ing been bred in and inhabited this dark Sly
gian stream for thousands of years, have
never had any use for eyes, and so, after
many generations, that organ had entirely
disappeared from their structure.
INTO THE BOWELS OF THE EARTH.
Some friends of mine, two ladies and three
gentlemen, went on an exploring expedition
through this cavern, got lost in its maze and
were three days before they found their way
back to the outer world. Mr. Saunders, of
the American consulate at Cape May, thus
relates their experience while in the bowels
of the earth:
Mr.. j. H. 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 difficulty. Going few yards
we found it necessary to light the lamps
Proceeding we found on each side of the main
passage numerous sideways and alleys ap
parently hewn out of the solid rock.
All around there were evidences of the
caves being inhabited by swarms of bats
which constantly kept flying in our faces
Pursuing our way for a considerable time, we
came TO q spot where the roof of the cavern.
hitherto lofty, slanted down, gradually be
coming lower and lower until we were unable
to walk erect.
Finally we came to where the floor was on
an inclined pla.e and got more head room.
We then descended steep hill, at the foot of
which was a dead wall which completely
barred further progress in that direction.
On the right hand narrow passage pre-
sented itself just wide enough to permit of
our walking Indian file. The air, hitherto
cool and bracing, became damp and cold
c.ammy dew settled ON our faces.
To the sides of the passage chung a pale,
Shiny, snake-like substance which to the touch
produced a shivery sense Of adherence. We
began to wish ourselves well out of the under
taking. However, being in, there was moth
irg for it but to go on.
We 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 width of fifty feet, and the
four narrow ones about four feet each.
Under our feet could be heard sound as of
the running of river and the violent break
ing 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 disap,
pointed with the result of our exploration.
However, before starting again we refreshed
ourselves with the victuals we he'd brought
and, fortified by a 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 n way to descend, and finally
found place where there were stone steps at
irregular intervals
AN UNPLEASANT SITUATION.
Sidney and descended, leaving Leroy and
the ladies above. We followed these steps
for about fifty feet. The descent was very
difficult The light of the Lantern grew fee
ble However, We arrived on broad plat
form of level ground.
The sound of the water had by this time
increased to that of roaring torrent, and on
our left we saw the black, inky stream rush
ing past. We sounded and found the river
very deep and cold.
Passing along the banks the air became
heavier still, and the lamp, which had been
burning more feebly, went out altogether.
Breathing became very difficult, owing to the
absence of oxygen.
In this dreadful place and in total darkness
we were stumbling about trying to find the
steps, by which to return, for hours, until be-
coming quite weary we sat down and fell into
a torpid, heavy sleep. How long we remain
ed in this state do not know.
On awakening, with a great effort we
aroused ourselves, and finally hit on pass
age, which we followed. As we went the
noise of the waters became less audible, and