, 1889-05-23
R DAYS IN A TOMB.
TWO MEN LOST IN AN AFRICAN UN-
DERGROUND LABYRINTH.

Faithful Newfoundland Dog.
The city of Pretoria, capital of the Trans
wal, South Africa, is located In a most benu-
tiful spot 1t stands In a valley between two
ranges of mountains clothed with rich, dark
verdure all the year round.
Vines loaded with ripcning grapes, monthly
ross and pomegrnnates forming a blaze OF
bloom amidst the flood OF sunshine simmer
ing like golden winter. Under these noun
tain ranges are vast caverns, only a fcw Of
which have been entered, and these only part
ly explored
These caves are the original Haggards
caves Of the Amnhaaga, in which the wonder
full "She" dwelt and ruled. Right under this
mountain and through these dark cavcrns
runs a cloar, sparkling river Of wnter.
The source Of this river, which furnishes the
water supply for this city, hns never been dis
covered A curious fact is that its winters are
highest during the dry season. This points to
the theory TINT 1t 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 n strange
kind OF crabs and Holsters, all Of which have
no eyes. This species Of aquatic animals hhv-
ing bcen bred in and inhabited this dark Sly
gian stream for thousands OF years, have
never Ind my uso for eyes, pnd 80, after
AlAul btlitl AlAblAH, AAAhb oIEhu Llhl tllAlItll
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 It's maze and
wero 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 tho bowels
Of the earth:
Mr.. J. H Leroy, of tho Northern Pacific
RAILWAY Of the United States of America;
Mr.. John Sidney and two Indies, 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 tho entrance, which is very
narrow, with difficulty. Going a few yards
VIC found 1t necessary TO light the lamps.
Proceeding we found on each sid of the main
passage numerous Sideways and alleys mp
parontly hewn out of the solid rock.
All around there were evidences of the
caves being inhabited by swarms of bats
Witch constantly kept flying in our faces
Pursuing our way for n considerable time, we
came 10 n spot where tho roof Of the cavern,
hitherto lofty, slanted down, gradually be-
coming lower and lower until we were unable
10 walk erect
Finally We came to where tho hoor was on
nn inclined plane and got more head room.
We then descended n steep hill, at the foot OF
which WINS n dead wall which completely
barred further progress in that direction.
On tho right hand n narrow passage pro
sented itself just wide enough TO permit of
our walking Indian flo. The air, hitherto
cool md bracing, became damp and "A cold
c.aInmy dow settled ON our faces.
To tho sides of the nnssapo clung N polo
Shiny, snake-like substance which to the touch
produced n shivery sonso of nbhorrcnco. We
began 10 wish ourselves well out of the under
taking. However, being in, there was moth
ing for it but TO go on.
We walked up this passage n 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 n width OF fifty feet, md tho
four narrow ones about four feet each.
Under our feet could he heard n sound MS Of
the running Of a river and tho violent break
ing Of water upon rocks We could perceive
no mode of descent, and tho ground under our
feet seemed solid
Being weary, and tho Indies somewhat faint,
We resolved to go back, altogether disap-
pointed with the result Of our exploration.
However, before starting again wo refreshed
ourselves with the victuRls We had brought
md, fortified by n few druughts of capo
sherry, felt our spirits rise, and curiosity
MS to the cause of tho sound under our feet
getting the better of our Judgment wo began
searching for q way to descend, md finally
found a place where thero were stone steps at
Irregular intervals.
AN UNPLEASANT ITUATIoN.
Sidney and / descended, leaving Leroy md
tho ladies above. We followed these steps
for about fifty feet, The descent was very
difficult Tho light OF tho lantern grew fec
bic. However, we arrived on n broad plat
form OF level ground.
Tho sound of the water had 10y this timo
increased to that of a roaring torrent, and on
our left we saw the black, inky stream rush
ing past We sounded and found tho river
very deep and old.
Passing along the bank tho mir becamo
heavier still, and tho lamp, which had been
burning more feebly, went out altogether.
Breathing became very difficult, owing to tho
absence OF oxygen.
In this dreadful place and In total darkness
wo were stumbling about trying to find tho
steps, by which 10 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 l do not know.
On awakening, with n great effort we
AINhNh OulStlNtSt mn llllu1 MT on n pass
age, which wo followed. As we went tho
noise of tho waters became less audible, and
finally VIC lost the sound altogether. Still,
there WINS no ray Of light; nothing but thick
darkness and n noisome, pestilential air.
We groPed about for hours from one pass-
age to another amidst q silence deep and
dreadful The sound OF our voices appeared
unnnturally loud, and echoing through tho
vaults gave the impression that the plnco wns
haunted by counties demons Eo were mock
ing our distress
Quito exhausted by exertion, anxiety and
want OF food, we sank down in despair, Civ.
ing ourselves up for lost After n time, how
ever, we determined to make another effort
for life.
We found that tho lamp would now keen
lighted. This gave us fresh hope and enabled
US to see our way about We made better
progress along the darksome passage and
soon were overjoyed at seeing my faithfu,
Newfoundland dog jumping and bounding
toward us
We now knew we were saved. Following
the dog, which seemed to have n correct view
of the situation, we soon discovered a streal
of light at the entrance TO tho cave. tn,
spirit Of enterprise being damped by thre,
days spent In the tombs, we resolved In oul
minds not lightly to make another attemnt ot