Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-11-01

head, and there were three fins on
each side Of the body between the head
and the tail. which was long and thin,
like the tail OF a sparrow. The fish
were light in color and their bodies APP
peare1 To be transparent rs the light
was held near them. Their decaying
bodies filled the shaft with an almost
unbearable stencil, and the party, with
the lower part of their faces buried in
their hands hurried out
At the farther end OF the shaft was
found wide ere vice, extending from
the bottom upward toward the tor
The crevice was about six feet wid&
and evidences indicated that the earth
quake shock had rent the wall of the
mine, and through this aperture ha0
rushed the pent-up waters of the sub
terranean river until their force was
spent Through this crevice came the
kissing and splashing sound, and care
fully on their hands and knees through
the mud the explorers crept through
the stream and sliding down short
decline, found themselves standing on
a narrow ledge of rock that extended
out into a torrent of water, the width
of which could not be ascertained. OPP
posite this ledge Il sharp spur OF rock
extended out OF the darkness, and
against this the water rushed, giving
out the smashing sound that could be
heard at the mouth Of the shaft. Hold
ing their lanterns aloft the explorers
beheld n sight that brought an sxcla-
nation OF surprise to every lip.
About fifteen feet above their heads
hung the arched roof OF the cavern or
channel through which the water was
rushing, and in the light OF the lanterns
it threw back dazzling shower of
coruscations 1t was like vast geoue,
the roof and sides being covered with
jagged disqualification blending the del
icate tint of amethystine blue with the
pure white OF the pearl. In the glare
OF the lanterns the roof and walls
flashed like the walls Of "a crystal pal
ace. The water that came out of the
darkness and rolled by at the feet of
the party was OF whitish tint, and to
the taste gave the impression that it
was strongly impregnated with alkali.
Hundreds of the strange fish seen in
the shaft were attracted to the ledge
by the light of the lantern, and their
bodies twisted like serpents as they
held their own against the tide and
glared at the lanterns with their bulg-
ing eyes.
As the party moved slowly along the
edge to the left it gradually widened.
About seventy-five feet from the crew
ice through which the party had enter
ed the cavern the river had taken a
sudden turn and rushed with "A loud
roar over what appeared to be spur
of rock and down a deep declivity.
Further investigation in this direction
was prevented by wall OF rock that
ran across the end of the ledge, evil
IDENTITY turning the water from its
course. 4 strong draft of wind swept
through the passage at intervals threat
ening to eXtinguish the lights OF the
lanterns. The lanterns were held aloft
at the edge OF the ledge, but nothing
could be seen at this point but the
most intense darkness. The ledge on
which the explorers stood was of "a
hard, flinty nature, and in IL, at inter-
walls of about five feet, appeared curious
imprints as OF the feet of some strange
animal.
As the party proceeded along the
ledge to the right OF the crevice it
gradually grew narrower and the roof
OF the cavern descended so that it be-
came necessary for the members OF the
party to stoop down as thoy advanced.
After going in this direction about fifty
feet the roof was so low and the ledge
so narrow they were obliged TO return.
The imprints in the ledge were
closely studied and there were found to
he two varieties. One was made 10
OF three toes like that OF great bird.
the middle toe measuring seven inches.
The other impression was like the
hand OF a man in shape, but OF enor-
nous breadth, measuring eighteen
inches across the palm. These i'm
prints resemble those of the labyrin-
thondon. an antediuvian animal sup
posed by scientists TO have resembled
a huge frog.
After an hours stay in the cavern
the party came out and returned to
the camp The conclusion arrived at
by those who visited the shaft is that
there had been a subterraneau reser-
voir beyond the end Of the shaft for
years, and that the earthquake rent
the wall, giving liberty TO the waters
that flowed through the crevices into
the shaft and down the canyon until
the surplus was exhausted.
The same CONFUSION of the earth
probably widened the bed OF the river.
and the river now flows steadily on
from its source to its mouth, wherever
they may be. 1t is evident from the
formation of the cavern, the footprints
and other indications, that at some
day in the past there has been n ter
rible upheaval of the earth at this
point.
4 legislators Snake.
Mr.. Gordon. a member OF the